Mathieu van der Poel aims to fill two gaps in his palmares this spring

For a long time, the exact spring schedule of Mathieu van der Poel was a mystery, but Alpecin-Premier Tech announced the race calendar of their team leader on Wednesday. Van der Poel is once again focusing on his beloved monument classics this year, but he also hopes to add two still-missing races to his palmarès.

Looking at his schedule, it stands out that Van der Poel – unlike last year – will make an appearance in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and In Flanders Fields. From Middelkerke to Wevelgem, the new name for Gent-Wevelgem. The 31-year-old rider has not yet won these classics in his career.

It’s not surprising that Van der Poel isn’t on the honor roll of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, as he has never started this Flemish season opener before. In 2020, he planned to ride it, but he had to withdraw at the last minute due to flu and high fever during the opening weekend.

Van der Poel does have a history in Gent-Wevelgem, with previous participations in 2019, 2020, and 2024. He finished in the top ten on each occasion. On his debut in 2019, he was fourth; the following year, ninth; and two years ago he was only bested by Mads Pedersen in a two-man sprint.

If Van der Poel manages to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and In Flanders Fields this spring, he can tick off two gaps on his already impressive palmarès. Then only one prestigious cobbled classic will remain to be conquered: Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.