The Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, whose main objectives in 2025 will be to win the Tour of Flanders for the fourth time and become world champion in mountain biking, “is not passionate” about the Tour de France, he declares in an interview broadcast on the Belgian site Sporza on Sunday January 5.
“It’s a race that doesn’t excite me. Apart from trying to win stages and wearing the yellow jersey, there’s not much to gain for me in the Tour”explains the grandson of Raymond Poulidor.
“I would rather do five races where I am able to win than 20 stages where I am not competing for victory half the time”argues “MVDP” which will celebrate its 30th anniversary on January 19.
The rider from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, however, admits taking “pleasure” to help his Belgian teammate, the sprinter Jasper Philipsen, “to win as many stages as possible”. “I like it and it takes the pressure off me.”he says.
The MTB World Cup in the lead
This season where he will try to become the only record holder for victories at the Tour of Flanders (4), van der Poel might prefer Paris-Nice (March 9 to 16) to Tirenno-Adriatico (March 4 to 10). “This year's route creates a new dynamic. This is why Paris-Nice could be an option instead of Tirreno-Adriatico, which I have run a few times”he continues, talking about his preparation for the Flandrian classics.
“Beating Tadej Pogacar in the Ronde is going to be difficult. But I am happy to try to take on this challenge by thinking about how to reduce the gap” which, according to him, separates him from the Slovenian winner of the Flemish monument in 2023.
But if he had to choose just one goal in 2025, the one who has already been world champion on the road, in cyclo-cross (six times) and in gravel, “would opt for the mountain bike world title” which is still missing from his list.
France
