{"id":1863773,"date":"2026-04-03T08:54:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T05:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1863773"},"modified":"2026-04-03T08:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T05:54:24","slug":"power-files-comparing-mathieu-van-der-poels-staggering-e3-saxo-classic-data-to-that-amstel-gold-win-shows-how-far-cycling-has-come-in-just-7-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1863773","title":{"rendered":"Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nFqVnHQ7d4QpavQfb6YCWD-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\">\n<p id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nTom Wieckowski <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:54:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The differences are stark, proving just how much the Dutchman has improved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nFqVnHQ7d4QpavQfb6YCWD.jpg\" alt=\"Race winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech competes passing through the Oude Kwaremont cobblestones sector during the 68th E3 Saxo Classic 2026\" class=\"block-image-ads hero-image absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full object-center\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\u00a0\/\u00a0Staff)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>    <span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<aside class=\"[&amp;&gt;svg]:max-h-10 [&amp;&gt;svg]:w-auto [&amp;&gt;svg]:h-full my-4\">\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-10\">\n<\/div>\n<div role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"grid min-h-[140px] w-full place-items-center rounded-lg p-6 mb-4\">\n<\/div>\n<p><span role=\"alert\" aria-live=\"assertive\"><\/span><\/p>\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930\">Mathieu van der Poel battled to a last-gasp solo victory at E3 Saxo Classic just under a week ago.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>The Dutch superstar claimed his third straight victory at the race, but surprisingly, his long-range solo effort floundered at the death as a four-man chase group slowly but surely reeled him in.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He found one last effort to stay clear as the chase faltered behind, but any illusions that the Classics superstar was in subpar form were cast aside when the Dutchman uploaded an Instagram story after the race.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__padding\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__container\">\n<div class=\"jw-carousel-signposting\"><span class=\"jw-carousel-signposting__title\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin-Premier Tech&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel reacts after winning the &amp;#039;E3 Classic&amp;#039;, one day cycling race, 208.8 km from and to Harelbeke, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ Belgium OUT\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf.jpg\" alt=\"BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - JULY 06: (L-R) Stage winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprint at finish line during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 2 a 209.1km stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2025 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The story, simply a screenshot from his training app Training Peaks, showed he set an all-time 90-minute power personal best of 446 watts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a man who has dominated several races with long solo breakaways and taken some incredibly dominant wins in his career, it&#8217;s surprising to see his personal best come on a day that almost fell apart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In the wake of this upload, Cyclingnews dug back through the archives to see how this figure stacks up against his past performances.<\/p>\n<p>Can we learn anything about Van der Poel himself, the wider peloton this season, or even the expected battle with his great rivals Tadej Poga\u010dar and Wout van Aert at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\" id=\"elk-DWbhMsumXqZ\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by Velon CC (@veloncc)<\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2e567337-7ae0-4342-8bef-14596473a724\">Mathieu van der Poel is generally believed to weigh in at around 75kg, which means, based on his post, he rode at just under six watts per kilo for 90 minutes; an incredible power no doubt.<\/p>\n<p>But one of his breakout wins, and still one of his most spectacular, was his 2019 win at the Amstel Gold Race. Conveniently, it&#8217;s also a race that he posted to his Strava account with power numbers, providing a useful comparison against this week&#8217;s upload.<\/p>\n<p>During the final 90 minutes of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel rode a still-impressive, but much lower 325 watts.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RttXU4rieRczNfHkSWUkE5.jpg\" alt=\"2025 Le Samyn: Mathieu van der Poel takes the win in his first race of the year\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year&#8217;s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6.jpg\" alt=\"GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 28: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2026 during the match between Omloop Nieuwsblad v Men Elite at the Gent on February 28, 2026 in Gent Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Of course, it was a different race with different parcours, and he wasn&#8217;t riding completely solo (even if he did drag the group back to the front of the race by himself towards the end).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cbed152f-17e1-40fe-8b99-ebce35e600ec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PtLttQFug6kRDbbDTAWR6X.jpg\" alt=\"The final 12 minutes of Van der Poel&amp;#039;s Amstel Gold\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline expandable\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">For the final 11:36 of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel averaged 434 watts. <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Strava)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-285a1f5d-5c1a-4c2e-b5e2-4cb089d55cbe\">Perhaps a more stark comparison is that for the final 12 minutes of Amstel Gold &#8211; the part where he went on his rampage and rode his group back to the front of the race, attacked, caught the leaders and sprinted at 1400 watts to win the race &#8211; he averaged just 434 watts.