Mathieu van der Poel is the eighth Dutchman ever to wear the yellow jersey in multiple Tour de Frances. The thirty-year-old rider, who wore the yellow jersey for six days in 2021, took the lead in the general classification on Sunday in the second stage.
Van der Poel not only conquered the yellow jersey, but also won the hilly stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
After a difficult final, he beat Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the sprint. It was his second stage win ever in the Tour. Van der Poel took over the yellow jersey from his Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen.
In total, nineteen Dutch riders have worn the yellow jersey in the Tour, but only eight of them have worn the yellow jersey in multiple editions. Joop Zoetemelk is the record holder. He wore the yellow jersey in no fewer than five different Tours (1971, 1973, 1978 and 1980) and in a total of 22 stages.
Gerrie Knetemann follows with yellow in four different Tours (1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981) and eight stages in total. Wout Wagtmans wore the yellow jersey in more stages (12) than Knetemann, but did so in three Tours (1954, 1955 and 1956).
Van der Poel had to relinquish the yellow jersey to Pogacar in 2021
Van der Poel had to relinquish the yellow jersey in 2021 after six stages to the later winner Tadej Pogacar. Now, the rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck also has a chance to hold the lead in the general classification for more than one stage.
The Tour de France continues on Monday with a flat stage over 178 kilometers from Valenciennes to Dunkirk.