Just before the World Cup in Antwerp, Adrie van der Poel spoke candidly about his son Mathieu’s plans. While in the past the cross was often the absolute center of the winter, the focus is clearly different this season. The father of the world champion made it clear to Sporza that Mathieu van der Poel has consciously opted for a new approach.
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No fixation on duels
According to Adrie, it is striking how little his son is concerned with direct confrontations in the field. “Mathieu is not at all concerned with the duels with Wout van Aert now in the cross,” it sounds clear.
According to him, the focus is entirely on what comes later. “He is completely thinking about the spring and has also indicated that he is now opting for a completely different approach.”
This new approach will not just happen. Adrie explicitly refers to the winter of last year, in which Mathieu immediately entered the top level. “Last year he was immediately great when he came onto the field,” he explains. However, that also had a downside. “Then, he said himself, he has no longer improved towards the World Cup.”
That is exactly what Van der Poel wants to avoid this season. The intention is to leave room for progression, also later in the winter. “The intention is that this year it will be completely different and that he will continue to improve considerably after New Year,” says Adrie.
Conscious preparation in Spain
Instead of immediately diving into Belgian winter conditions, Van der Poel first went on an internship to Spain. According to Adrie, that was a well-considered choice. “Mathieu has been preparing for an internship in Spain for a week now and you feel better in the heat,” he says.
According to him, the circumstances were largely favorable. “It was dry, only really bad for one day, but given the circumstances I think that was just good preparation.” The internship should mainly serve to lay a solid foundation, not to be in top shape.
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