Van der Poel: The Phenomenon | The Cycling Race News Show

Coming up today, the best race finish we have seen in years. As well as the men’s and women’s Amstel Gold Races we’ve got the Tour of Turkey, Brabanste Pijl, and a new World Hour Record.

Check out the GCN Shop:
Subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club:

Submit your content with our new uploader: http://gcn.eu/upload
Join our Facebook community: http://gcn.eu/FBCommunity

Mathieu van der Poel. He has just elevated himself to Dutch royalty, winning the biggest race in the Netherlands, in the Dutch champions jersey, and white shorts, with one of the best race finishes you will ever see. It’s hard to know where to even start with this one, but let’s go back to 44kms to go.

That was when van der Poel couldn’t hold his excitement back any longer, going on the attack, Gorka Izaguirre the only man able, or willing, to join him. His father, Adri, who has been trying to tell his son to conserve a bit more energy, must have had his head in his hands at that point. It was a novice move, although we shouldn’t be too critical about that - after all this was his first participation in the race, and only the 4th WorldTour event he’s ever ridden.

Regardless, after Izaguirre was told to stop working he was caught 6kms later, just before what is often the decisive part of the race, the Kruisberg. That is where Deceuninck Quickstep accelerated and Alaphilippe made his attack, joined a little later by Fuglsang. Nobody was able to follow them, not least, understandably, van der Poel, who was paying for the efforts he’d already made.

Despite the efforts of Kwiatkowski and Trentin behind, nobody was able to catch the front two. With 2.5kms to go, they had close to half a minute’s lead. The win was theirs, it was just a matter of which one of them would take it.

And then Fuglsang sat on. Quite rightly so in my opinion - the Dane is no match for Alaphilippe in a sprint finish, his only chance of victory was to make the Frenchman do the work, and hope that that would sap his energy enough to give him a chance at the finish.

Only Alaphilippe wasn’t prepared to do it on his own. The pace slowed, the gap fell. It was tantalising stuff. Kwiatkowski, who’d dropped Trentin, closed in, and eventually caught the leading duo.

And then, as we got a long shot from the finish line, we could see another group in the distance. The win was still between the three of them, surely. That gap couldn’t be closed, could it?

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link -

Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Assos of Switzerland: http://gcn.eu/Assos
fi’zi:k Shoes & Saddles: http://gcn.eu/fizikshoes and http://gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Wiggle: http://gcn.eu/wiggle
Enervit Nutrition: https://gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Bell Helmets: https://gcn.eu/bell
Roka Sunglasses: https://gcn.eu/roka
Quarq: http://gcn.eu/Quarq
Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Zipp Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Zipp
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Continental Tyres: http://gcn.eu/continental-
Camelbak: http://gcn.eu/camelbak-
Komoot Route Planning: https://gcn.eu/-komoot

Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club - http://gcn.eu/club
YouTube Channel - http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram - http://gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Google+ - http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - http://gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech - http://gmbn.tech/subscribe
GCN Tech - http://gcntech.co/subscribe
EMBN - http://embn.me/subscribe

Leave us a comment below!