Van der Poel being Van der Poel: from "maintaining top form for ten more days" to "haven't looked at the participants list yet"

Mathieu van der Poel is more than ready for the Amstel Gold Race. The world champion can already call this season a success, having won the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. However, this coming Sunday, and a week later in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, he can make it even better.

Van der Poel has already won the Amstel Gold Race once in 2019, after one of the most epic editions in history. In 2022, he participated again and finished fourth. Needless to say, the hills of Dutch Limburg suit him well. "I enjoy returning to Amstel. I will never forget that victory in 2019. It was a spectacular outcome that captured the imagination. It was also my first real major road victory. Those are moments you cherish."

This Sunday, he would like to add another unforgettable memory. "The fact that I finished fourth in 2022 proved that the Limburg hills suit me. It's like a mini Tour of Flanders, with many turns and steep hills, but without the cobblestones."

Van der Poel relying on strong Alpecin-Deceuninck

His form is excellent; there is no doubt about that. In the week between Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race, Van der Poel prepared in Belgium and the Netherlands. "Everything has gone excellently in recent weeks, with victories in the E3, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. It's fantastic to win Monuments like that, especially in the rainbow jersey. It is now important to maintain this top form for another ten days. That will be necessary, as in the Amstel and Liège, I will compete against other riders, who haven't had as many race days. And also, riders who are better climbers than me."

The fact that he scouted the course again on Wednesday was more out of fun than necessity. "I know the roads well, but it was a good refresher. That can never be bad. I'm not too worried about my competitors for Sunday. I haven't looked at the start list yet. It sounds cliché, but I rely on my own strength and that of the team. We have proven in recent weeks that we can control the race when necessary. On Sunday, I will be supported by men who are in good form. We are in a positive flow, so I can head to Maastricht with confidence."