Half marathon breakthrough for Mathieu van der Poel? "I’m probably going to regret this tomorrow"
CyclingTuesday, 12 November 2024 at 12:31
We've known for a while that Mathieu van der Poel is a solid runner. But on Tuesday, his good friend Freddy Ovett’s Strava posts suggested that MVDP took it up a notch, as it looks like they ran a half marathon in 1 hour and 22 minutes in Denia, Spain.
Ovett shared the achievement on Strava with the caption: "Matje sending it." Van der Poel, who hasn’t been posting his workouts on Strava for some time, jokingly commented on his Australian friend’s post: "I’m probably going to regret this tomorrow." Ovett’s reply was quick and witty: "All the best things in life come with next-morning regret."
After covering 21.1 kilometers at an average pace of 3:52 per kilometer, Greg Van Avermaet wondered if they managed to chat during the run or just ignored each other. Ovett humorously responded: "I had a flat white and told him my life story."
Running is in Ovett's DNA
Tuesday’s time was impressive, but it’s nothing compared to Ovett’s half marathon record. In mid-October, he ran a half marathon in Valencia in an incredible 1 hour, 8 minutes and 48 seconds, averaging a pace of 3:16 per kilometer!
Good running genes run in the family for Ovett. His father, Steve, won gold in the 800 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and also took bronze in the 1500 meters. During that era, he held multiple world records in the 1500 meters and had famous showdowns with fellow Brit Sebastian Coe.
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Latest Comments
- 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