Mathieu van der Poel wore white shorts at Tour of Flanders ‘for tactical reasons’
The Dutchman made the controversial decision to stray from dark shorts


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Mathieu van der Poel opted for white shorts in the Tour of Flanders "for tactical reasons."
Even van der Poel’s father Adrie, a cyclocross legend and Flanders winner himself, said he was surprised by the decision to make the switch from his usual black shorts.
But Adrie van der Poel has explained that the decision was a tactical move.
>>> 11 worst cycling kit blunders
The elder van der Poel told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “It was a conscious choice by [Corendon-Circus team managers] the Roodhooft brothers, for tactical reasons.
“They had seen in Dwars door Vlaanderen that in the helicopter images Mathieu was difficult to distinguish from the Luxembourg champion Bob Jungels.
“With white bibshorts they were able to recognise Mathieu much faster and give him the right tactical tips via the course radio.
“That way they could quickly tell him when he had to move up in a group.
“I thought those white bib shorts a brilliant move.”
For many, Van der Poel was the rider of the day at Flanders on Sunday.
After suffering a bizarre crash and looking like he might have to abandon, the reigning cyclocross world champion rode through the bunch and into the front group.
>>> Who the bookmakers are backing for Paris-Roubaix 2019
The 24-year-old then sprinted to fourth place behind Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates).
Many were quick to point out Van der Poel’s short choice on Twitter, while Burgos-BH rider Jetse Bol was ahead of the pack and guessed the exact reason for the decision.
White shorts are considered a cycling cardinal sin by many, mostly due to the fact they can be almost see through.
But despite the controversy, plenty of pros have opted for white shorts in the past.
Peter Sagan, Adam Blythe in his British national champion’s kit, and formerly the entire Groupama-FDJ squad have all braved public opinion.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Cycling keeps you fit but are you doing enough to stay healthy?
It’s possible to be very fit in one specific way, for example being fast on a bike, while being unhealthy in other ways
By Joe Laverick Published
-
Dr Hutch: Motor-doping isn't rife, there's no way cyclists would use it discreetly enough
Some fans think that motor-doping is rife, but Cycling Weekly's columnist Dr Hutch is having none of it
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Rider slapped with 30 day suspension for causing Tour of Flanders mass pile-up
Filip Maciejuk banned from racing for a month after careering into the front of the bunch after taking to the pavement
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
I went to the Tour of Flanders and was shocked by the exodus of people before the women's race went past
The rush to leave the Kwaremont after the men's race was depressing, and revealing. We all need to do more to support women's cycling
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar continues to transcend the limits of a Tour de France winner
With Tour of Flanders victory ticked off, it’s hard to bet against him adding the two remaining Monuments to his palmarès in the years to come
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five things we learned from the Tour of Flanders 2023: Kasper Asgreen could save Quick-Step's spring
Jumbo-Visma are fallible after all, and SD Worx's dominance continues with Roubaix in sight
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lotte Kopecky successfully defends Tour of Flanders title as SD Worx claim 1-2
With number one on her back, the Belgian won her third Classics race this spring with a powerful show of strength
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published