Mathieu van der Poel reveals the one win he desires more than all: “For the rest, it doesn’t really matter to me”

Mathieu van der Poel reveals the one win he desires more than all: “For the rest, it doesn’t really matter to me”

 

Mathieu van der Poel has always been a rider who speaks his mind, and recently, he made it clear which victory he cherishes above all others. The Dutch cyclist, known for his explosive power and incredible versatility across multiple disciplines, has won some of the biggest races in the world. However, when asked which race matters most to him, he did not hesitate to highlight the Tour of Flanders as his ultimate goal.

Van der Poel has described the race as his favorite classic, explaining that he fell in love with it the first time he participated. He believes the route, the history, and the challenge of the cobbled climbs make it the perfect race for his skill set. Given that he has already won the race multiple times, including his dominant performance in 2024, it is no surprise that he holds it in such high regard.

While he has also won prestigious races such as Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and multiple world championships in cyclocross and road racing, he downplayed the significance of other wins compared to Flanders. According to him, other victories, while meaningful, do not carry the same emotional weight. This perspective highlights his deep connection to the race and his belief that certain wins define a rider’s career more than others.

His statement reflects the mindset of a rider who prioritizes passion over simply collecting trophies. It also reinforces the special status that the Tour of Flanders holds within cycling, as it is regarded as one of the toughest and most prestigious one-day races on the calendar. Fans and analysts have often debated which races mean the most to professional cyclists, but for van der Poel, the answer is clear. While he continues to target major wins across various disciplines, he has made it known that the Tour of Flanders will always be the one that truly matters to him.