"Impressive" Pogacar is giving Van der Poel gray hairs: "Hope he doesn't get even better in 2025"

Mathieu van der Poel is racing in Spain this weekend, competing at the Criterium La Nucia. On Saturday, he took on — and beat — a rally car in a unique race. Before the start, he took a moment to reflect on the past season and what might be ahead in 2025.

Speaking with Marca, the world champion in cyclocross and gravel described his year on the road. "I’d say it was pretty great," he began. "Winning Flanders and Roubaix while wearing the rainbow jersey was unbelievable. Pulling that off in this jersey made me really proud." Van der Poel is the first rider to win both races in the same year since Fabian Cancellara in 2013, and the first world champion to do so since Rik van Looy in 1962.

After an incredible spring, his summer was a bit tougher. Despite wearing the rainbow jersey, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider couldn’t secure any victories. "I wouldn’t say I was unhappy during the Tour de France, but I didn’t enjoy it as much. When I debuted, I took the yellow jersey, so my expectations were high. This year, I struggled to reach my best form in the Tour, but it wasn’t all bad." Whether Van der Poel will return to the Tour next year is still uncertain. "We’re not sure yet. It depends on how the season unfolds. I think it might be a good time to try mountain biking again if I get the chance. That’s still a big goal for me."

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Pogacar in Roubaix? "In the Tour he showed us that he’s super strong on cobbles"

In Liège-Bastogne-Liège and at the World Championships in Zurich, Van der Poel was outpaced by Tadej Pogacar, who dominated. The Slovenian world champion even hinted he might take on the Tour of Flanders again. "I’ve raced with him twice in Flanders, and we were both up front. He’s a tough rival, but I love that. He pushes himself to the max, and that’s exciting to see." Can Pogacar keep up his 2024 form next season? "With the way he’s challenging all of us, I just hope he doesn’t get even better in 2025," Van der Poel joked. "He’s had one of the most impressive seasons in cycling history, and I’m sure he’s proud of that."

The only monuments currently still missing from Pogacar’s list are Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. Van der Poel is certain Pogacar will be a strong contender in the Hell of the North. "No doubt about it. In the Tour de France stage with Roubaix sections, he showed he’s super strong on the cobbles, so I expect him to be right up there."