Friday, April 12, 2024 at 1:56 PM
After his impressive victories in recent weeks, Mathieu van der Poel is the top favorite for the Amstel Gold Race. He already won the hill classic in Limburg in 2019 and in his second participation, in 2022, he was fourth. “Of course I enjoy returning to the Amstel,” says MVDP in a press release from Alpecin-Deceuninck.
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“My victory in 2019 in particular is one that I will never forget,” said Van der Poel. “The spectacular finish still appeals to the imagination, besides being my first major victory on the road. Those are memories that you cherish. The fact that I finished fourth in 2022 shows that I like the race in the hills of Dutch Limburg. It is a kind of mini Tour of Flanders, with many bends and steep slopes, but without cobblestones.”
Van der Poel already won the E3 Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix this spring. “Everything has gone exceptionally well in recent weeks,” he says. “It’s great to win these monuments, especially in the rainbow jersey. Now it is important to stretch on that top form for another ten days. That will be necessary, because both in the Amstel and next Sunday in Liège-Bastogne-Liège have a field of participants with other, perhaps fresher riders. And riders who climb better than me.”
Relying on your own strength
Who does Van der Poel consider as his main competitors on Sunday? “As you know, I am not concerned with that. I haven’t looked at the start list yet. It sounds cliché, but I mainly rely on my own strength and that of the team. We have proven in recent weeks that as a team we can take control when necessary. I will also be well surrounded on Sunday, with guys who have all proven that they are in good shape. In addition, we are in the right flow. Yes, I think we can travel to Maastricht with confidence.”