Danny van Poppel begins 2026 Down Under and knows what he wants to achieve in first few months

2025 was a year of realisation for Van Poppel. For several years at BORA-hansgrohe, the recruited sprinters hadn’t succeeded, but suddenly it was lead-out Danny who delivered successes again. Van Poppel won two stages in Hungary, the national championship, and as the icing on the cake the final stage of the Tour of Holland.

“I already have the most beautiful victory. In the Tour of Holland, with number 1 in that champion’s jersey. That was great for me and I still can’t believe I did that. I had ruled out winning, and now I won that race at home in the red-white-blue in a beautiful way. It couldn’t be better.”

That he starts his year on January 20 in Adelaide in the tricolour makes him pinch himself now and then. “I also want to enjoy that champion’s jersey and, for example, show it in the Amstel Gold Race. It’s like I’m world champion. That may sound strange, but I just never expected it anymore. I hadn’t competed for five years because I was done with it. And then I race again and beat Kooij and Groenewegen, simple as that. Amazing.”

Van Poppel ended his year on the last race day and is present again on day one. “It’s starting again, eh. I finished very late and now I’m back into it nicely,” said the Dutch champion. “I’m not really in shape yet, but that can come quickly. Originally Jordi Meeus was supposed to go, but there are some finishes with just a small climb. And I can nicely get used to the train.”

“It’s also a kind of training camp. You’re in the heat, get good massages, good food: many forget that,” Van Poppel says about the Tour Down Under, which is sometimes still seen as a mandatory number. “Many guys now feel that they have to be at altitude to be able to race in the spring. I don’t see it like that at all: it’s actually a good block and a beautiful trip. I’m not so into training camps, so Down Under is a nice option.”

And that while he became a father last year and so is away from home for a long time in January. “Cycling is no longer number one at home, but it’s super nice. Your life no longer revolves only around cycling, which might actually be good. It’s a bit harder to leave home, but fortunately that little one doesn’t yet realise much in the first few months and years.”

After Australia, Van Poppel will be home for a longer period, as he will not race the UAE Tour this season. “Then the Opening Weekend, Tirreno, Sanremo, possibly some Flemish races and then I work towards the Giro. There I will go as a leader and that’s how Zak Dempster sees me too, as a sprinter with a team around me. I’m really looking forward to it: we’re just going for it and then we’ll see. Maybe it hits once or multiple times, maybe not at all. You never know.”

Who will be in that team around Van Poppel then? “I think I’ll have Callum Thornley with me. A name to watch and someone from whom I have expectations. With Arne Marit, Jarrad Drizners, Gianni Vermeersch, Haimer Exteberria and Callum, we have really grown in depth and I’m glad that Zak has seen that too. Nowadays as a sprinter you don’t need much, but it’s nice to have those men who can get over a hill.”

“That is indeed my strength, to be able to drop someone like Merlier or Kooij,” Van Poppel knows where he must find it compared to the absolute top sprinters. “I’ve been thinking about fully focusing on sprinting, but I think I’m better off just surviving that little climb. That’s what we’ll have to rely on anyway.”

“That could also have an advantage in the classics. Every year I’ve at least thought once: shit, maybe I could’ve done this too,” he refers to races including the Omloop. “There aren’t that many classics left for sprinters, but I’ll give it a go. I really haven’t been very good in the spring yet, but for example, the past years I did the UAE Tour. Then it all becomes too much.”

In those Flemish races, Van Poppel will also ride with Dutch teammates Tim and Mick van Dijke. “They’re doing the classics and can of course also get over a hill, so if they’re there… then they can help me very well. They’re great guys and always super positive: they believe more in me than I do myself. It’s also nice that we now have a good core.”

The sprint core of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is being strengthened quite well, with some names you wouldn’t immediately expect at such a multimillion-euro team. According to Van Poppel, the peloton knows all too well how strong someone like Drizners is. “That’s sometimes the pity of cycling, that guys like him do the work before the broadcasts have even started. While it’s super important.”

“Compare it to the way Visma | Lease a Bike signed Timo Kielich. Everyone in the peloton knows that such riders can position, but nowadays it’s all about TrainingPeaks and results. He doesn’t have that, because he helps us.”

“In the really hectic moments it’s always the same guys who show up. Then you think: is he there again, or is he just annoying? (laughs) But that’s actually good.”