Mathieu van der Poel: Attacking early was a gamble, I didn’t know where the finish was
The unstoppable talent rolled the dice but powered away from all his rivals
Mathieu van der Poel said his early attack on stage four of the Tour of Britain was a gamble, as he didn’t know where the finish was.
The Corendon-Circus rider was dominant on a challenging day through the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, sprinting clear of a reduced peloton in the final 300 metres.
Van der Poel, star of road, mountain bike and cyclocross racing, narrowly missed out on victory on stage three, but returned with grit to take the honours in Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District.
>>> Primož Roglič extends contract with Jumbo-Visma despite rumours
Speaking after the stage, the 24-year-old Dutchman said: “Attacking early was a bit of a gamble because I didn’t really know where the finish line was. I got a bit bumped in yesterday at the finish and I didn’t want it to happen then again today, so I just went full gas with 300 metres to go.
“It was actually a bit far but I immediately had a gap. With 100 metres to go the road got a bit easier so it was big enough to keep that gap until the finish line.”
Van der Poel is racing on British roads to prepare for the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships later this month, having spend the summer focusing on the mountain bike calendar, winning three World Cup events.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
On his first career Tour of Britain victory, he said: “It’s really nice to win this stage; it was a really hard stage, a lot of climbing and I think my team rode it perfectly. We controlled the race together with the team of Matteo Trentin [Mitchelton-Scott] and then at the end I think Otto Vergaerde did an amazing job to get the leaders back just in time for me to do my sprint.”
Van der Poel also finished the day as race leader, having stolen the green jersey off the back of Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott) by just one second.
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
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.
-
I’m a fat cyclist; these are the top 3 misconceptions people have about bigger riders and why they’re wrong
After my recent 'We're fat cyclists' reel went viral, I realized I had hit a nerve
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
8 pro mechanic set-up hacks inspired by the Spring Classics
Riding the rough stuff? Glen Whittington, our resident pro mechanic, ramps up speed and comfort with hacks from the cobbled classics
By Glen Whittington Published
-
Five things to look out for ahead of the Tour of Flanders
Lidl-Trek's impressive form and Mathieu van der Poel's explosive start to the Classics season could make for quite the contest this weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert gears towards career-defining fortnight in new, enlightened mindset
Belgian admits pressure has weighed heavily on his shoulders in the past as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix come around once more
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel extends with Alpecin-Deceuninck until the end of 2028
Dutchman inks new five-year deal after team's second triumph at Milan-San Remo last weekend with Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Is it time for Mathieu van der Poel to solely focus on the road?
A sixth cyclo-cross world title seemed easy for the Dutchman. Does he have anything left to prove in the sand and the mud?
By Adam Becket Published
-
WATCH: Wout van Aert loses saddle in late crash but still manages to win Benidorm round of cyclo-cross World Cup
Belgian finally ended Mathieu van der Poel’s winter CX dominance on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jasper Philipsen on being the ‘fastest man in the world’, doing the green jersey double at the Tour de France and going one better at Paris-Roubaix
The Belgian sprinter reflects back on his hugely successful 2023 season and outlines his goals for the year ahead
By Tom Thewlis Published