Dutch cycling shows severe flaws: "Besides Van der Poel, we are running out of options"
Cycling
It is a true spectacle two-thirds of the way through the Vuelta a España. The Spanish three-week is the most unpredictable Grand Tour of the season, and every day, a new, often challenging stage promises the necessary entertainment. Yet one thing stands out: the Dutch contribution seems to get a little less each year. Something to worry about? Yes, thinks former podium finisher in the Tour Erik Breukink.
This Vuelta a España, of course, we had Thymen Arensman as our asset in play. However, the young man from Betuwe soon lost a lot of time and later dropped out. Partly because of this, we hardly see any Dutch input at the front in the final stage of the Tour. "There are many different nationalities who have won stages. I count nine already like that. However, the big one that is absent from the whole story is the Netherlands. Not a single stage did you feel a compatriot could win," Breuk clarified in De Telegraaf.
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Not just this Vuelta a España, but overall a negative spiral for Dutch cycling
In Sam Oomen and Gijs Leemreize, the former rider points out two men doing nicely this round, although they are playing a role on the sidelines. Stage wins remain far out of reach. "Not to mention the GC. Dutch best classification rider Thymen Arensman was not doing well from day one. In the end, he dropped out of the race sick. Unfortunately, I detect a negative trend regarding Dutch results in the big races."
And there's something to that. Between 2016 and 2021, at least one rider from the Netherlands rode among the best five in a grand tour every year. Steven Kruijswijk, Wilco Kelderman, and Tom Dumoulin made it to the podium. Dumoulin won the Giro in 2017, whereas Kelderman finished third in 2020. The Limburger also mounted the Tour podium in 2018, and Kruijswijk did so a year later. The latter hasn't cycled for the GC for years, while Kelderman is now also a frequent helper.
"If we leave the Mathieu van der Poel phenomenon out of consideration for a moment, then I only see top results from "our" sprinters Olav Kooij and Dylan Groenewegen. Overall, it's all declining," Breukink refers in particular to the generation with Bauke Mollema, Robert Gesink, Kruijswijk, and Dumoulin, who for a long time as a small group were almost entirely responsible for the Netherlands' cycling success.
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Netherlands soon falling behind Belgium, which is reaping success
So what is missing? A thoughtfully designed plan, the analyst thinks. He points back to the Rabobank period. "This sponsor was there for the wide scope of Dutch cycling to give young cyclists many opportunities. That is exactly what we are missing now. It might not be all that noticeable yet, but in the long run, it might become a problem."
Finally, Breukink looks at his southern neighbors with admiration. Remco Evenepoel is a double Olympic champion and came third in the Tour. Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier are two matadors in the sprint. Not to mention the up-and-coming talent in classics and tours. "I, therefore, look jealously at Belgium, where they are currently successful on all fronts. They have many more teams and many opportunities for young talents. Organizing cycling races is in the genes of our southern neighbors," he concludes.
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024