"Impressive" Pogacar is giving Van der Poel gray hairs: "Hope he doesn't get even better in 2025"
Cycling
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."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - 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