<\/p>\n<p>At E3 Saxo Classic, he not only held 12 watts more power, but he did it for 7.5 times as long. This highlights how Van der Poel has improved, but also how much stronger the peloton as a whole is nowadays.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 2019, that power was so ridiculous that almost every cycling media outlet on the internet wrote a story breaking it down. Nowadays, it&#8217;s barely enough to keep you from being caught by Stan Dewulf and Florian Vermeersch, who, no offence to the pair, had respectively been in the breakaway all day and had an awfully-timed puncture earlier in the race.<\/p>\n<p>Admittedly, there was a cross\/headwind in the latter part of the race. Van der Poel will have had to use all of his strength to maintain his speed while the chase group behind was afforded some respite, perhaps a key factor in them being able to pull him back as he tired in the final stages of the race.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead to the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, there will be another solo breakaway artist on the two respective start lines, in the form of Tadej Poga\u010dar. The Slovenian world champion is believed to have averaged around 380 watts during his 80km solo attack at Strade Bianche this year. While this is a lower figure on paper, his lower weight and the hillier Strade route may have affected the average. Regardless, it&#8217;s an interesting comparison when it comes to power top trumps.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no one truly knows what Van der Poel is capable of except himself, his team and those close to him. It is safe to say that the Dutchman is surely one of the most powerful riders the sport has ever seen, and his performances have only been boosted by cycling&#8217;s wholesale improvements in training, nutrition and fuelling over the past several years.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the numbers, it takes more than just brute strength to win a Monument. Power-to-weight will certainly be a factor when the two titans of our sport do battle again in Flanders. Judging by their last few performances, neither will go down without a fight.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"kiosq-app-paywall-js\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"this-will-be-used-for-mpu-2\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bSWChr43p3UDAcHy2LdQNE.jpg\" alt=\"Tom Wieckowski\" class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Tom Wieckowski<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"button-social__icon\"><\/span><span class=\"button-social__icon button-social__icon-email\"><\/span><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Tech writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn\u2019t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it\u2019s made of.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar and Alberto Contador. He&#8217;s also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-[--truncate-height] sm:h-[--truncate-desktop-height] overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[--truncate-gradient-color,white] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"infinite-container\" data-analytics-id=\"infinite-container\" data-component-name=\"SponsoredScroll\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"infinite-container\">\n<div class=\"infinite-trigger\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin-Premier Tech&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel reacts after winning the &amp;#039;E3 Classic&amp;#039;, one day cycling race, 208.8 km from and to Harelbeke, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ Belgium OUT\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf.jpg\" alt=\"BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - JULY 06: (L-R) Stage winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprint at finish line during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 2 a 209.1km stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2025 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RttXU4rieRczNfHkSWUkE5.jpg\" alt=\"2025 Le Samyn: Mathieu van der Poel takes the win in his first race of the year\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year&#8217;s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6.jpg\" alt=\"GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 28: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2026 during the match between Omloop Nieuwsblad v Men Elite at the Gent on February 28, 2026 in Gent Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" alt=\"MIDDELKERKE, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands, Ben Turner of INEOS Grenadiers of Great Britain during the Flanders Fields Men Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Middelkerke Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ.jpg\" alt=\"WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx - Protime of Netherlands during the   Flanders Fields Women Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Wevelgem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN.jpg\" alt=\"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 07: Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain and Team CANYON\/SRAM zondacrypto celebrates at podium as White best young jersey winner during the 4th UAE Tour Women 2026, Stage 3 a 145km stage from Abu Dhabi TeamLab Phenomena to Abu Dhabi Breakwater on February 07, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zAAf2cy6Vdo8jfjbvVofiH.jpg\" alt=\"GUILHERAND-GRANGES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 05: Tadej Pogacar and Team Slovenia (R) attacks to Remco Evenepoel and Team Belgium (L) in the breakaway during the 31st UEC Road Cycling European Championships 2025 - Men&amp;#039;s Elite Road Race a 202.5km race from Privas to Guilherand-Granges on October 05, 2025 in Guilherand-Granges, France. (Photo by Bernard Papon - Pool\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG.png\" alt=\"Composite image showing Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot all celebrating winning races\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" alt=\"MIDDELKERKE, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands, Ben Turner of INEOS Grenadiers of Great Britain during the Flanders Fields Men Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Middelkerke Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ.jpg\" alt=\"WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx - Protime of Netherlands during