How Alpecin-Deceuninck squad was able to set Van der Poel up for gravel gold: "Plan to ride as a team"

On Sunday, Alpecin-Deceuninck dominated at the Gravel World Championships in Leuven, Belgium. Team leader Mathieu van der Poel took the gold medal and the rainbow jersey, while Quinten Hermans, Gianni Vermeersch, Xandro Meurisse and Timo Kielich rode in the front group for a long time. In the end, Hermans even managed to secure the bronze medal.

After Van der Poel and the breakaway Florian Vermeersch, five riders battled for the third place: Hermans, Vermeersch, Jasper Stuyven, Connor Swift and Matej Mohoric. Vermeersch and Hermans seemed to hinder each other, but with an extra push, Hermans was ultimately able to hold off local favorite Stuyven.

"Our plan was to ride together as a team, which I think we executed quite well. Mathieu attacked once at 120 kilometers from the finish, and we already knew then that it would be a tough race," Hermans said. "After that, the split was made, and in the end, there were seven or eight of us left for the final round."

Hermans: "The first hours were constant pressure to move up"

"They were all strong riders, so you know it's going to be hard to keep the group together," continued the bronze medalist. "Then Mathieu attacked again, and at that point, we knew the first two places were out of reach. But I’m glad I still took third. It was a beautiful day, but very tough. Everyone was fighting for their spot, so it came down to the legs."

"During those first two hours, there is constant pressure to move up, and this time was no different," said the Belgian. "Then it's really fast-paced, and it becomes an elimination race. I knew I was in good shape, but to say I would podium… I wasn’t even sure heading into the sprint, but I was able to play the game. That gave me just enough for a final burst," added Hermans, who now plans to take a rest period and may even skip a winter cyclocross season.