After a breakthrough 2019 season and a memorable win at the Amstel Gold Race, Mathieu van der Poel is looking strong one week before his rainbow jersey bid.
The Dutchman finished 19th at the Primus Classic, the final test before Worlds’ road race, and after racing for almost 200km, he went for a 100km training ride.
“I was able to test my legs and it felt good,” Van der Poel told Het Laatste Nieuws, “[it] was just a matter of getting the distance in the legs.
“I think it’s important to ride once in the region of 300 kilometres. I didn’t get that at the Tour of Britain. This was the ideal day for it, and it’s how I did it for the Classics.”
“I wasn’t very well positioned,” Van der Poel said. “And anyway, if the race isn’t difficult enough, I’m normally not the fastest at this type of finish. I just crossed the line quietly.”
The World Championships elite road race will take place on Sunday September 29, with the peloton setting off from Leeds before eventually finishing in Harrogate.
