Cycling enthusiasts may just be in for a treat if Mathieu van der Poel decides to defend his title at the Amstel Gold Race in late-April.
Cycling enthusiasts may just be in for a treat if Mathieu van der Poel decides to defend his title at the Amstel Gold Race in late-April. Photo: ARN/Gautier Demouveaux
The 25-year-old’s team (Alpecin-Fenix) received one of six wildcard entries into the tough Ardennes classic, which is known for its hilly parcours.
Should the Dutchman be on the start line, few will bet against him repeating his heroics of last year where he caught and passed the leaders within sight of the line.
The dilemma for Van der Poel is that the race comes the week after Paris-Roubaix, where he is hoping to make his debut, and the contrasting natures of these events may just be one challenge too many at the end of a long spring campaign – even for him.
It would also extend that part of his season by an extra week, which may be counterproductive in an already full year that calls for him to be as fresh as possible for as long as possible.
He has declared that he would build his season around the cross-country mountain bike event at the Tokyo Olympics, after which he hoped to participate in his first Grand Tour – the Vuelta a Espana – should his team get the nod from the organisers.
His provisional schedule released by his team includes this weekend’s Cyclo-cross World Championships in Switzerland, where he will be favourite to win his third title after another dominating season.
Then, after a short rest, he is set to compete in Strade Bianche (March 7), Tirreno-Adriatico (March 11 to 17), Milano-Sanremo (March 21), Gent-Wevelgem (March 29), Dwars door Vlaanderen (April 1), Tour of Flanders (April 5), Paris-Roubaix (April 12), Brabantse Pijl (April 15) and possibly the Amstel Gold Race (April 19).
After another short hiatus, he will change bikes to start his mountain bike campaign in May.
The other teams to receive wildcard invitations for the 55th Amstel Gold Race are Circus–Wanty Gobert, Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise, Wallonie Bruxelles, Team Arkéa-Samsic and Riwal Readynez Cycling Team.
