Mathieu van der Poel Rode has often frustrated around in the Tour de France for the past three summers. This year the organization gives the classic specialist opportunities for success. On Sunday Van der Poel struck immediately in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The scenario still sounded unlikely for Van der Poel on Thursday. No, he and teammate Jasper Philipsen had not talked about an opening weekend in which Philipsen wins the first Tour ride and takes the yellow, and Van der Poel picks the same feat a day later.
“It was so easy,” said ‘MvdP’ with a smile in the neoclassical opera house of Lille. “I hope it will be a great tour, but I have already had less good experiences in this course.”
The caution at Van der Poel was understood. In 2021 he immediately triumphed in the second stage during his Tour debut. In the seasons afterwards he won one big classic after the other, but in the most important cycling race it no longer worked. In 2022, 2023 and 2024 he never finished in the top ten of a ride in line.
On Sunday, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, that series will come to an end in a spectacular way. Van der Poel beats Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in a sprint of hilly and conquers the yellow jersey. The dream scenario comes out in no time, because he takes over the leaderstricot from Philipsen.
“I don’t know if this victory will change much about my relationship with the Tour,” says Van der Poel after the second stage. “But of course I am very happy that I won today. I know better than anyone how difficult it is to win a Tour ride. In recent years I have been struggling with that. That’s why we have tried a different approach this season.”
Van der Poel beats Pogacar and Vingegaard in Sprint to win victory tour
Van der Poel went to Dauphiné for Tour
A month ago, Van der Poel had to take it against Pogacar and Vingegaard in the first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. That result was disappointing, but Van der Poel mainly gave his performance a first indication that he and his team had made a good choice.
Over the past three years, the 2023 world champion did not start in the Dauphiné or the Tour of Switzerland, traditionally the two most important preparations on the Tour. Last season Van der Poel did not even rode a single match between Liège-Bastogne-Liège (at the end of April) and the start of the Tour de France (at the end of June).
“We knew that the first ten days of the Tour would be very important for Mathieu,” says Kristof de Kegel, Van der Poel’s trainer. “That is why we have decided to build a little more intensity in the training sessions and to build in a little more competition in his preparation. Mathieu really wanted to ride the Dauphiné to gain course hardness. As usually he has been right.”
Van der Poel showed himself very often in the Dauphiné. A little too often, to the taste of the team management of Alpecin-DECEUNINCK. “We regularly have to temper him a little bit. Mathieu does not always do what we say,” says the cone with a smile. “I think Mathieu has listened to us for 50 percent in the Dauphiné. That is a good score for him.”
That good score pays off on the second day of the Tour de France. “It is clear that Mathieu started the Tour in better condition this year than last year,” says team boss Philip Roodhooft of Alpecin-Deceuninck. “The puzzle fell very well together.”
Father Van der Poel is winning his son stage: ‘You have to cherish these moments like this’
Tour course suits Van der Poel much better this year
The most important puzzle piece for a better tour for Van der Poel was outside his power. In recent years, the organization has barely opted for stages that looked like a classic. This edition will be there in the opening week several rides with steep hills in the final.
On Sunday, the riders in northern France have to go in the last 30 kilometers past three climbs. The finish is also on a hill. Van der Poel could not have drawn it better for himself.
“Mathieu, but also other riders of his caliber, have given a disguised message to the Tour organization that there should be something more opportunities for him,” says Roodhooft. “There are opportunities this year, that is clear.”
Van der Poel explored the final of the second stage on Sunday morning by watching a video of the final kilometers several times.
“After that I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Trying to survive the heavier climbing and then stay patient in the last 10 kilometers. I have implemented that plan perfectly. That is indeed a great Tour start for the team. We hope to be able to keep it up for as long as possible.”
