“I feel good at the start of the third week for the time being,” said Mathieu van der Poel before the start of the 16th stage.
And he immediately underlined those words on the bike shortly afterwards. Van der Poel again went along in the early flight, with Thomas De Gendt and Mark Cavendish, among others.
That adventure didn’t last long, but it all serves a higher purpose. “Get stronger,” he said with a smile.
“It is still a difficult last week with a lot of climbing in this Giro. The main goal is to get through it well and to finish this grand tour with a good feeling. After that, the Tour will arrive quickly.”
Because his team in France will again count on Van der Poel’s art and flying work, the Roodhooft brothers may prefer to see him get off and save himself, but Van der Poel does not want that.
“I insist on finishing. That will be good for my evolution as a rider.”
Then try to win another stage?
“That will be difficult in the mountains, but I’d rather be here than train again. Moreover, it will be a nice experience. Hopefully that will also get me in top shape at the start of the Tour de France.”
