Mathieu van der Poel Admits: ‘I May Never Compete Alongside Tadej Pogačar in the Same Race’
Mathieu van der Poel, one of cycling’s most talented and dynamic riders, has recently made a surprising admission: he may never find himself in direct competition with the sport’s dominant all-rounder, Tadej Pogačar, in the same race. This statement, while unexpected, sheds light on the contrasting paths their careers have taken and the unique characteristics that define their respective riding styles.
In recent years, both van der Poel and Pogačar have carved out significant legacies in professional cycling. Van der Poel, hailing from a legendary cycling family, has become known for his explosive style and mastery of the classics, particularly in races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Pogačar, on the other hand, is heralded as one of the most versatile and complete riders of his generation, dominating not only Grand Tours but also excelling in one-day races and stage races alike.
While both riders have achieved remarkable success, their careers have unfolded along different trajectories. This has led van der Poel to reflect on the likelihood—or lack thereof—of going head-to-head with Pogačar on the same course. In this article, we explore the reasons behind van der Poel’s statement, the differences in their racing styles, and what this means for the future of cycling.
### The Rise of Mathieu van der Poel: A Family Legacy and Explosive Talent
Mathieu van der Poel was born into a family steeped in cycling history. His father, Adri van der Poel, was a celebrated professional cyclist, and his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, is considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time. From an early age, it was clear that cycling talent ran deep in van der Poel’s veins.
Van der Poel’s early career was defined by his success in cyclocross, where he won multiple world championships and established himself as one of the sport’s greatest talents. His aggressive style, ability to handle technical terrain, and sheer power made him a force to be reckoned with on the off-road circuit. However, van der Poel soon expanded his horizons and transitioned into road racing, where he quickly made a name for himself.
In 2019, van der Poel burst onto the road racing scene with a sensational victory in the Amstel Gold Race, where he launched a stunning late-race attack to claim the win in one of the most thrilling finales in modern cycling history. This victory marked the beginning of van der Poel’s rise as one of the top classics riders in the world.
Since then, van der Poel has gone on to win prestigious races like the Tour of Flanders (twice), Paris-Roubaix, and Strade Bianche. His explosive power, tactical acumen, and ability to attack on any terrain have made him a favorite in the toughest one-day races. His victories are often the result of bold, audacious attacks, and his racing style has earned him a legion of fans around the world.
However, van der Poel’s focus on the classics and his commitment to cyclocross mean that his racing calendar is often different from that of Pogačar, who is more focused on Grand Tours and stage races. This divergence in focus is one of the key reasons why van der Poel believes he may never truly compete in the same races as Pogačar.
### Tadej Pogačar: A New Standard in Versatility and Consistency
While van der Poel has made his mark in the one-day classics, Tadej Pogačar has taken the cycling world by storm with his dominance across a wide range of races. Pogačar’s meteoric rise began in 2019 when he won three stages and finished third overall in his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España. The following year, he shocked the world by winning the Tour de France in only his second attempt, becoming the youngest winner of the race in over a century.
Pogačar’s victory in the 2020 Tour was one of the most dramatic in recent history. On the penultimate stage, he overturned a significant time deficit to Primož Roglič in the final time trial, snatching the yellow jersey in a stunning display of strength and resilience. This victory not only cemented Pogačar’s status as a Grand Tour contender but also demonstrated his ability to perform under the most intense pressure.
In 2021, Pogačar repeated his Tour de France triumph with a more dominant performance, winning three stages and finishing well ahead of his nearest rivals. But what sets Pogačar apart from other Grand Tour winners is his versatility. In addition to his success in three-week stage races, Pogačar has also won prestigious one-day classics such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, proving that he can excel in virtually any type of race.
Pogačar’s combination of climbing ability, time-trialing prowess, and tactical intelligence makes him one of the most complete riders in the peloton. Unlike many of his Grand Tour rivals, who focus primarily on the three-week races, Pogačar’s calendar includes a wide range of events, allowing him to compete against the best in both stage races and classics. This versatility has made him one of the most feared and respected riders in the world.
However, Pogačar’s focus on Grand Tours and high-profile stage races like Tirreno-Adriatico and the UAE Tour means that he rarely competes in the same races as van der Poel, whose schedule is built around the one-day classics and cyclocross. This divergence in their race calendars is a significant factor in why van der Poel believes their paths may never truly cross in direct competition.
### Different Racing Calendars: Why Van der Poel and Pogačar Rarely Face Each Other
One of the main reasons van der Poel has stated that he may never compete alongside Pogačar is the difference in their racing calendars. Van der Poel’s season is centered around the cobbled classics in the spring and the cyclocross season in the winter. Races like the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and the Amstel Gold Race are his primary targets, and his preparation is tailored to peak for these demanding one-day events.
In contrast, Pogačar’s season revolves around the Grand Tours—primarily the Tour de France—and stage races that allow him to test his climbing and time-trialing skills. While Pogačar does compete in some classics, such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, his focus remains on multi-day events where his endurance and versatility give him a significant advantage over his rivals.
This divergence in focus means that van der Poel and Pogačar rarely find themselves on the same start line. When van der Poel is targeting Paris-Roubaix, Pogačar may be preparing for a stage race like the Critérium du Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse. Similarly, when Pogačar is building up for the Tour de France, van der Poel is often racing in shorter classics or wrapping up his cyclocross season.
The few times they do overlap, such as in the Tour of Flanders or Strade Bianche, their objectives are often different. Pogačar may use these races as preparation for his Grand Tour campaign, while van der Poel is fully committed to winning the event. This difference in approach means that even when they do race together, they may not be competing directly for the same goals.
### The Future of Cycling’s Two Biggest Talents
While van der Poel’s statement that he may never race alongside Pogačar is rooted in the reality of their differing career focuses, it does not diminish the respect and admiration the two riders have for each other. Both van der Poel and Pogačar are trailblazers in their respective disciplines, and their successes have brought a new level of excitement and unpredictability to professional cycling.
For van der Poel, the classics and cyclocross will remain his primary focus, and he will continue to build on his already impressive list of victories. His goal is to dominate the cobbled classics and continue pushing the limits of what is possible in one-day racing. With his explosive power and ability to attack from long distances, van der Poel is sure to remain a fan favorite and a formidable competitor in the races that suit his strengths.
Pogačar, meanwhile, will likely continue to focus on the Grand Tours, where his ability to win on all types of terrain makes him the favorite in almost every race he enters. His dominance in stage races, combined with his growing prowess in one-day events, suggests that he will remain a fixture at the top of the sport for years to come.
While the two riders may not face each other head-to-head as often as fans would like, their careers represent two different but equally compelling narratives in the world of cycling. Van der Poel’s relentless attacking style and focus on the classics provide excitement and unpredictability, while Pogačar’s all-around brilliance and dominance in the Grand Tours continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in professional cycling.
### Conclusion: Different Paths, Same Greatness
Mathieu van der Poel’s admission that he may never compete directly against Tadej Pogačar speaks to the reality of their different focuses in the sport. While their paths may rarely cross on the same racecourses, both riders have already left an indelible mark on the sport of cycling.
For van der Poel, his legacy will be built on his incredible performances in the one-day classics, where his fearless style and powerful attacks have already earned him victories in some of the sport’s most prestigious races. For Pogačar, his legacy will likely be defined by his dominance