Mathieu van der Poel Often Rode Around Frustrated in the Tour de France for the Past Three Summers. This year, The Organization is Giving the Classic Specialist Opportunities for Success. On Sunday, Van der Poel Imediately Struck in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The Scenario Still Sounded Improbable For Van Der Poel On Thursday. No, he and teammate Jasper Philipsen had not talked about an opening weekend in which Philipsen wins the first tour stage and take the yellow jersey, and van der Poel Pulls off the same stunt a day later.
“If only it were that easy,” Said “Mvdp” with a smile in the neoclassical opera house of lille. “I hope it will be a good tour, but I have already had enough bad experiences in this race.”
The Caution of van der Poel was understandable. In 2021, he immediately triumphed in the second stage in His Tour Debut. In The Seasons That Followed, he won one major classic after Another, but in the most important cycling racing it did not work out anymore. In 2022, 2023 and 2024 he did not finish in the top of a road stage Once.
On Sunday, that series Comes to an end in a spectacular way in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Van der Poel Beats Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in A Hilltop Sprint and Takes the Yellow Jersey. The Dream Scenario Comes True, because he takes the Leader’s Jersey from Philipsen.
“I don’t know if this victory will change more my relationship with the tour,” Says van der Poel After the Second Stage. “But of course I am Incredible Happy That I Won Today. I Know Better Than Anyone How Difficult It Is To Win A Tour Stage. I Struggled With That In Recent Years. That Is WHY We Tried A Different Approach This Season.”
Van der Poel Beats Pogacar and Vingegaard in Sprint for Tour Stage Win
Van der Poel Went to Dauphiné for Tour
A Month Ago, Van der Poel had to compete Against Pogacar and Vingegaard in the First Stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. That result was disappointing, but his performance mainly gift van der poel a first indication that he and his team had made a good choice.
For the past three years, The 2023 World Champion Did Not start in The Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse, Traditionally The Two Most Important Preparation Races for the Tour. Last Season, Van der Poel Did Not Even Ride a Single Race Between Liège-Bastogne-Liège (End Of April) and the Start of the Tour de France (End of June).
“We knew that the first ten days of the tour would be very important for Mathieu,” Says Kristof de Kegel, the trainer of van der Poel. “That is why we decided to build in a little more intensity in the training and a little more competition in his preparation. Mathieu really wanted to ride the dauphiné to gain racing toughness. As usual, he has bone proven right.”
Van der Poel showed himself very often in The Dauphiné. A Little Too Often, Accordance to the Team Management of Alpecin-DEceuninck. “We have to temper him a little bit regularly. Mathieu does not always do what we say,” Says the cone with a smile. “I think mathieu listed to us for 50 percent in the dauphiné. That is a good score for him.”
That good score Pays Off on the Second Day of the Tour de France. “It is clear that mathieu has started the tour in Better Condition this year than last year,” Says Team Boss Philip Roodhooft or Alpecin-DECEUNINCK. “The Puzzle Has Fallen Together Very Well.”
Father van der Poel Sees His Son Win Stage: ‘You have to cherish moments like this’
Tour Route Suits van der Poel Much Better This Year
The Most Important Puzzle Piece for a Better Tour for van der Poel was Beyond His Control. In recent years, The Organization Has Hardly Chosen Stages That Resembled A Classic. This edition, there are Several Stages in the Opening Week with Steep Hills in the Final.
On Sunday, The Riders in Northern France Have to Tackle Three Climbs in the Last 30 kilometers. The finish is also on a hill. Van der Poel Could not have drawn it up better for hisself.
“Mathieu, but also other riders or his caliber, have givven a disguined message to the tour organization that should be a few more opportunities for him,” Says Roodhooft. “Those opportunities are there this year, that is clear.”
Van der Poel Explored the Final Of The Second Stage on Sunday Morning by Watching A Video of the Final Kilometers Several Times.
“I KNEW Exactly what I wanted to do afterwards. Try to survive the tougher climbs and then Remain Patient in the last 10 kilometers. I executed that plan perfectly. It has indeed a great tour start for the team. We hope up to be able to keep this