Mathieu van der Poel is renowned for his exceptional skills on the bike. His ability to carve through corners with near-millimeter precision at incredible speeds often leaves fans in awe. Take, for instance, the 2023 Paris-Roubaix, where he came so close to the edge of the road while leading that it had cycling enthusiasts gasping.
Take a moment to appreciate the bonkers bike handling skills of Mathieu van der Poel
Another memorable moment was at the 2023 Dwars door het Hageland. Van der Poel, known for his aggressive racing style, drove the pace from the start, energizing the race. Unfortunately, a puncture thwarted his chances of victory. The win went to the Norwegian champion in a three-rider sprint. Stan Van Tricht (Soudal – Quick Step) and Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny) rounding out the top three. Despite the misfortune, Van der Poel’s performance left a lasting impression.
Power….unlimited….power!
Van der Poel’s prowess isn’t limited to bike handling; his power on the pedals is equally extraordinary. At a cyclocross World Cup in Spain, amidst a challenging course where riders were spread out, he made his move on the longer climb toward the finish. In lap 3, he showcased his strength by overtaking eight competitors. That included some of the world’s best ‘cross racers, though a crash eventually hampered his efforts.
Lots of skills to pay the bills
His bike handling skills are consistently impressive. At the 2023 Dutch championships, as he surged up a short climb, he skillfully navigated around a stray bottle in the road. At full speed, he casually nudged the bottle off the road with his front wheel, demonstrating his finesse.
Mathieu van der Poel did the coolest thing with his front wheel at the Dutch champs
However, even the greats have their moments. On Thursday, during the time trial at the Renewi Tour in Belgium, fans held their breath as he nearly lost control while negotiating a corner. It appeared he might have snagged a pedal, but he managed to save it, avoiding what could have been a significant setback for his upcoming rainbow jersey defence.
Close (very close) call. Wonderful save.
🚀 @mathieuvdpoel through the streets of #Tessenderlo during the @RenewiTour TT. #MVDP pic.twitter.com/7ip7y6UV0S
— Alpecin-Deceuninck Cycling Team (@AlpecinDCK) August 29, 2024
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