Mathieu van der Poel reiterates desire to ride Giro d'Italia: 'Everyone always says that you get better from a Grand Tour, so I’m curious'
Speaking after Paris-Roubaix, the Dutchman made it clear he expects to start the Giro in May

Mathieu van der Poel has reiterated his plans to ride the Giro d'Italia in May, suggesting the Grand Tour will help him to become an even more accomplished rider.
Van der Poel's one and only Grand Tour appearance came last year at the Tour de France. He rode in the opening eight stages the 2021 edition, winning the second stage to Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan.
He also spent six of those stages in the yellow jersey, but failed to start the ninth day as he turned his attention to the Olympics mountain bike race.
But while the 27-year-old didn't seem too interested by the Grand Tours earlier in his career, it seems Van der Poel is planning to complete all three weeks in Italy. Speaking to WielerFlits (opens in new tab)after Paris-Roubaix, he suggested now is the perfect time for him to experience the Giro and ultimately help him develop as a rider.
"The Giro is a race that appeals to me," Van der Poel said. "I think it will definitely be good for me in the future, to do a Grand Tour for my evolution as a rider. Especially when you see what a spring I've ridden now. That was not very extensive.
“The Giro might give me a little more base and make me just a little stronger, make the engine just a little bigger," he added. "That’s something I still need to work on.
“I haven’t ridden a Grand Tour yet, even though I’m 27-years-old. Everyone always says that you get better from a Grand Tour, so I’m curious.”
The Dutchman started his season just last month with a third-place finish at Milan-San Remo, but his delay to action hasn't impacted negatively on his performances. Since the opening Monument, Van der Poel has won both Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders, and finished fourth at Amstel Gold Race and ninth at Paris-Roubaix.
Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali is the only stage race he has competed in this season, but now he is focussing his attention on the Giro d'Italia, which gets underway in Budapest, Hungary, on May 6.
Before Van der Poel had competed in a race last month, reports suggested he would ride Coppi e Bartali, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, ahead of a potential Giro d'Italia appearance. He then told Dutch newspaper AD (opens in new tab) about his desire to make his debut at the Giro in May, which he has reiterated once again.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi, I'm a Trainee News Writer at Cycling Weekly.
I have worked for Future across its various sports titles since December 2020, writing news for Cycling Weekly, FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture. I am currently studying for a NCTJ qualification alongside my role as Trainee News Writer at the company.
Prior to joining Future I attended Cardiff University, earning a degree in Journalism & Communications.
-
-
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder: the pros attend a summer camp unlike any other
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder: the pros attend a summer camp unlike any other. Mountain bikers Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Christopher Blevins win the five-day stage race in the Cascade Mountains.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Best workshop chain tools 2022 rated and reviewed
Seven workshop chain tools tested and evaluated
By Paul Grele • Published
-
Mario Cipollini threatened with two and a half year prison sentence in domestic violence case
Case involving the ex-sprinter's former wife and then brother in law nears its conclusion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Koen Bouwman overjoyed with mountains classification victory: 'I will never forget these three weeks'
He became the Giro d'Italia's first Dutch mountains classification winner
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Dries De Bondt wins stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia in shock breakaway victory
A miscalculation from the peloton allowed four riders in the breakaway to sprint to victory, with De Bondt crossing the line first
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'I had lactate up to my ears': Mathieu van der Poel's stage 17 attack was an 'all or nothing' attempt
The Dutchman acknowledged he was perhaps too optimistic, but seemed encouraged by his performance nevertheless
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Santiago Buitrago executes powerful attack on final climb to win stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia
The Colombian powered past Mathieu van der Poel and Gijs Leemreize to win the first Grand Tour stage of his career
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Jan Hirt wins first-ever Grand Tour stage with victory on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
The Czech rider attacked 10km from the line up the final climb of the day, and managed to hold on from Thymen Arensman to take the win
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
João Almeida biding his time at the Giro d'Italia: 'Always keep in mind the next days'
The UAE Team Emirates rider is hoping to secure a podium finish as he expects the final day's time trial to be decisive
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mikel Landa still in the hunt for Giro d'Italia pink jersey: 'Everything is going according to plan'
The Spaniard spoke confidently during the rest day press conference on Monday ahead of the final week of racing
By Ryan Dabbs • Published