As he waits for his highway racing kind to construct to perfection for the cobbled Classics, Mathieu van der Poel has reworked right into a massively efficient leadout man for teammate Jasper Philipsen, serving to him win two levels at Tirreno-Adriatico.
In 2021 van der Poel gained two stage wins at Tirreno-Adriatico firstly of a massively profitable highway season that included a stage and six-day stint within the lead of the Tour de France. This week he by no means cracked the highest 10 however he’s not involved about his kind simply but, discovering happiness in serving to his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates.
The outcomes of UAE Staff Emirates’ Tadej Pogačar – so dominant in Paris-Good – are maybe give Van der Poel pause for thought for Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders. Nevertheless, Tirreno-Adriatico proved to be a very good week of racing and outcomes for the Dutchman and his group.
He has solely been racing for every week and highway coaching for 2 weeks previous, after a break following his fourth UCI Cyclocross World Championships victory.
“It was fairly a tough week of racing, lengthy days on the bike, and I hope it would get me the form I would like to have the ability to battle for the win in Milan-San Remo,” Van der Poel stated on Sunday after celebrating with Philipsen.
The Alpecin-Deceuninck group on paper have two superb prospects for Milan-San Remo with Philipsen additionally focusing on the race if it ends in a dash.
Van der Poel admitted to having some doubts about his kind however he beleives he’s not alone within the peloton.
“Everybody has doubts (about their situation) not solely me. I labored pretty much as good as I might, I am wholesome so I can not change loads now earlier than San Remo. You simply want a bit of little bit of luck to win the race, so we’ll see,” he stated.
Van der Poel labored on his kind by working for Philipsen. After a second place to Fabio Jakobsen on stage 2, the pair mixed forces within the closing kilometre and Philipsen scored a dash victory in Foligno on stage 3.
After a trio of levels gained by Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), the general winner, Van der Poel produced one other energy surge to delivere Philipsen to a major place to take the win on the final day in San Benedetto del Tronto.
“We’re actually proud of the group – two victories right here is very nice. I am beginning to get pleasure from these lead-outs, particularly if the sprinter finishes it off,” Van der Poel stated.
“It makes the work extra vital for me. Right now I might do my very own lead-out once more and for me, it is good to go arduous within the closing for what’s coming.”
