Mathieu van der Poel’s dad says Tirreno-Adriatico solo ride was 'his best race ever'
‘In this field, with this weather, on that course....he can still surprise me’
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Mathieu van der Poel’s dad says the Dutch star still has the ability to surprise him after his unforgettable solo victory in Tirreno-Adriatico.
Alpecin-Fenix rider Van der Poel launched a huge 50km attack on stage five of the Italian stage race, saying he only rode away from his rivals because he was cold.
Despite a spirited chase by race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who was able to close down Van der Poel but not take the stage, it was the cyclocross world champion who held on to take his second victory in the 2021 edition.
Van der Poel’s father Adrie, a former cyclocross world champion and Tour of Flanders winner, said he believes the attack was the best of his son’s career so far.
Adrie recently put together a list of Mathieu’s best victories, including his recent glory in Strade Bianche, but after stage five of Tirreno-Adriatico he has reconsidered his choices.
In an article Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab), Adrie said: “What Mathieu did yesterday in the Tirreno is by far his best ride ever. In this field, with this weather, on that course, with such a final and then standing against the best riders in the world - he can still surprise me.”
Van der Poel launched his attack with 50km remaining of the 205km stage from Castellalto to Castelfidardo, pulling out a three-minute advantage in biting cold and rainy conditions.
As the peloton fell to pieces behind on a challenging finishing course, Tadej Pogačar then launched his own solo attack from a chasing group behind, as the Slovenian extended his overall lead to Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).
Van der Poel very narrowly held on to the stage victory, as Pogačar finished just 10 seconds behind, cementing his lead with just two stages left to race.
Meanwhile Van der Poel’s great rival Van Aert has been targeting a different result in Italy, as he tests his form in the general classification for the first time.
While Van Aert wasn’t able to match up to Pogačar on the undulating course on stage five, he still remains in second place ahead of other established Grand Tour riders like Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas.
>>> The reason for Mathieu van der Poel’s solo attack at Tirreno-Adriatico? ‘Because I was cold’
Van Aert’s team said the Belgian continues to amaze, as he competes against former Tour de France champions.
The 26-year-old also won the opening stage in a remarkable bunch sprint.
Thank you for reading 10 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
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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel deserve big CX appearance fees, says British champ
British national champion says Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel receive high appearance fees for a reason
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert wins round 12 of the Men's Cyclocross World Cup in the Zonhoven sandpit
The early stages suggested it was going to be a battle between the top four, but Van Aert went clear and never looked back
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel and Puck Pieterse win X20 Trofee Herentals cyclo-cross
It's a Dutch golden day out in Belgium as the Alpecin pair win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert comes out on top once more in battle of cyclocross ‘big three’ at Superprestige Diegem
Puck Pieterse victorious in women’s race in Diegem, Belgium
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel says he 'still needs to be better' despite second World Cup victory
Dutchman dispatched arch rival Wout van Aert in Antwerp, Belgium even with knee injury suffered 24 hours previously
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
2023 Tirreno-Adriatico route revealed with 13,800m of climbing
Tirreno-Adriatico to begin with individual time trial, latter half of the week stacked with 13,800 metres of climbing in Italian week-long race
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel in first three-way showdown on Sunday
British rider to go up against his road rivals for the first time this cyclo-cross season at Antwerp round of the World Cup this weekend
By Tom Thewlis • Published