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Mathieu van der Poel’s adventurous day at Ronde van Vlaanderen

Multidisciplinary superstar suffers bizarre crash and long chase, makes a big save, and still has the power for big attacks and a strong sprint

For most riders, fourth at their first De Ronde van Vlaanderen would be considered a resounding success. For cyclocross world champion and interdisciplinary superstar Mathieu van der Poel (Coredon-Circus) it’s a story of what could have been. The Dutch champion had quite the day out in Flanders but a crash in a pivotal moment with 60-km to go put a big dent in his chance to taste success.

Van der Poel hit a planter at speed when he was forced to the outside of the peloton with 60-km to race. The impact with the curb at a time the peloton were speeding towards the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg doubleheader burst his tire and damaged his front wheel. It seemed for a time that he would be able to recover from the mishap but as he slowed down with his arm up asking for mechanical assistance he was thrown from his bike over the handlebars hitting the pavement hard.

It looked like his race was done as he sat holding his shoulder but miraculously he was able to recover. A long chase ensued in which van der Poel, who was tipped for success at Flanders after a convincing win at Dwars door Vlaanderen, rode through groups distanced from the front of the race.

He got back to the front of the race and lead the leaders of the Paterberg for the last time but was unable to break away from the group. His efforts from the long chase taking their toll on the 24-year-old. As the lead group regrouped, van der Poel almost had another incident but this time his world-class bike handling skills saved him from kissing the pavement.

Van der Poel appears to try and hop onto an uneven sidewalk but gets his wheels stuck in a rut between the curb and the road. He’s put completely off balance but miraculously recovered. He maintained contact with the chase riders who were in pursuit of Alberto Bettiol who launched a powerful attack on the Oude Kwaremont in a moment that van der Poel was unable to respond, still recovering from his effort to get back to the leaders.

Van der Poel would still finish a very respectable fourth and was arguably the strongest rider in the race. He beat his cyclocross rival Wout van Aert who finished 14th and looked like a future winner of the race.

The Dutch champion, who’s father Adri won De Ronde in 1986, will skip Roubaix but return to action at Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race. He’s then expected to turn his focus to XCO mountain biking targeting a medal at the 2020 Olympics in the discipline.