MALEMORT, France, July 14 (Reuters) – Mathieu van der Poel won his first Tour de France stage on Sunday, a masterclass in heat-battle racing that ended a four-year drought for the Dutch champion.
The 155.5 km Stage 9 from Malemort to Ussel was shortened due to extreme temperatures. The peloton faced a brutal test.
Van der Poel attacked in the final kilometers, out-sprinting the breakaway group in a “bloedstollende finale” (thrilling finale). It was his third career Tour stage win, but his first since 2021. “Maybe the toughest stage I ever won,” he told NOS.
“De nul is weg,” (the zero is gone) headlines in Dutch media declared.
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The Heat Factor
Race organizers shortened the stage by 20 km due to “snikhete” (scorching) conditions. Riders fought cramps and dehydration. The heat reshaped the peloton’s strategy.
Van der Poel’s preparation for the heat was evident. He stayed near the front, avoiding the energy-sapping chase. Rivals wilted.
The stage became a war of attrition. The pace was relentless.
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The Breakaway
Van der Poel’s attack came with 10 km to go. He was perfectly positioned in the “kopgroep” (leading group). The day was “vol aanvallen” (full of attacks).
He timed his sprint perfectly. He beat the breakaway riders in a two-up finish.
Tadej Pogacar, the yellow jersey, “gunde Van der Poel amper ruimte” (barely gave Van der Poel space). But he couldn’t match the Dutchman’s acceleration.
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Pogacar’s Reluctance
Pogacar, the race leader, rode defensively. He “nog niet opgeven” (not giving up) on the stage win, but his priority was the overall classification. This opened the door for Van der Poel.
The tension between the two champions was clear. Pogacar’s defensive stance allowed the breakaway to succeed.
Van der Poel’s win is more significant because of this dynamic. He beat the best rider in the world on a day when the yellow jersey chose caution.
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The Emotional Breakthrough
The win lifted a psychological weight. Van der Poel had multiple near-misses in the Tour, including second-place finishes in 2021 and 2022.
This victory cements his legacy as a versatile rider. He can conquer cobbles and heat-battle climbs.
Fan and media reaction was immediate. “De nul is weg” trended across Dutch social media. The “strijd der vluchters” (battle of the breakaways) was decided by the strongest man.
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Redefining the Heat Battle
Van der Poel’s victory is a blueprint for future Grand Tour tactics in hot conditions. Shorter stages due to extreme weather are becoming the norm.
His explosive, aggressive style is perfectly suited to these conditions. He can attack early and sustain power in the heat.
The “Live Tour” coverage highlighted this shift. The “snikhete heuvelrit” (blistering hot hill stage) narrative is now part of cycling’s new reality.
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A New Chapter
The win positions Van der Poel for future stages and monuments. He is no longer a rider who underperforms in the Tour.
Key themes: heat resilience, tactical aggression, the end of his Tour zero. This is a new chapter in his legend.
Readers: share your thoughts on the “bloedstollende finale” below.
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💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When did Mathieu van der Poel win his first Tour de France stage since 2021?
- A: He won Stage 9 on July 14, 2024, in Malemort, France.
- Q: Why was the stage shortened?
- A: The 155.5 km stage was shortened by 20 km due to extreme heat conditions.
- Q: How did van der Poel win the stage?
- A: He attacked with 10 km to go, positioned perfectly in the leading group, and out-sprinted the breakaway riders in a two-up finish.
- Q: What was unique about this win for van der Poel?
- A: It was his first Tour de France stage win since 2021, ending a four-year drought, and he described it as ‘maybe the toughest stage I ever won’ due to the heat.
Extended Reading
Source: NOS liveblog “Magistrale zege Van der Poel na snikhete dag vol aanvallen” (July 14, 2024).