the   Flanders Fields Women Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Wevelgem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN.jpg\" alt=\"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 07: Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain and Team CANYON\/SRAM zondacrypto celebrates at podium as White best young jersey winner during the 4th UAE Tour Women 2026, Stage 3 a 145km stage from Abu Dhabi TeamLab Phenomena to Abu Dhabi Breakwater on February 07, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zAAf2cy6Vdo8jfjbvVofiH.jpg\" alt=\"GUILHERAND-GRANGES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 05: Tadej Pogacar and Team Slovenia (R) attacks to Remco Evenepoel and Team Belgium (L) in the breakaway during the 31st UEC Road Cycling European Championships 2025 - Men&amp;#039;s Elite Road Race a 202.5km race from Privas to Guilherand-Granges on October 05, 2025 in Guilherand-Granges, France. (Photo by Bernard Papon - Pool\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG.jpg\" alt=\"WAREGEM, BELGIUM - APRIL 1: Lotte Kopecky of Team SD Worx - Protime of Belgium during the match between Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026 v Women&amp;#039;s Elite at the Waregem on April 1, 2026 in Waregem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m just at the level I want to be&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says she &#8216;doesn&#8217;t really care&#8217; whether rivals view her as Tour of Flanders frontrunner<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-middle-1\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-middle-1 widget-ads-ads-middle-1 widget-no-data widget-ads-flexi_ads_middle1\">\n<div id=\"bdx_flexi_ads_middle1\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"flexi_ads_middle1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"follow-us-on-google-news\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-follow-us-on-google-news widget-contentparsed-follow-us-on-google-news widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-curated \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the 'E3 Saxo Bank Classic' one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\">\n<p id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nTom Wieckowski <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:54:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The differences are stark, proving just how much the Dutchman has improved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930\">Mathieu van der Poel battled to a last-gasp solo victory at E3 Saxo Classic just under a week ago.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>The Dutch superstar claimed his third straight victory at the race, but surprisingly, his long-range solo effort floundered at the death as a four-man chase group slowly but surely reeled him in.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He found one last effort to stay clear as the chase faltered behind, but any illusions that the Classics superstar was in subpar form were cast aside when the Dutchman uploaded an Instagram story after the race.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__padding\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__container\">\n<div class=\"jw-carousel-signposting\"><span class=\"jw-carousel-signposting__title\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin-Premier Tech&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel reacts after winning the &amp;#039;E3 Classic&amp;#039;, one day cycling race, 208.8 km from and to Harelbeke, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ Belgium OUT\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf.jpg\" alt=\"BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - JULY 06: (L-R) Stage winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprint at finish line during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 2 a 209.1km stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2025 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The story, simply a screenshot from his training app Training Peaks, showed he set an all-time 90-minute power personal best of 446 watts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a man who has dominated several races with long solo breakaways and taken some incredibly dominant wins in his career, it&#8217;s surprising to see his personal best come on a day that almost fell apart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In the wake of this upload, Cyclingnews dug back through the archives to see how this figure stacks up against his past performances.<\/p>\n<p>Can we learn anything about Van der Poel himself, the wider peloton this season, or even the expected battle with his great rivals Tadej Poga\u010dar and Wout van Aert at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\" id=\"elk-DWbhMsumXqZ\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by Velon CC (@veloncc)<\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2e567337-7ae0-4342-8bef-14596473a724\">Mathieu van der Poel is generally believed to weigh in at around 75kg, which means, based on his post, he rode at just under six watts per kilo for 90 minutes; an incredible power no doubt.<\/p>\n<p>But one of his breakout wins, and still one of his most spectacular, was his 2019 win at the Amstel Gold Race. Conveniently, it&#8217;s also a race that he posted to his Strava account with power numbers, providing a useful comparison against this week&#8217;s upload.<\/p>\n<p>During the final 90 minutes of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel rode a still-impressive, but much lower 325 watts.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RttXU4rieRczNfHkSWUkE5.jpg\" alt=\"2025 Le Samyn: Mathieu van der Poel takes the win in his first race of the year\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year&#8217;s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6.jpg\" alt=\"GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 28: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2026 during the match between Omloop Nieuwsblad v Men Elite at the Gent on February 28, 2026 in Gent Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Of course, it was a different race with different parcours, and he wasn&#8217;t riding completely solo (even if he did drag the group back to the front of the race by himself towards the end).