The Dutch national coach Koos Moerenhout indicated last week that Van der Poel had not yet canceled with him. The two had a conversation, the original World Cup in Martigny was too tough, but replacement Imola offered possibilities. Imola is more difficult than Yorkshire last year, where a confident Van der Poel had to deal with a breakdown in the final lap.
After his demonstration yesterday in the penultimate stage in the Tirreno, the Rit der Muren, with numerous calf-biters, the Gazzetta journalist asked the Dutch champion whether this is a nice calling card for the World Cup? To which he replied negatively: “I have already decided that I will not participate.”
Why not? “I have consulted with my entourage and the course is too difficult for me. There are almost 5,000 vertical meters. I prefer to concentrate on other goals, and in October those will be the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.”
“But also my home match the Amstel. I would like to do a bisnummer there. It is no coincidence that I took the flight so often in this Tirreno or showed myself at full speed at the front of the group. All that work will still be done. come in handy…”
