BOULOGNE SUR MER (France) – While Mathieu Van der Poel crossed the finish line first, the loudest scream that was heard throughout the city was that of Roxane Beterls, VdP's partner. A high-pitched scream, typical of a woman.
This is how Van der Poel's abstinence ends Tour de France, which lasted from 2021: An eternity for a winner like him. On that occasion too, in Lachen he won the stage and took the jersey. The champion of the Alpecin-Deceuninck wins like in a classic, only this time the rivals are not Pedersen or Van Aert, but Pogacar (he's always there), Vingegaard, Remco…
Philipsen and Alpecin
And speaking of Alpecin-Deceuninck, the start of the Roodhooft brothers' team is nothing short of perfect: two stages, two victories, two yellow jerseys with the two most representative riders. They're amazing at focusing on individual objectives. And once again, they do it by moving perfectly in certain races. Let's not forget Dillier, Vermeersch, Groves...
In fact, precisely Jasper Phillipsen, happy despite having just lost the yellow jersey, said: «We had a great feeling and great confidence since yesterday, we took control of the race. The boys worked very hard and well. And it wasn't easy. But with a strong captain like Mathieu, who made himself available, everything was easier.
Today was different. We raced for him, with the same confidence and unity as yesterday, but with a different leader."
All in all, Philipsen was also happy with his own performance. Even he, a sprinter, didn't expect to go so fast in the final 15 kilometers, which were both technically demanding (and that wouldn't be a problem for him) and in terms of altitude.
«It was an incredible and long day, at times I almost felt cold. In the penultimate climb I was really stuck, I knew that if they continued like that it would be impossible for me. But the important thing is that we still won and that the yellow jersey stayed at home." And it doesn't end there for him and his team. Tomorrow promises to be another sprinter's stage, but the weather will have a huge impact.
Stage and jersey
And then there's him, Mathieu Van der Poel. Between the morning's delayed start due to the chaos surrounding the arrival of the team buses and the departure of the publicity caravan, it's almost 19 p.m. when Van der Poel appears before the microphones. He's grimacing a bit, happy, but also tired.
«It was really difficult to win today – attacks Van der Poel – against Tadej and Jonas who are in great shape to win the Tour. This morning I saw a video of the finish line, so I knew what I wanted to do and how I had to do it. Arriving here in Northern France was a bit like racing the classics, but with a different opponent.
"Having the right position was crucial, and indeed there was a lot of nervousness, a huge fight for the top spots. But with a team like Alpecin-Deceuninck, it's something we're used to and good at, and we won this battle for positions."
His father was also there on arrival, the big and still fit one Adrie Van der PoelHe was happy, but with his usual frankness he repeated that they (go figure, plural) prefer the classics. And that even though he had explored these paths, he hadn't said a word to his son. «I have no say in the team's tactics».
Doubts about the shape?
After the MTB accident and the resulting microfracture to his wrist, there could have been some doubts about Van der Poel's condition. But having already seen him at Dauphiné had almost completely removed any doubts. The same Mathieu talked about the Dauphiné and how he reconstructed this stellar state of form. In fact, repeating the method they use for the classics.
«Compared to my other Tours – Van der Poel continues – This time I had a different approach. For once, we did the Dauphiné, and it was a good choice. Every year we have a different experience to best prepare for the Tour de France, but I would say to achieve all our goals in the best possible condition.
«For example, this year we understood that we should have done a period of altitude training before the Tirreno-Adriatico, which is the race I like the most before the classics, and we did it. And Once again we realized that another high altitude training camp was needed before the Tour de France. Also because this edition has a route on which my teammates and I can excel. We have many stages, and this makes a big difference compared to last year's route. And also in terms of motivation."
Our team always moves with a perfectly clear goal, guided by our leader. And whatever happens during the day and whatever challenges arise, we face together. It's our team spirit, and I think that's what makes the difference. Everyone knows what they have to do.».
Essentially, the same words Philipsen had told us earlier. "In the last kilometer," VdP continued, "I was focused on not making any mistakes. I wanted to take the final corner ahead. I didn't quite make it, but I was still in a good position. Staying close to Tadej was great. And when he took off, I was able to sprint without any problems."
Pogacar and the postponed hundredth
He expected it least during the race Michael Pallini, masseur of the XDS-Astana, who had told us: «Do you know who wins today? Pogacar or Van der Poel. But I think Van der Poel will win because he's tactically smarter."No prophecy was more accurate. And Tadej Pogacar himself, in some ways, agrees with Pallini.
The climate at home UAE Emirates He's calm and if this second place doesn't sting, it's only because the winner was one of the superheroes of cycling.
“I’d say it was a good day overall,” Pogacar said. “It was a tough, long stage, with a bit of everything: rain, tension, climbs… I felt good in the finale, and my team worked well too. Second place is fine; Mathieu was stronger in the sprint, so hats off to him. It's hard to beat him in the sprint.
«To tell the truth, I played a bit badly tactically, because I was a little afraid to sprint against him and I waited too long in his wheel."
«The polka dot shirt and the attack of vingegaardI didn't expect the first one, but I did expect the second one. I didn't think I'd wear this jersey. I've won the mountains classification at the Tour twice, but I've only worn it one day. I'm glad to hear it.
"We expected Jonas to attack, especially after what we saw at Dauphiné. It's nice to see him attacking. He made us suffer."
