The 27-year-old grandson of French cycling legend Raymond Poulidor has hinted in recent days that he is struggling and may leave the peloton. His best performance was in the opening time trial in Copenhagen, in which he finished fifth.
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He was also disappointed in the fifth stage with dicey sections, in which the four-time cyclocross world champion was hoping for success. “It wasn’t good. Instead of a better day, it got worse. I’m just a shadow of myself and it’s eating at me. I have no idea what’s going on,” he complained last week.
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He started the Tour after a long racing break. He last rode May’s Giro d’Italia, where he finished 57th and completed the Grand Tour for the first time. Now in France, he was ranked 95th in the running before today’s stage.
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Van der Poel fared much better in his Tour debut last year. After winning the second stage, he wore the leader’s yellow jersey for six days. He retired after the eighth stage to prepare for the Olympic mountain bike race.
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