Matthew van der Poel looks forward again: ‘I hope to be the best version of myself again at the World Cup’
Monday 25 July 2022 at 19:34
After retiring for the eleventh stage of the Tour de France, calm reigned around Matthew van der Poel. However, the Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck is now back on his bike and will be competing with the post-tour benchmark at Boxmeer tonight. And beyond that? “I will score a goal in the World Cup,” it sounds in a conversation with NOS.
Van der Poel will not look back with great pleasure at his last Tour de France. After a good opening time trial in Copenhagen, Van der Poel finished fifth and then had a very tough time in the first week. However, it seemed that he was on top of her by the end of the second week. On the epic voyage to the Col du Granon, he even took part in an extensive early break, but was already the first to launch at the Lacets des Montvernier. His mission followed shortly thereafter, after which he left with a quiet drum.
It also remained quiet from “camp MVDP” in the following weeks, but now Van der Poel is still looking back and especially the future. “I’ve been back on the bike for two days now. Of course I wanted to finish the ride in Paris and ride here today in Boxmeer, but it just wasn’t possible. The body just doesn’t want to go.”
Training in standards
The 27-year-old now mainly wants to work for the World Cup in Wollongong, Australia. “I’m not going to ride in the European Championship anyway, I’ve already said it to Koss (Morenhout, national coach, editor). I’m going to score in the World Cup. I also hope to show something before that, but I hope to be the best version of myself again in Australia” .
In the coming days, Van der Poel will first complete some benchmarks. Today he will compete at Boxmeer, tomorrow the rider will go to Surhuisterveen and more benchmarks are planned at Chaam (Wednesday 27 July), Heerlen (Friday 29 July) and Roosendaal (Monday 1 August). “I see the standards as a bit of training. It always goes in a technical cycle and that is something I can use at the moment.”
