Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert Overhaul Their Entire Preparation for the Cobbled Classics: Ambitious Plans and New Tactics After Thrilling Cyclocross World Championships
The build-up to the 2025 cobbled classics is seeing a dramatic shift for two of the biggest names in cycling: Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. Following an exhilarating Cyclocross World Championships that saw both riders deliver electrifying performances, they are overhauling their entire approach to the upcoming spring classics. Van der Poel and Van Aert, long considered two of the most dynamic riders in the peloton, are now looking beyond the traditional training regimes and tactics that have worked for them in the past, as they prepare for the brutal challenges posed by the cobbled races of Northern Europe.
A Thrilling Cyclocross World Championship
The Cyclocross World Championships, held in late January 2025, became the stage for a fierce showdown between Van Aert and Van der Poel. Both riders had their eyes firmly set on the title, but in a dramatic turn of events, it was Van der Poel who took the victory in a breathtaking battle with his Belgian rival. The race, which unfolded under a biting wind and muddy conditions, exemplified the fierce rivalry and immense talent both riders bring to the table.
For many cycling fans, the World Championships were more than just a race; they marked a new chapter in the rivalry between Van der Poel and Van Aert, who had traded victories in cyclocross for years. Despite Van der Poel’s victory in the muddy, off-road terrain, both riders are known for their adaptability, and they were quick to shift focus to their upcoming spring objectives: the cobbled classics.
New Strategies for the Cobbled Classics
With the Cyclocross World Championships now behind them, Van Aert and Van der Poel have quickly pivoted their training toward the upcoming spring classics, which include iconic races such as Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders, and E3 Saxo Bank Classic. These races, known for their challenging cobbled sections, are a true test of a rider’s strength, resilience, and tactical acumen.
In the past, both riders have been contenders for victory in these prestigious races. However, the duo is making significant changes to their preparation. According to insiders, both Van Aert and Van der Poel are working on new tactics and refining their strategies with the help of their teams. A key aspect of their new approaches involves more focus on endurance training in rough conditions, building the kind of resilience required to handle the relentless pounding of cobbles.
Van Aert, who rides for Jumbo-Visma, has reportedly been working closely with his team’s sports scientists to optimize his power-to-weight ratio, ensuring he can deliver explosive efforts on the steep cobbled climbs. Additionally, Van Aert’s team has been emphasizing a new, more aggressive racing style in training, aimed at putting pressure on the peloton early in the race and attempting to break away before the notoriously grueling final sections of the races.
Van der Poel, who races for Alpecin-Deceuninck, has also embraced new training techniques, although his team has taken a slightly different approach. Known for his fierce sprinting ability and strength on rough terrain, Van der Poel is refining his position on the bike to improve his aerodynamics during the cobbled sections. His team has been working on improving his bike handling skills on gravel and cobbled roads, taking advantage of his agility to launch attacks from unexpected positions. It is believed that Van der Poel plans to use his explosive power to gain an edge on the competition, especially in races like Paris-Roubaix, where strategic positioning on the cobbles can make all the difference.
Overhauling Preparation: The Role of Technology and Data
One of the major factors influencing the change in preparation for both Van Aert and Van der Poel is the increasing use of technology and data in modern cycling. Both riders are reportedly incorporating more sophisticated data analysis to guide their training sessions. For example, GPS systems and power meters are being used to monitor their efforts during cobbled sections, helping their teams fine-tune their approaches to key moments in races.
Van Aert has been particularly focused on fine-tuning his pacing strategy during the most difficult parts of cobbled races. His team has been using wind tunnel testing and advanced computational models to simulate race conditions, determining the optimal riding position that will maximize his speed while minimizing energy expenditure.
Van der Poel, on the other hand, has been working with his team to gather detailed data on his reaction times during key race moments, specifically in the moments leading up to the cobbled sectors. His sprinting power and agility in these critical moments have always been a strength, and his team is optimizing his bike setup to make sure that he can react even more quickly to changes in the race dynamics.
Increased Competition: A New Era of Rivals
The competition in the cobbled classics has only intensified in recent years, with new rivals emerging to challenge Van Aert and Van der Poel for supremacy. Riders such as Tadej Pogacar, who has already proven his talent in one-day classics, and Filippo Ganna, with his strong power on flat cobbled roads, are expected to be serious contenders in 2025. This increased competition has added an extra layer of urgency for the two Dutch-Belgian riders to not only refine their tactics but also make bold moves that will set them apart from the growing field of talented riders.
The rivalry between Van Aert and Van der Poel is one of the most exciting in cycling right now, and it is clear that both riders are not content to rest on their laurels after their success in cyclocross. By overhauling their preparation for the spring classics, they are showing just how seriously they are taking the challenge ahead.
The Stakes for 2025: A Year of Ambition
As the cobbled classics loom on the horizon, both Van Aert and Van der Poel will enter these races with their sights set on victory. Their overhauled preparation, enhanced by cutting-edge technology and new strategies, is a clear indication of their ambition for the season ahead. Fans of both riders are eagerly awaiting the chance to see how these changes will play out in the field, as they race to claim the titles that have long eluded them.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with the stage set for another thrilling chapter in the battle between Van Aert and Van der Poel. If their performances in the Cyclocross World Championships are anything to go by, it’s clear that this rivalry is far from over. The cobbled classics await, and both riders are determined to rewrite the rulebook once again.
