Mathieu van der Poel explains his tactical approach in the finale after Tirreno-Adriatico gravel-stage win
CyclingTuesday, 10 March 2026 at 21:00
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleHe was not at the start of Strade Bianche on Saturday, but three days later Mathieu van der Poel still powered to victory on a Tirreno-Adriatico stage shaped by a gravel-heavy finale. The Dutchman of Alpecin-Premier Tech drove the pace himself and then finished it off in style in San Gimignano.
ADVERTISEMENT
With 6.8 kilometres to go, the peloton turned onto the decisive gravel sector, and Van der Poel immediately moved to the front. “We entered that gravel sector and Julian Alaphilippe attacked. I then took over, knowing some more technical corners were coming up.”
“I tried to make the race as hard as possible,” Van der Poel explained. Because of a crash by Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), he found himself out in front alone, before GC riders Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) managed to bridge across.
That left Van der Poel to take on two climbers in a demanding finale. “It was very hard and the level on that final climb was incredibly high. It also rained at the end of the stage and that made it quite tricky, but the team did a really good job,” he added, also praising the team-mates who had helped position him perfectly for the decisive section.
Read more below the video
Van der Poel ticks off his goal
In the end, the Dutchman did manage to finish it off in the final rising metres in the historic city centre. “It was a difficult little sprint. It was pretty slippery, so it was hard to stay on top of the pedals. I had just enough energy left to take the win,” Van der Poel said afterwards.
That means he has already ticked off one of his main goals for the week. “I’m here to prepare for Milan-San Remo and the other Classics, but also to win a stage. Last year I came close a few times, so I’m happy it worked out again now.”
Read also
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
IDL-productions
2026 Vuelta a España Stage 21 preview | Route change boosts Van Aert as Granada circuit sparks safety debate
2026 GP Montreal preview | Evenepoel and Pidcock face World Championships dress rehearsal
2026 Vuelta a España route | Going into Stage 20, let’s keep in mind: since Pogacar withdrew, only one GC contender has won
2026 Vuelta a España Stage 20 preview | The monstrous mountain stage everyone has feared for weeks
From the Scottish Borders to leading the Vuelta a España time trial: the rapid rise of Britain's Callum Thornley
Latest Cycling News
2026 Vuelta a España Stage 21 preview | Route change boosts Van Aert as Granada circuit sparks safety debate
Sepp Kuss thanks Van Aert and Nordhagen after stunning Vuelta raid: 'I had goosebumps all day'
Enric Mas finally sounds like a Vuelta winner after Stage 20: ‘I saw myself as the winner’
Carapaz wins over Vuelta fans, but will look enviously at Kuss and Visma | Lease a Bike
Felix Gall admits defensive Vuelta tactics as Roglič's second place ends up just 29 seconds away
Popular Cycling News
Vuelta a España 2026 Standings | Mas and Van Aert celebrate, but Kuss shakes up the top five
2026 Vuelta a España start list & dropouts | 39 dropouts after punishing three weeks
2026 Vuelta a España route | Going into Stage 20, let’s keep in mind: since Pogacar withdrew, only one GC contender has won
2026 Vuelta a España Stage 20 preview | The monstrous mountain stage everyone has feared for weeks
Vuelta final stage in doubt again as teams raise concerns over ‘dangerous circuit’
Latest Comments
- Pogi is the Road Warrior par excellence. Come back even stronger much to the chagrin of all other competitors.
Brucegel12-09-2026 - - Félicitations in advance si ça se concrétise. Line-up looks très britannique mais con ambición grande. Tour 2027 en Edimbourg sería épico si les invitan.gearguru3310-09-2026
- - Vamos Ethan! Breakaway king of this Vuelta and super combative. Today’s flat chrono is perfect terrain—just keep it clean through the Jerez crosswinds.breakawaybikerd10-09-2026
- - Bit cautious here. Hayter’s had stop-start seasons with crashes/illness and I still don’t know if he’s a GC week-long guy or a TT/sprint hybrid. Curious whether they build around him or Pidcock first.pedalpowe2910-09-2026
- - Hayter’s engine + Q5’s growing train could smash team TTs and medium sprint stages. Mauro Schmid + Bittner coming too? That’s a nasty lead-out combo if they gel.cyclechamp4510-09-2026
- - Can someone explain how ProTeams get Tour invites? If Q5 aren’t automatic, what results do they need—UCI points, one-day wins, or stage race podiums? Confused how that process works.samanthak10-09-2026
- - Love the Edinburgh Grand Départ angle. If ASO is on the fence, a British TT champ in form plus Pidcock makes that wildcard case much stronger. Q5 look less like a ProTeam and more like a budding GC/ Classics hybrid.jennifer1910-09-2026
- - Not sure the piece nails the contract timing. Says “for 2027” but what about 2025–26? Is he staying at Soudal through 2026 even after being told no extension? Sounds a bit contradictory tbh.robert6510-09-2026
- - Huge if true. Hayter to Q5 alongside Pidcock, Wright and Gloag gives them a legit British core. With Glasenberg’s backing they’re clearly aiming at TdF wildcardHope he nails today’s TT after missing the Bilbao opener by09s—that’s been haunting him all Vuelta.tourdeforce910-09-2026
- - Love the honesty about hesitating because of Remco’s messages. Ego flattered but head ruled. That’s grown-up stuff. Vamos Tim, forza UAE!andrewf10-09-2026
Loading
