De Vlaeminck disappointed that Van der Poel works for Philipsen in major rounds: "As world champion, you have to try yourself"

Van der Poel is not part of Alpecin-Deceuninck's eight-man Vuelta a España squad and is preparing differently for the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, where he will try to defend his title. The 29-year-old Dutchman will likely ride only the Renewi Tour before that world championship.

Van der Poel's most recent race was the Tour de France, where he was riding around rather anonymously for what he was doing - we have to be honest. The rainbow jersey showed in the gravel stage, but he couldn't make his mark there either. Thus, the conclusion has been drawn here and there that Van der Poel and big tours - leaving aside positive exceptions - are not a good match for the time being.

Has Matje already ridden his last grand tour? De Vlaeminck thinks not. "I think it's unfortunate that he has to pull the sprint for Jasper Philipsen. As a world champion, you have to try to win those stages yourself," he tells the Dutch sports magazine.

"I am angry about it because I am a fan of Van der Poel, after all," Monsieur Paris-Roubaix continued. "When you see him riding in the last 200 meters, I am convinced he can win bunch sprints himself." The former superstar, therefore, hopes that he will be at the start of a Grand Tour more often. "Why isn't Mathieu more frequently at the start of a Grand Tour? I hope Mathieu will start the Tour again in the future. He will have to race for himself a bit more."