Mathieu van der Poel also makes his debut with a victory after easily winning the Ename Samyn Classic

The Dutchman did not want to be left behind by Pogacar or Vingegaard. Yesterday, Alpecin-Deceuninck announced the surprise presence of Mathieu van der Poel in the Ename Samyn Classic, moving up his debut by a week, which was originally planned for the Tirreno-Adriatico. As expected, given the average level of this race, he easily won this peculiar Belgian classic despite having to wait for the final sprint to decide the outcome.

No chance for the others. Mathieu van der Poel wins the Ename Samyn Classic in his 2025 debut

Yesterday afternoon, Alpecin-Deceuninck announced the lineup for a race that usually goes unnoticed except for hardcore cycling fans, the GP Le Samyn, a race that in 2025 changed its name to Ename Samyn Classic by incorporating the name of a brewery in its title.

A race that usually only attracts the attention of the most dedicated cycling fans, as it is a category 1.1 race, situated between the Opening Weekend and the Strade Bianche, so the participation is usually of a lower level. Despite this, and despite its not very demanding 199-kilometer route in southern Belgium, it is usually a quite attractive race to watch with constant movements and an endless whip.

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Van der Poel arrived at a race that, despite not being in his palmares, caused a stir in 2021 when the Dutch cyclist could not compete for the victory after breaking the handlebar of his Canyon, which forced the German brand to halt the launch of the current version of its Aeroad to analyze the problem.

Mathieu van der Poel began to warm up his legs when there were still 65 kilometers left to go, and on the Cote des Nonettes, a climb of just 300 meters in the final 28 km circuit of this Ename Samyn Classic that the cyclists had to complete 4 laps of, the Alpecin-Deceuninck team took the lead and, as if it were a sprint finish, they accelerated the pace until Van der Poel made his first attempt.

The acceleration lasted only a couple of minutes. We don't know if it was because he was just doing a series in this training race that seemed to be for him, or if he really saw that he wasn't going anywhere given the lack of difficulty of the course, Van der Poel eased off and let himself be caught.

Mathieu van der Poel DOMINANT in Samyn.

First road race. First victory for the Dutchman in 2025

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bjWlYnJ2Ja

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) March 4, 2025

Mathieu would try again 51 km from the finish with identical results, after which he disappeared into the group, staying attentive and well positioned.

Thus, we arrived at the final kilometers of the race where the Dutchman was once again seen at the front. However, he did not make a move in the last cobbled section, a short and tough sector just 2 kilometers from the finish where Van der Poel simply closed the gap that the Arkea riders tried to force.

As we reached the final meters, a sprint that inclines quite steeply uphill, Van der Poel was the first to launch, choosing his ideal distance and even managing to drop the entire group to win his first race of the season with ease.

Ename Samyn Classic 2025 Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 4h19'58''
2. Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) +00
3. Emilien Jeanniere (TotalEnergies) +00
4. Jenthe Biermans (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +00
5. Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ) +00
6. Sian Fredheim (Uno-S Mobility) +00
7. Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-PremierTech Academy) +00
8. Alessandro Romele (XDS-Astana) +00
9. Amaury Capiot (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +00
10. Lukas Kubis (Unibet Tietema Rockets) +00