Van der Poel rides 'ten to fifteen cross-country races' and is considering participation in Vuelta in 2024

Mathieu van der Poel won Sunday with playful ease the Madrid Criterium. Afterwards, he sat down for a conversation with several guests, led by Eurosport journalist Laura Mesequer. "It was an honor to ride here and I'm surprised by how many fans are here. Also, the autograph session with Alberto (Contador, ed.) was crazy ,opens the world champion. 

Van der Poel is a true all-rounder on the bike, from one-hour cyclocrosses to winning the longest race on the road: Milan-Sanremo. The interview participants would like to know his secret. 'Cyclocross I have been doing since childhood. Nowadays, the last hour, hour and a half of a classic is similar to a cyclocross race. The only difference is that you have to cycle for five more hours before that,' jokes Van der Poel.

'I manage to start quite fresh at the finals of long races,' the Dutchman continued in a serious tone. 'It's also been a process, which started a few years ago. I think I am now at my best level ever as a road rider,' by which Van der Poel is undoubtedly referring to his extremely successful season. With Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, for example, he won two Monuments, both for the first time. A gigantic icing on the cake followed with the World Championship road race in Glasgow in August.

Van der Poel returns to cross at the end of December for 10 to 15 crosses (including World Cup in Tabor)

Contador would like to know which discipline Van der Poel likes best. 'That's a difficult question,' he replies. 'It is mainly the alternation of disciplines that I enjoy. That I don't have to do the same thing for a whole year. But it is true that I have nothing more to achieve in cyclocross,' Van der Poel is referring to frequently winning the rainbow jersey in that discipline.

'The emphasis is more on road cycling as a result. I still have some goals and this season I was lucky enough to tick off three of them. So it's been a crazy year for me. And I can't wait to race in this jersey in the classics next year. At that statement, many cycling fans will salivate.

As expected, Van der Poel will make his return to the field at the end of December. He won't give a specific date in advance. 'It will be a bit the same as last season, so about ten to fifteen cyclo-crosses, with the World Championships as my last.' The men's cyclocross World Cup is scheduled for Feb. 4 in Tabor, Czech Republic, home of former world champion Zdenek Stybar, also a good friend of Van der Poel.

Van der Poel does not see winning all Monuments as a must and is thinking of Vuelta in 2024

While Van der Poel has accomplished everything in the cross country, there is still plenty to aspire to on the road. For example, those in attendance do want to know if he also aspires to winning all five Monuments, something only the greats of the course can do. 'I think it will be difficult. I believe Liège-Bastogne-Liège is possible. I already raced there once and didn't finish that far. Lombardy, however, is a different story. It's more of a race for the climbers. Maybe I'll try it once, but I know it's extremely difficult. It's also not one of my biggest challenges. I'm concentrating on the races I can win. That is especially important," the showpiece of the Roodhooft brothers remains realistic.

Van der Poel hardly ever races in Spain, but a three-week tour of the Iberian Peninsula may be something he sees fit for next year. 'With the Olympics, it will be a special year. I don't know exactly what I will do yet, but the Vuelta is an option for next year," he concluded, raising the hopes of Spanish cycling fans.

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