Gianni Vermeersch talked with leader Mathieu van der Poel after crash: "He said his shoulder was hurt"

Did one of the crucial moments in the Tour of Flanders happen long before the final? Top favorite Mathieu van der Poel was in the big crash about 125 kilometers from the end, which certainly impacted him. The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck still managed to come in third.

Van der Poel felt it was not as bad as it could have been. "Of course, a crash like that is not ideal and doesn't feel good. But the damage wasn't too bad. I was lucky," the Dutch rider said. His father, Adrie, said it would take a few days to find out.

"That crash could have had a much greater impact, but you won't know until tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," Adrie explains. "People underestimate the impact of a crash. You're still going to hit the ground at sixty kilometers an hour. I am also convinced that he keep up with Pogacar without that crash. The crash had a major impact."

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Vermeersch: "Understandably, it had an impact"

Teammate Gianni Vermeersch also saw his leader hit the ground, although he did help ensure that Van der Poel was well-positioned before the crucial points. "That definitely takes its toll. I'm afraid it cost a few percent. We intended to get Mathieu well-positioned at the Oude Kwaremont, which we managed to do. But that's racing," Vermeersch told the press in the mixed zone.

"Mathieu said his shoulder was hurting. Understandably, this had an impact. It takes its toll when you have to make such an effort at that point in the race. I'm not saying he would have definitely won without that crash, but it must have had an influence," Vermeersch believes.

Read also

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After big Pogi show in Tour of Flanders, focus shifts to Roubaix: "I'm ready for the challenge"

Pogacar dominates on Oude Kwaremont and wins the Tour of Flanders, van der Poel finishes third after crash

Van der Poel involved in major crash at Tour of Flanders, UAE team severely affected

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