So it’s true after all! It actually took a lot of effort for Van der Poel to win Paris-Roubaix
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel is only human! Yes, you might not expect it, but it really is true. The Dutchman’s Instagram story reveals this 'secret.' Not through a DNA test or anything like that, but with a photo of his Whoop profile, reminiscent of the popular Spotify Wrapped.
Sometimes it seems like riders such as Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Wout van Aert win effortlessly. As if they floating across the course while everyone else has to pedal. Van der Poel’s victories in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are clear examples of this. His phenomenal acceleration on the cobblestones of Roubaix seemed almost unreal. He powered over the French cobbles so much faster than the rest that it almost looked like that nearly sixty-kilometer solo effort didn’t cost him anything. But fortunately, that turns out not to be the case at all.
It actually took Van der Poel a great deal of effort to pull off his historic solo in Roubaix. This is evident from his 2024 Whoop stats. His toughest day was Sunday, April 7, the day of Paris-Roubaix. On that day, he recorded his highest day strain (the highest load or effort) of the year, a staggering 20.7 points. Is that a lot? Absolutely, because Whoop works on a scale from 0 to 21. Van der Poel was utterly spent when he crossed the finish line at the Vélodrome André Pétrieux.
The data also shows that in 366 days, Van der Poel completed a cycling activity no fewer than 327 times. His best recovery day was May 18, the day Filippo Ganna won the time trial in the Giro d’Italia. It’s entirely possible that Van der Poel, like many other cycling fans, spent that day lounging in comfortable clothes on the couch, watching TV and slowly drifting off to sleep. To us, that seems like a solid way to achieve a recovery rate of 97%!
Tour Down Under
📸 Van der Hoorn does some soul searching in New Zealand with an impressive two-week journey
Participants Tour Down Under 2025 | UAE Team Emirates-XRG to debut four riders in Australia!
Preview Tour Down Under 2025 | WorldTour riders like kangaroos: read to jump-start!
Visma | Lease a Bike forced to make last-minute change for Tour Down Under, Vermote will participate
Drama surrounding Caleb Ewan: Sprint star has suddenly been removed from the Jayco AlUla website
Latest Cycling News
11-rider ‘white jersey group’ from Visma | Lease a Bike: who are they, and what does it actually entail?
Giro demands Alaphilippe or Hirschi’s presence, otherwise we’ll see Pidcock at the start in Albania this May
Nordhagen put in the same room as Vingegaard by Visma | LaB ahead of his "first full year as a cyclist"
After confession, Astana's top talent receives astounding four ban following positive doping test
Brotherly rivalry in the shadow of Vingegaard and Pogacar: "I want to be there for Jonas the way my brother is there for Tadej"
Popular Cycling News
Pidcock’s younger brother shares emotional message: "It was like having to learn everything in life at 21"
How Jonas Vingegaard believes he can challenge Tadej Pogacar in 2025 precisely because of his heavy crash
Meanwhile in the peloton | Pidcock and Alaphilippe receive wildcards for Omloop, Unibet Tietema Rockets also present
Dutch riders from Visma | Lease a Bike not in the Tour, and the bikes of Van Baarle and Campenaerts play a role in this
Pidcock finally responds to INEOS exit and skipping the Tour in 2025: "Glad to have a year of rest"
Latest Comments
- If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- 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