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cbed152f-17e1-40fe-8b99-ebce35e600ec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PtLttQFug6kRDbbDTAWR6X.jpg\" alt=\"The final 12 minutes of Van der Poel&amp;#039;s Amstel Gold\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline expandable\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">For the final 11:36 of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel averaged 434 watts. <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Strava)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-285a1f5d-5c1a-4c2e-b5e2-4cb089d55cbe\">Perhaps a more stark comparison is that for the final 12 minutes of Amstel Gold &#8211; the part where he went on his rampage and rode his group back to the front of the race, attacked, caught the leaders and sprinted at 1400 watts to win the race &#8211; he averaged just 434 watts.<\/p>\n<p>At E3 Saxo Classic, he not only held 12 watts more power, but he did it for 7.5 times as long. This highlights how Van der Poel has improved, but also how much stronger the peloton as a whole is nowadays.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 2019, that power was so ridiculous that almost every cycling media outlet on the internet wrote a story breaking it down. Nowadays, it&#8217;s barely enough to keep you from being caught by Stan Dewulf and Florian Vermeersch, who, no offence to the pair, had respectively been in the breakaway all day and had an awfully-timed puncture earlier in the race.<\/p>\n<p>Admittedly, there was a cross\/headwind in the latter part of the race. Van der Poel will have had to use all of his strength to maintain his speed while the chase group behind was afforded some respite, perhaps a key factor in them being able to pull him back as he tired in the final stages of the race.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead to the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, there will be another solo breakaway artist on the two respective start lines, in the form of Tadej Poga\u010dar. The Slovenian world champion is believed to have averaged around 380 watts during his 80km solo attack at Strade Bianche this year. While this is a lower figure on paper, his lower weight and the hillier Strade route may have affected the average. Regardless, it&#8217;s an interesting comparison when it comes to power top trumps.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no one truly knows what Van der Poel is capable of except himself, his team and those close to him. It is safe to say that the Dutchman is surely one of the most powerful riders the sport has ever seen, and his performances have only been boosted by cycling&#8217;s wholesale improvements in training, nutrition and fuelling over the past several years.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the numbers, it takes more than just brute strength to win a Monument. Power-to-weight will certainly be a factor when the two titans of our sport do battle again in Flanders. Judging by their last few performances, neither will go down without a fight.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"kiosq-app-paywall-js\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"this-will-be-used-for-mpu-2\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bSWChr43p3UDAcHy2LdQNE.jpg\" alt=\"Tom Wieckowski\" class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Tom Wieckowski<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"button-social__icon\"><\/span><span class=\"button-social__icon button-social__icon-email\"><\/span><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Tech writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn\u2019t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it\u2019s made of.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar and Alberto Contador. He&#8217;s also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-[--truncate-height] sm:h-[--truncate-desktop-height] overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[--truncate-gradient-color,white] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"infinite-container\" data-analytics-id=\"infinite-container\" data-component-name=\"SponsoredScroll\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"infinite-container\">\n<div class=\"infinite-trigger\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin-Premier Tech&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel reacts after winning the &amp;#039;E3 Classic&amp;#039;, one day cycling race, 208.8 km from and to Harelbeke, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ Belgium OUT\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf.jpg\" alt=\"BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - JULY 06: (L-R) Stage winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprint at finish line during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 2 a 209.1km stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2025 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RttXU4rieRczNfHkSWUkE5.jpg\" alt=\"2025 Le Samyn: Mathieu van der Poel takes the win in his first race of the year\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year&#8217;s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6.jpg\" alt=\"GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 28: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2026 during the match between Omloop Nieuwsblad v Men Elite at the Gent on February 28, 2026 in Gent Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" alt=\"MIDDELKERKE, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands, Ben Turner of INEOS Grenadiers of Great Britain during the Flanders Fields Men Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Middelkerke Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ.jpg\" alt=\"WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx - Protime of Netherlands during the   Flanders Fields Women Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Wevelgem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN.jpg\" alt=\"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 07: Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain and Team CANYON\/SRAM zondacrypto celebrates at podium as White best young jersey winner during the 4th UAE Tour Women 2026, Stage 3 a 145km stage from Abu Dhabi TeamLab Phenomena to Abu Dhabi Breakwater on February 07, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zAAf2cy6Vdo8jfjbvVofiH.jpg\" alt=\"GUILHERAND-GRANGES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 05: Tadej Pogacar and Team Slovenia (R) attacks to Remco Evenepoel and Team Belgium (L) in the breakaway during the 31st UEC Road Cycling European Championships 2025 - Men&amp;#039;s Elite Road Race a 202.5km race from Privas to