📸 Van der Poel pushes training partners to the limit in Spain with first edition of 'MVDP Classic'

Mathieu van der Poel missed his last three scheduled cyclo-cross races because of a bruised rib, but it doesn't bother him as much on the road. The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck already completed another challenging tour on the Spanish coast on Thursday, where he made some of his training companions seriously suffer.

Of course, Van der Poel's regular Australian training buddy, Fredy Ovett, was welcome to join him again. In addition, Van der Poel's former teammate Axel Laurance, who has been wearing the INEOS Grenadiers shirt since January 1, was present, as were teammate Quinten Hermans and Parkhotel Valkenburg rider Luke Verburg.

After just over 5 hours and 37 minutes, Ovett had more than 200 kilometers on the counter, giving his ride the name 'MVDP Classic' on Strava. Laurance even did 222 kilometers and referred to his activity as 'the first edition of the MVDP Classic,' while Verburg talked about a 'legendary edition.'

So we don't have to doubt Van der Poel's form. The Dutch rider will skip the World Cup in Benidorm in favor of the training camp with his team, after which he will return to Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide.

Read more below the photo!

Van der Poel makes bike mates suffer in MVDP Classic

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