Pou Pou celebrated more than ever. Wherever she is, her smile shone in a special way. His grandson, Mathiew Van der Poel (29 years old) achieved eternal glory as a cyclist in Glasgow. The one that Raymond Poulidor, baptized as the eternal second, slipped through his hands on so many occasions. His descendant, abducted by emotion at the finish line, surely remembered how in 1974 Eddy Merckx made his grandfather sign another silver for two seconds. This time neither Van Aert, his own Poulidor; nor Pogacar, the modern cannibal; second and third respectively, came close to the excellence of him. Thus, Van der Poel reconciled his family with a career that yesterday made him immortal.
The Dutchman was crowned for the first time in his career as road world champion, having previously won five in cyclo-cross. But it was not a normal victory but a huge one. He starred in one of the most beautiful exhibitions on the bicycle that is remembered at these levels. A capital and superlative show. He collaborated on the 271 kilometer route between Edinburgh and Glasgow, a marvelous labyrinth that served as an amusement park for cyclists, guinea pigs of premeditated torture. There came all the representatives of brave cycling, which shines today and is the pride of past generations, and the show emerged naturally.
The race began with a group of nine riders trying to surprise, although their luck was always set. Behind, in the group of favourites, Denmark began hostilities with 100 kilometers to go. From there, the frenzy. Never have 100 kilometers given so much of themselves. A blink of an eye and Evenepoel, current champion, attacked furiously with 97 minutes to go. A sigh and Pogacar tried to surprise next. And Trentin, Pedersen and Van Aert. Whip by whip There was no truce or compassion.
The first important selection came with an attack by Van der Poel with 90 minutes to go. The Dutchman, Van Aert, Pedersen, Pogacar and Bettiol left for the first time there. It was clear who were the strongest. But they didn’t make room and Evenepoel came furious to launch his offensive. However, the Belgian suffered excessively with the route and was always away from the hot spots of the race. The attack of the Italian Bettiol in a regular call made the race fly up. The constant slopes were a sandpaper on the legs. The route, as technical as a cyclocross, required extreme concentration.
After the Italian, the fantastic four left again: Van der Poel, Pogacar, Van Aert and Pedersen. It was this year’s Tour of Flanders transferred to Glasgow. At that moment, with 36 to go, Evenepoel finally gave up. His gesture was as eloquent as it was painful. With Van Aert, also Belgian, he was canceled ahead. The Spaniards also gave up at that moment, with Alex Aranburu (19th) and Ivan Cortina (30th) being the only ones who would manage to reach the finish line.
At the moment of truth, the rain appeared to redouble the drama. When Bettiol gave up, 20 minutes from the finish line on Montrose Street, a tough 200-meter slope, Van der Poel unleashed all his fury with an irreducible attack. First Van Aert and then Pogacar tried in vain to catch up with him. Nothing could with the Dutchman until a slip sent him to the ground.
Misfortune was coming his way again. Like a year ago, when he was arrested by the Australian police the night before the Wollongong World Cup. With glory so close, this time nothing could beat him.
That’s where the World Cup was decided. Scratched on the side, on the back and on the elbow. With the shoe off the hook and the bloody knee. Van der Poel gritted his teeth and grabbed what was his by right and history. Power, finesse and intelligence at the service of talent, his best moment always seemed to be yet to come. In Glasgow, in the most chaotic and ruthless race in living memory, he signed his immortality. “This victory means everything to me and completes my career,” he said at the finish line. A victory for which his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, who died in 2019, always fought for (he added one silver, two bronzes and three fifths in 18 attempts), and for which he will no longer be forgotten.