Guilherand-Granges on October 05, 2025 in Guilherand-Granges, France. (Photo by Bernard Papon - Pool\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG.png\" alt=\"Composite image showing Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot all celebrating winning races\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" alt=\"MIDDELKERKE, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands, Ben Turner of INEOS Grenadiers of Great Britain during the Flanders Fields Men Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Middelkerke Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ.jpg\" alt=\"WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - MARCH 29: Lorena Wiebes of Team SD Worx - Protime of Netherlands during the   Flanders Fields Women Elite at the Wevelgem on March 29, 2026 in Wevelgem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN.jpg\" alt=\"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 07: Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain and Team CANYON\/SRAM zondacrypto celebrates at podium as White best young jersey winner during the 4th UAE Tour Women 2026, Stage 3 a 145km stage from Abu Dhabi TeamLab Phenomena to Abu Dhabi Breakwater on February 07, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zAAf2cy6Vdo8jfjbvVofiH.jpg\" alt=\"GUILHERAND-GRANGES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 05: Tadej Pogacar and Team Slovenia (R) attacks to Remco Evenepoel and Team Belgium (L) in the breakaway during the 31st UEC Road Cycling European Championships 2025 - Men&amp;#039;s Elite Road Race a 202.5km race from Privas to Guilherand-Granges on October 05, 2025 in Guilherand-Granges, France. (Photo by Bernard Papon - Pool\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG.jpg\" alt=\"WAREGEM, BELGIUM - APRIL 1: Lotte Kopecky of Team SD Worx - Protime of Belgium during the match between Dwars door Vlaanderen 2026 v Women&amp;#039;s Elite at the Waregem on April 1, 2026 in Waregem Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"object-cover w-full h-full\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                <span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m just at the level I want to be&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says she &#8216;doesn&#8217;t really care&#8217; whether rivals view her as Tour of Flanders frontrunner<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post max-w-full [&amp;.sponsored-post--loaded+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden [&amp;[data-bordeaux-hook-loaded]+.sponsored-post--placeholder]:hidden\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n        <span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"font-ui-heading bg-[--ad-slot-badge-bg-color] absolute text-xs font-bold leading-[14px] tracking-normal text-left text-white px-2.5 py-[5px] left-0 top-0 empty:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative bg-gray-200\"><\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-middle-1\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-middle-1 widget-ads-ads-middle-1 widget-no-data widget-ads-flexi_ads_middle1\">\n<div id=\"bdx_flexi_ads_middle1\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"flexi_ads_middle1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"follow-us-on-google-news\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-follow-us-on-google-news widget-contentparsed-follow-us-on-google-news widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-curated \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C.jpg\" alt=\"Belgian Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates-XRG pictured after the 'E3 Saxo Bank Classic' one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\">\n<p id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\">\n<span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nTom Wieckowski <\/span><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:54:24Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The differences are stark, proving just how much the Dutchman has improved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930\">Mathieu van der Poel battled to a last-gasp solo victory at E3 Saxo Classic just under a week ago.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>The Dutch superstar claimed his third straight victory at the race, but surprisingly, his long-range solo effort floundered at the death as a four-man chase group slowly but surely reeled him in.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-09927cd0-3f50-4e1e-94c2-85151978a930-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He found one last effort to stay clear as the chase faltered behind, but any illusions that the Classics superstar was in subpar form were cast aside when the Dutchman uploaded an Instagram story after the race.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mid-article-leaderboard\" class=\"ad-unit sm:hidden block\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__padding\">\n<div class=\"van_vid_carousel__container\">\n<div class=\"jw-carousel-signposting\"><span class=\"jw-carousel-signposting__title\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin-Premier Tech&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel reacts after winning the &amp;#039;E3 Classic&amp;#039;, one day cycling race, 208.8 km from and to Harelbeke, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ Belgium OUT\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech pictured after the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS (Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf.jpg\" alt=\"BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - JULY 06: (L-R) Stage winner Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprint at finish line during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 2 a 209.1km stage from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2025 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The story, simply a screenshot from his training app Training Peaks, showed he set an all-time 90-minute power personal best of 446 watts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a man who has dominated several races with long solo breakaways and taken some incredibly dominant wins in his career, it&#8217;s surprising to see his personal best come on a day that almost fell apart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In the wake of this upload, Cyclingnews dug back through the archives to see how this figure stacks up against his past performances.