Mathieu van der Poel, one of cycling’s most dominant and versatile riders, is set to begin his 2025 road season earlier than expected by competing in Le Samyn Classic on March 4. This decision comes as a surprise, as his original plan was to start his campaign at Tirreno-Adriatico. Instead, the Dutch superstar has opted for this one-day race in Belgium, which is known for its cobbled sections and short climbs.
A Change in Plans
Van der Poel’s original schedule for the 2025 season was expected to begin with a bigger stage race like Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice before focusing on the spring classics. However, he has now decided to race at Le Samyn, a smaller but highly competitive one-day event. His participation was not initially expected, but it adds significant excitement to the race.
The decision suggests that Van der Poel wants to get some early racing miles in his legs before tackling the major classics. Given his history of performing well in cobbled races, Le Samyn offers a good opportunity for him to test his form in a real race setting.
What is Le Samyn Classic?
Le Samyn Classic is a Belgian one-day race that has been on the calendar since 1968. While it doesn’t hold the same prestige as the Monuments or the biggest WorldTour events, it is well-respected in the cycling world. The race covers a route filled with cobbled sectors and rolling terrain, making it a good early-season test for classics specialists.
Many top riders have used this race as preparation for bigger events like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. In recent years, it has gained more attention as cobbled classics specialists look for opportunities to fine-tune their form before heading into the most important races of the spring.
Van der Poel’s Recent Form
Van der Poel enters the 2025 road season fresh off a dominant performance in the 2024-25 cyclo-cross season. The Dutchman recently won his seventh world championship title in Liévin, France, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest cyclo-cross riders of all time.
His transition from cyclo-cross to road racing has always been smooth. In past seasons, he has managed to peak at the right time for the biggest classics despite coming off a demanding winter of racing on muddy courses. If history is any indication, he will be a major threat at Le Samyn, even if he is not yet at his absolute best.
A Look at His Road Season Goals
For 2025, Van der Poel’s key objectives on the road will likely include defending his titles at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He will also be a major contender for Milan-San Remo, a race where he has performed well in the past. The decision to start his season at Le Samyn suggests he wants to get an early feel for racing on the cobbles before tackling the biggest one-day races on the calendar.
His team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, will also be focused on making sure their top riders are in peak condition for these classics. With Jasper Philipsen as the team’s top sprinter and Van der Poel as their all-round superstar, the Belgian squad will be looking to dominate the spring classics season.
How Will He Perform at Le Samyn?
While Le Samyn is not a WorldTour race, it is still highly competitive. Many strong riders use it as an early-season test, and it often features aggressive racing from the start. Van der Poel’s presence in the race will likely change the way teams approach it.
Given his history, he will likely try to attack on the cobbled sectors and make the race hard for his rivals. If he is in good form, he could win the race outright. However, since this is his first road race of the season, it is also possible that he will use it simply as training, staying in the pack and getting race miles in his legs.
Regardless of his approach, his presence alone will make Le Samyn an even more exciting race for fans.
The Excitement Among Fans
Van der Poel is one of the most exciting riders in the sport, and any race he participates in automatically draws more attention. His aggressive style, ability to attack from long distances, and knack for performing on the biggest stages have made him a fan favorite.
Fans will be eager to see how he performs in his first road race of the year. Many will be watching closely to see if he shows signs of early-season form or if he still needs time to reach his peak.
The unexpected nature of his participation also adds an element of surprise to the race. Many expected his first road appearance to come at a bigger event, so seeing him at Le Samyn is a pleasant surprise for cycling fans.
What This Means for His Rivals
Van der Poel’s decision to race at Le Samyn will also have an impact on his competitors. Many riders who were hoping to use the race as a warm-up event will now have to deal with one of the strongest riders in the peloton.
This could change the tactics of the race, as teams may need to be more aggressive to counter Van der Poel’s presence. Some riders may try to go on the attack early to avoid a head-to-head battle with him in the final kilometers.
For the race organizers, having a star like Van der Poel in the field is a huge boost. His participation will likely bring in more viewers and media attention, making this edition of Le Samyn one of the most anticipated in recent years.
Looking Ahead
After Le Samyn, Van der Poel will continue building toward the biggest races of the spring. His next major target will likely be Milan-San Remo, followed by the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
The decision to start his season earlier than expected could indicate that he wants to be in top form sooner rather than later. It will be interesting to see how his season progresses and whether this early start helps him achieve his goals later in the year.
For now, all eyes will be on Le Samyn to see how Van der Poel performs in his first road race of 2025. Whether he wins or simply uses it as a tune-up, his presence adds a new level of excitement to the event.
