{"id":49641,"date":"2021-09-23T10:42:31","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T08:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/?p=49641"},"modified":"2021-09-23T10:42:33","modified_gmt":"2021-09-23T08:42:33","slug":"van-der-poel-worlds-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/en\/pro-peloton\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Mathieu van der Poel claims: &#8220;I think it will be a grueling race&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bd699d48e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bd699d48e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"651\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1024x651.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-49655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-2048x1301.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1920x1220.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1500x953.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-1060x674.jpg 1060w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-700x445.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-325x207.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption>Photo by Gregory Van Gansen \/ Photonews<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A few days before the road race at the World Cycling Championships in Flanders Mathieu van der Poel gave Alpecin Cycling an exclusive interview. The Dutch Team Alpecin-Fenix pro talks about his current form, the World Championship course as well as his ambitions and the competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">How do you feel after the injuries and the long break?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">I felt pretty good after my last races. I\u2019m happy with the progress I\u2019ve made in the past few weeks. The sessions at my physiotherapist have helped to release tension, which I\u2019m happy about. I trained a lot to strengthen the back muscles as much as possible. It\u2019s been a slow process, but at least there is progress and that\u2019s satisfying.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">Which kind of health problems do you still suffer at the moment?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">Well, I didn\u2019t have the best preparation and I\u2019m sure my back will hurt after the race on Sunday. But I\u2019ve done everything to be in the best possible shape for the Worlds. I wasn\u2019t super fresh last weekend at the races, but I did a few longer training sessions before.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">How is your current level of performance compared to your best in the past, maybe compared to Strade Bianche?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">It\u2019s hard to compare. I was riding on a high level at the Strade Bianche, one of my best ever. The situation is different now, but of course I prepared for the Worlds the best I could, given the circumstances. I feel I\u2019m ready for it though, otherwise I wouldn\u2019t be at the start.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a05bd699dd63&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a05bd699dd63\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2303\" height=\"1728\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-49653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited.jpg 2303w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-2048x1537.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-1920x1441.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-1500x1125.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-1060x795.jpg 1060w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-700x525.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Weltmeisterschaften-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-edited-325x244.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2303px) 100vw, 2303px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption>Photo by Stefan Rachow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">The course is not a typical Ronde, it is hillier like an Ardennes classic. Do you see it the same way? And do you like the course better than the Ronde? Why?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">I must say I really like racing in this region. The roads are largely the same as in the Brabantse Pijl. I like it! However, the hills in the Ronde suit me a bit better I think, the cobbled climbs like Koppenberg or Oude Kwaremont. Cobbled climbs aren\u2019t really the same as asphalt climbs. The hills on the World Championships course aren\u2019t new to me, but they will surely hurt after a while because of the distance.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">Who are your main competitors in this race and why?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">Wout van Aert is surely a contender and he\u2019s ready. He would be a good world champion. I also expect a lot of the French team with defending world champion Alaphilippe and of Italy and Denmark. They have the strongest teams I think.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>&#8220;It&#8217;s not up to me to discuss tactics&#8221;<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">You will most likely be the captain of the Dutch team. The tactic will be that your team members will support you as much as possible to bring you fresh towards the final. Correct? Is it a problem for you that the Dutch team seems to only have one leader?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">It\u2019s not really up to me to discuss tactics, but I believe we have a strong lineup with different types of riders who can do well here. Also, when I do the spring classics with Alpecin-Fenix, in the race final it\u2019s also up to myself to finish it off in the end.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">What will be the key to win the race?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">I think it will be a grueling race and the one with the best legs and shape on the local circuit will win.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">Which sections and hills in the race will play a big role for the success in the end?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">The distance, almost 270 km, and the number of climbs will take their toll. On the Flandrien circuit there are six short, punchy climbs, including the Smeysberg and the cobbled Moskesstraat. On the local circuit in Leuven there are four hills, of which Wijnpers is the steepest. But the Flandrien circuit will be tougher, for sure.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tl-interview interview-box\"><h3 class=\"question\">Does only the victory count for you &#8211; or are you also satisfied with a medal or a Top10-result?<\/h3><div class=\"answer\">I\u2019m someone who always aims for the best possible result, a victory. Depending on how the race goes I think I can also be happy with a medal or a top ten, also because of my preparations for the race.<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Exclusive Interview with Dutch pro-cyclist Mathieu van der Poel about the road race at the 2021 world championships in Flanders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pro-peloton"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mathieu van der Poel claims: &quot;I think it will be a grueling race&quot; - Alpecin Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Exclusive Interview with Dutch pro-cyclist Mathieu van der Poel about the road race at the 2021 world championships in Flanders.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/en\/pro-peloton\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mathieu van der Poel claims: &quot;I think it will be a grueling race&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Exclusive Interview with Dutch pro-cyclist Mathieu van der Poel about the road race at the 2021 world championships in Flanders.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/en\/pro-peloton\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Alpecin Cycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/alpecincycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-09-23T08:42:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-09-23T08:42:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1627\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Steffen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@alpecincycling\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@alpecincycling\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Steffen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Steffen\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9ea85f043a832826d7bf54b693eb7809\"},\"headline\":\"Mathieu van der Poel claims: &#8220;I think it will be a grueling race&#8221;\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-23T08:42:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-09-23T08:42:33+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":733,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/app\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/PHOTONEWS_10941916-002-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Pro Peloton\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpecincycling.com\\\/en\\\/pro-peloton\\\/van-der-poel-worlds-2021\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mathieu van der Poel claims: \\\"I think it will be a grueling race\\\" - 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