<\/p>\n<p>Can we learn anything about Van der Poel himself, the wider peloton this season, or even the expected battle with his great rivals Tadej Poga\u010dar and Wout van Aert at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oTjfYXqEpGqosejPcPZBBE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\" id=\"elk-DWbhMsumXqZ\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by Velon CC (@veloncc)<\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2e567337-7ae0-4342-8bef-14596473a724\">Mathieu van der Poel is generally believed to weigh in at around 75kg, which means, based on his post, he rode at just under six watts per kilo for 90 minutes; an incredible power no doubt.<\/p>\n<p>But one of his breakout wins, and still one of his most spectacular, was his 2019 win at the Amstel Gold Race. Conveniently, it&#8217;s also a race that he posted to his Strava account with power numbers, providing a useful comparison against this week&#8217;s upload.<\/p>\n<p>During the final 90 minutes of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel rode a still-impressive, but much lower 325 watts.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RttXU4rieRczNfHkSWUkE5.jpg\" alt=\"2025 Le Samyn: Mathieu van der Poel takes the win in his first race of the year\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Game changer: How Mathieu van der Poel will completely alter the shape of this year&#8217;s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qr7jhDanbFMdv4rQHuvjv6.jpg\" alt=\"GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 28: Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech of Netherlands wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2026 during the match between Omloop Nieuwsblad v Men Elite at the Gent on February 28, 2026 in Gent Belgium (Photo by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I&#8217;m 1% off, Tadej will be gone&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel prepares to take on Poga\u010dar on the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn.jpg\" alt=\"Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the &amp;#039;E3 Saxo Bank Classic&amp;#039; one day cycling race, 208,8km from and to Harelbeke, on Friday 27 March 2026. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aspect-square size-[75px] object-cover flex-shrink-0 rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Of course, it was a different race with different parcours, and he wasn&#8217;t riding completely solo (even if he did drag the group back to the front of the race by himself towards the end).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cbed152f-17e1-40fe-8b99-ebce35e600ec\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PtLttQFug6kRDbbDTAWR6X.jpg\" alt=\"The final 12 minutes of Van der Poel&amp;#039;s Amstel Gold\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"inline expandable\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">For the final 11:36 of Amstel Gold, Van der Poel averaged 434 watts. <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Strava)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-285a1f5d-5c1a-4c2e-b5e2-4cb089d55cbe\">Perhaps a more stark comparison is that for the final 12 minutes of Amstel Gold &#8211; the part where he went on his rampage and rode his group back to the front of the race, attacked, caught the leaders and sprinted at 1400 watts to win the race &#8211; he averaged just 434 watts.<\/p>\n<p>At E3 Saxo Classic, he not only held 12 watts more power, but he did it for 7.5 times as long. This highlights how Van der Poel has improved, but also how much stronger the peloton as a whole is nowadays.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 2019, that power was so ridiculous that almost every cycling media outlet on the internet wrote a story breaking it down. Nowadays, it&#8217;s barely enough to keep you from being caught by Stan Dewulf and Florian Vermeersch, who, no offence to the pair, had respectively been in the breakaway all day and had an awfully-timed puncture earlier in the race.<\/p>\n<p>Admittedly, there was a cross\/headwind in the latter part of the race. Van der Poel will have had to use all of his strength to maintain his speed while the chase group behind was afforded some respite, perhaps a key factor in them being able to pull him back as he tired in the final stages of the race.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead to the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, there will be another solo breakaway artist on the two respective start lines, in the form of Tadej Poga\u010dar. The Slovenian world champion is believed to have averaged around 380 watts during his 80km solo attack at Strade Bianche this year. While this is a lower figure on paper, his lower weight and the hillier Strade route may have affected the average. Regardless, it&#8217;s an interesting comparison when it comes to power top trumps.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no one truly knows what Van der Poel is capable of except himself, his team and those close to him. It is safe to say that the Dutchman is surely one of the most powerful riders the sport has ever seen, and his performances have only been boosted by cycling&#8217;s wholesale improvements in training, nutrition and fuelling over the past several years.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the numbers, it takes more than just brute strength to win a Monument. Power-to-weight will certainly be a factor when the two titans of our sport do battle again in Flanders. Judging by their last few performances, neither will go down without a fight.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/does-van-der-poels-insane-e3-power-record-show-that-he-is-in-tour-of-flanders-winning-form\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nFqVnHQ7d4QpavQfb6YCWD-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Power files: Comparing Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s staggering E3 Saxo Classic data to THAT Amstel Gold win shows how far cycling has come in just 7 years News By Tom Wieckowski published 3 April 2026 The differences are stark, proving just how much the Dutchman has improved When you purchase [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1863773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1863773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863773\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1863773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1863773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1863773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}