Mathieu van der Poel is on the verge of history. The Dutchman lines up Sunday at the Tour of Flanders aiming to become the first rider in history to win the cobbled Monument four times—and he says he's ready.

“The course holds no secrets for me,” van der Poel said. 

“But since I stayed in Belgium between E3 and the Tour of Flanders, I figured a longer training session on the course would be a good idea.” 

That session, done at a solid pace over four hours with Alpecin teammate Quinten Hermans, was part of a week carefully balanced between recovery and sharpening.

Hermans, a late addition to the team after Kaden Groves pulled out with a knee issue, joins van der Poel in a squad designed to put their leader in the perfect position for the finale. 

“Let’s just say we’re prepared for whatever happens, good or bad,” van der Poel said. 

“The key is to stay calm in all situations. As always, my teammates will do everything to put me in the best possible position for the finale. Then it’s up to me to try and win the race—though that’s obviously much easier said than done.”

All Eyes on Flanders

He knows exactly what it takes to win. Van der Poel has already claimed victories at Milano-Sanremo and the E3 Saxo Classic this spring and is widely seen as the man to beat in Flanders. The other? Tadej Pogačar.

“Based on recent results and how the races have played out, I still think it’s fair to say Tadej and I stand out slightly above the rest,” van der Poel admitted. 

“But I always take multiple riders and teams into account. Race dynamics can always throw surprises at you. Underestimating my rivals is never an option.”

Van Der Poel Chasing History—Quietly

Flanders has always held a special place for van der Poel. “It’s still the classic I love the most,” he said. “As a kid, I watched it on TV in admiration, and from my very first participation, I felt a strong connection to this race. The fact that my name is now on the winner’s list three times already makes me incredibly proud.”

But as for the chance to become the sole record holder with four wins? He’s not letting it cloud his focus.

“I just want to win the race on Sunday. If I manage that, the record will come naturally. Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredibly special. I never imagined I’d even be in this position. But it’s not something I actively think about during the race.”

The Final Countdown

His plan for the final lead-up is simple: “I’ll focus on regaining some freshness after Thursday’s tough training session. Some easy rides, combined with plenty of rest… You can’t really go wrong with that.”

Now, with the biggest day of the Belgian calendar just hours away, all eyes are on van der Poel. A win would elevate him into a category all his own. And given his form, confidence, and love for this race—he might just do it.