Mathieu van der Poel has never needed to prove he is one of the strongest riders in the peloton. But during an appearance on the Whoop podcast, the Dutch superstar made it clear that raw power is not enough to win the Spring Classics.
According to Van der Poel, positioning, tactics, and experience often matter more than pure numbers in one-day races.
“Even With the Best Numbers, It’s Impossible”
Speaking about the chaos of the Spring Classics, Van der Poel described how quickly races can spiral out of control. Narrow roads, sharp corners, and key climbs create decisive moments where being out of position can instantly end a rider’s chances.
“Positioning is super important,” Van der Poel said on the Whoop podcast. “We have key points. We go from big roads to a smaller climb, and you have to be in the first twenty riders. Because if there is a move and you are too far back, it is impossible. Even with the best numbers, it is impossible to be in the front group.”
In races like the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, riders may only get one chance to follow a decisive attack. Miss it, and no amount of wattage can bring them back.
“You need the numbers,” he added. “But you can also win races by being smarter, or by doing the right things at the right moment.”
How the Classics Differ From the Tour de France
Van der Poel contrasted the unpredictable nature of the Classics with stage races such as the Tour de France.
“In the Tour, especially on the climbs, the power numbers speak for themselves. Most of the time, the strongest guy wins.”
In one-day Classics, however, decisive moments come in waves. A split-second mistake in positioning can close the door entirely.
“In classic races, you have a lot of different race situations, a lot of tactics. That is what makes it exciting,” the Dutchman explained.
With nearly 180 riders all fighting for the same stretch of road, positioning becomes a battle long before the decisive climbs.
“We are 180 guys and they all know where to be,” Van der Poel said. “So it is always a big battle to be in front. You need a good team, good teammates, and you need experience to know how to get there.”
Why Mountain Biking Is Van der Poel’s Biggest Challenge
Despite his dominance on the road and in cyclocross, mountain biking remains Van der Poel’s toughest discipline.
“It is a completely different bike. It is not something I grew up doing. The courses are super hard and they are getting more and more technical.”
He also pointed out the physical differences between himself and the sport’s specialists.
“The best guys in mountain biking are a lot lighter than I am,” he said, estimating the weight difference at more than ten kilograms.
“It is probably the most difficult discipline for me. But that is what makes it exciting. The challenge is the biggest one, and that is why I keep striving for it.”
Van der Poel admitted he fell in love with mountain biking from the very beginning, even if it continues to push him outside his comfort zone.
The Wout van Aert Rivalry Still Drives Him
No conversation about Mathieu van der Poel is complete without mentioning Wout van Aert. The long-standing rivalry between the two has defined modern Classics racing and continues to fuel Van der Poel’s motivation.
“It motivates me,” he said. “It makes you aware that you need to do everything right to try to beat him.”
Having a rival so closely matched changes the smallest training details.
“If you won every race by two minutes, it would be easy to skip a gym session, or do one interval less,” Van der Poel explained. But when margins are slim, you do the extra repetition “just to make sure.”
When Will Mathieu van der Poel Start His 2026 Road Season?
After securing his eighth Cyclocross World Championship title, the 31-year-old is currently training in Spain. It remains unclear when Van der Poel will officially begin his road season, though Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is being considered as a potential starting point.
For now, one thing is clear: in the Spring Classics, even the strongest rider in the world cannot rely on power alone. For Mathieu van der Poel, winning is about timing, positioning, tactics — and doing everything right when it matters most.
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