Cyclisme : Mathieu van der Poel expresses desire to compete at Strade Bianche

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) expresses regret over missing this year’s Strade Bianche. He reveals his desire to return to the challenging Tuscany gravel race, potentially after stepping back from winter cyclo-cross. Currently focused on Tirreno-Adriatico as he gears up for Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics, Van der Poel acknowledges the early timing and demanding nature of Strade Bianche. He watched rival Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) dominate the race, which fueled his longing to compete. “I would love to participate in it,” Van der Poel states. He emphasizes the importance of his pre-season plan, balancing cyclo-cross and road racing. The current Strade Bianche route features 4000 meters of elevation gain, making it a true test for riders. Van der Poel remains optimistic about future participation with a revised winter schedule.