Alpecin-Deceuninck faces big Tour questions: What’s the plan for van der Poel, green, yellow, or both?

Van der Poel spiced up the Dauphiné, which was dominated by Tadej Pogacar, by frequently launching attacks. In the opening stage, the Dutchman was already in contention for the sprint with the big names before joining the breakaway group in stages three, six, and eight. “Pretty satisfied,” said Christoph Roodhooft after the race. “Of course, we went there with the ambition to win a stage, and Mathieu also narrowly missed out on the green jersey. We can be satisfied with the intensity of the training. That goal has certainly been achieved.”

According to the Belgian, van der Poel's offensive maneuvers are a very good sign. “That will also have something to do with his feeling good. You can create incentives as much as you want, but it also concerns your condition and form.” There was also relief in the team, as the wrist injury did not appear to be too serious. “Mathieu will still feel it, but in the adrenaline and hectic pace of the race, it wasn't too bad in the end. I think it will be completely forgotten and out of the picture in three weeks, at the start of the Tour.”

Where Van der Poel just missed out on winning the points classification in the Dauphiné, there are more opportunities for green in the upcoming Tour de France. Especially in the first week, there are a lot of stages that suit the Dutchman perfectly. “Those opportunities are there for many riders. There are other interests at play in the Tour from the start, so it's not always an open race. It won't be easy, but he has a very good chance of doing something,” Roodhooft said to Sporza.

Due to the hilly stages in the first week, van der Poel could easily find himself in the yellow jersey for a few days. “In a Tour that is so carefully planned, all types of riders, such as Mathieu and Wout van Aert, have that in mind,” Roodhooft knows. “With the time bonuses in the first stages, he can automatically build up a margin towards the time trial. Those are opportunities he has to take when they occur.

And so the question is: will Van der Poel go for the yellow and/or the green? “We haven't thought that far ahead yet,” Roodhooft is clear. “The first priority will be the bunch sprint on day one. For the non-climbers, it's a more pleasant Tour to go to. We always go with the ambition to win a stage. We won't change that, even if it sometimes sounds like a modest ambition. It's certainly not easy.”

When asked who will support the Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck in the Tour de France, Roodhooft is quick to respond. “Our longlist isn't so long anymore. We know who we'll choose in an ideal situation.” In any case, the team leader seems to be in good shape. “Mathieu is training well now, followed by a week of rest before the Tour.”