Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) capped off a profitable spring marketing campaign with victories at E3 Classics, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix however mentioned {that a} third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège was the perfect he might do towards a rider like Tadej Pogačar (UAE Workforce Emirates).
“I am reasonable sufficient. I do know that if Pogačar has a great day, I can’t comply with him, not even with my finest legs, which is regular,” Van der Poel mentioned in a post-race interview with Biking Professional Web.
“We additionally know that he can have a foul day, or not less than I hope he can have a foul day. He was spectacular once more as we speak, and I feel my Classics season was greater than profitable. I am actually joyful to finish up on the rostrum right here as we speak.”
Van der Poel got here into his Spring Classics off the again of profitable a sixth cyclocross world title in Tabor in February.
Requested if peaking for a greater than six-week interval may need affected his efficiency at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Van der Poel mentioned that whereas he understands it’s tough to mix the cobbled Classics with the Ardennes Classics, he most well-liked to stay reasonable about his efficiency in comparison with Pogačar on such a difficult route.
“It’s attainable. I’ll have underestimated the decompression after the Ronde and Roubaix. The primary factor is that I am already coaching and peaking from cyclocross and that makes it an extended interval to go to Liège,” Van der Poel mentioned.
“Like I mentioned, even with my finest form, it might be tough to comply with Tadej. It is also not a disgrace; everybody has his races, and I did what I needed to do in mine.”
Pogačar gained his sixth profession Monument after attacking up the La Redoute and soloing 34km to the end line, taking the win by 1:39 forward of runner-up Romain Bardet (Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL).
Van der Poel completed third place at 2:02 again, a end result that shocked even himself after he was caught behind a small crash that held up a portion of the peloton on a steep climb with about 100km to go.
He mentioned the hassle he put forth within the chase was tough, and he did not assume they might make it again to the entrance of the race.
“I am joyful as a result of I did not assume I might get a podium spot till about 5km to go, so I feel everybody noticed that this was the best attainable [result] for me as we speak,” Van der Poel mentioned, providing a proof about how he ended up behind the crash.
“It was a giant, large effort. I used to be simply going again to get my leg heaters and gloves. After which a crash occurred. Then, the highway was blocked. I assumed we have been by no means going to see the entrance race once more, and I used to be joyful that after an extended pursuit, we got here again, however I already felt that my legs have been drained a bit.
“However even with the legs of Ronde and Roubaix, I do not assume I might have adopted Pogačar.”
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