Why strength training is crucial for Mathieu van der Poel in his quest for success

Mathieu van der Poel shines year after year at the highest level of cycling, and not just in one discipline, but this certainly doesn’t come easy to the Dutchman. Behind the scenes, Van der Poel puts in a lot of training work, but what exactly does that look like? In the WHOOP Podcast, the classics specialist gives an insight.

His physical condition comes up as well. "Sometimes I wish my upper body was a bit less muscular, but you need that in cyclocross and mountain biking. Due to my back problems, I also had to go to the gym more often, and that shaped me as a complete athlete. I got stronger but at the same time a little heavier. I don’t mind that because it’s perfectly fine for my goals."

"I will never be the best climber. I could still lose a few kilos to become a better climber, but I will never beat the best climbers. So I choose to focus on what I excel at: races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. There, one kilo won’t make a difference," outlines the Alpecin-Deceuninck team leader.

Importance of gym sessions
Between races, Van der Poel naturally puts in the necessary training kilometers on the bike, but there’s more. "I’ve now been going to the gym twice a week for about four years. I also know I have to do it. If I don’t go to the gym, I feel my body weaken."

"The first time after a break really hurts, but I know it’s a process. When you regularly do exercises in the gym, the pain in your body disappears and you no longer suffer from stiffness. You can even do it one day before an important bike training. The most important thing is to keep doing it, all year round."

What does an average gym session for Van der Poel actually look like? "I do squats, deadlifts, single-leg squats... Of course, a lot of attention is also given to core stability, for example for my lower back and abdominal muscles. I usually do 4x8 reps (4 sets of 8 repetitions) for strength training."

"I build it up and sometimes go higher or lower in weight. That depends on how I feel and what I have to do on the bike the next day. In winter, I also do running-specific exercises to prevent injuries."