Van der Poel is preparing to get closer to Pogacar

Despite the sweet moment he is enjoying in the cyclocross season, Mathieu van der Poel does not lose perspective and his mind is already thinking about the spring classics in a year where he will have to face Tadej Pogacar again, who was able to beat him two seasons ago in a spectacular Tour of Flanders.

Mathieu van der Poel's mind is already thinking about the classics

He is in the middle of the cyclocross season, currently with a perfect record of 3 victories in 3 races, aiming to win his seventh title to equal the rainbow jerseys achieved by the legendary Eric de Vlaeminck. However, his mind is on the cobbles, on the spring classics that he dominated last year. His favorite races in which this season in 2025 he will have to face again the only cyclist who has been able to challenge him in recent years, none other than Tadej Pocacar.

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In fact, in statements after his victory in Zonhoven, Mathieu van der Poel admitted that he has to work to close the gap with Tadej Pogacar for the spring classics. A great challenge that will require a lot of work "on the road I have had to follow him" acknowledged the Dutch rider.

Mathieu recalled the last World Championships in Zurich where the Slovenian escaped solo 100 kilometers from the finish "in the World Championships I was not only behind Pogacar but the whole peloton. Nothing worked and sometimes, if someone stands out, there is nothing to do".

Van der Poel is not the only one to acknowledge that Tadej Pogacar will be a tough rival in the spring classics. Another who has also expressed a similar concern is the revelation cyclist of the 2024 classics and the latest signing of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, the Spanish Oier Lazkano. Oier admitted that they do not have a leader who can beat Pogacar, Van Aert, or Van der Poel face to face, however, he showed confidence in the strength of the team and in using that power to defeat them by playing their cards in the smartest way.

Therefore, the first part of the road season, with several months still to go before the spring classics, promises to be exciting.