Mathieu van der Poel relaxed about rest of Giro d'Italia: 'We already achieved everything we wanted'
Dutchman looking to enjoy the next two weeks of the Grand Tour, after completing his goal of wearing pink

Mathieu van der Poel will head into the next two weeks of the Giro d'Italia stress-free, having already achieved what he and his Alpecin-Fenix team aimed for at the beginning of the Grand Tour.
While reflecting on the first week of his Giro d'Italia debut, Van der Poel says wearing the pink jersey fulfilled the ambitions he set at the start of the race. After winning the opening stage in Hungary, the Dutchman held onto the GC lead as the peloton landed in Italy for the fourth stage.
Despite achieving his main goal at the Giro, though, the Alpecin-Fenix rider suggests the work doesn't stop there as he points towards other opportunities for stage wins in Italy.
“I think it was a big success," Van der Poel told Het Nieuwsblad. "Both for me and for the team.
"The idea was to take the pink jersey in stage one and keep it until after the time trial. It was cool to wear it in Italy too. I can only be happy with how the first week went for us and in weeks two and three there will definitely be opportunities to try something with the team.
“I think there are at least three more stages that I should like. Something is definitely possible on Tuesday [stage ten] and in weeks two and three you never know what else is possible.”
Despite his desire to ideally take further further glory at this year's Giro, the Dutchman's mentality seems to have shifted somewhat since wearing the maglia rosa on stages two, three and four.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
For Van der Poel, simply enjoying the race is what he aims to do from now on, with his main intention to finish the full three weeks. With the 27-year-old also due to start the Tour de France in July, taking time to recover and prepare optimally now seems at the forefront of his mind, as he undoubtedly aims to wear the yellow jersey once again.
“This Giro is already a success for us," Van der Poel repeated. "We came for the pink, we achieved that goal and now we are looking at other rides. But I'm quite relaxed, precisely because in that first week we already achieved everything we wanted. I will now continue to enjoy without stress.
“I can think of a lot of reasons [to quit], but I'm really going to go through to the end. Only it is something new, such a second and third week in a big round. I also don't know how my body will react to it, but I am convinced that it will make me stronger.
"Last year in the Tour it was completely different. Then there was still the pandemic and the Olympics were coming. That's different now. I'll go through to the end and then we'll see what program I need to be good in the Tour."
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
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
British Paralympian found alive and safe after missing person report
Sam Ruddock hadn't been heard from in 11 days, but has now been located
By Tom Davidson
-
Tadej Pogačar was dominant at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I hope for a competitive Tour de France
The Slovenian has finished on the podium of the last six Monuments, the first man to do so - when will he stop dominating?
By Tom Thewlis
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
By Tom Thewlis
-
'It was like a stone hitting my face' - Mathieu van der Poel calls for 'legal action' after bottle incident at Paris-Roubaix
The winner was hit by a bottle in the face on Templeuve, sector 8b
By Adam Becket
-
Mathieu van der Poel secures Paris-Roubaix hat-trick after epic duel with Tadej Pogačar
Dutchman takes his third win in a row after Pogačar crashes on the cobbles, while Mads Pedersen finishes third
By Peter Cossins
-
'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej Pogačar
Two-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
By Tom Thewlis
-
Can anyone stop Primož Roglič or Juan Ayuso from winning the Giro d’Italia?
Roglič and Ayuso's form suggest they are the two outright favourites for overall victory in Rome next month
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 receive Giro d’Italia wildcard invite along with Tudor Pro Cycling
Team Polti Visit Malta and VF Group BardianiCSF - Faizane also receive invitations from RCS
By Tom Thewlis
-
Extra wildcard team approved for Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España
Number of teams to increase from 22 to 23 at men's Grand Tours
By Tom Davidson