Mathieu Van Der Poel Vs. Julian Alaphilippe At 2019 Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race

At 25 years old, Mathieu van der Poel has racked up quite a results sheet in a short amount of time. 

What we love about van der Poel is not just his ability to win, but the way in which he does it. When he goes, it is as if there is nobody who can stand in his way. 

The way van der Poel dispenses of veteran riders with apparent ease inspired this video series. This week FloBikes will be highlighting some of van der Poel's top victims.

Julian Alaphilippe was the revelation of the 2019 season, but even the energetic Frenchman did not have an answer to van der Poel.

Alaphilippe waited until van der Poel was boxed in on the Hertstraat before launching a perfect attack with 18 kilometers to go in the 2019 Brabantse Pijl. Despite the inconvenience, van der Poel almost effortlessly blasted past Michael Matthews bridging up to Alaphilippe and proving equal to every subsequent attack en route to the finish. 

Alaphilippe found himself at the front of the 2019 Amstel Gold Race and appeared to be the favorite for the win. Unbeknownst to him, van der Poel was gaining momentum behind, overtaking chasers as if he was a steam train. Van der Poel then out powered everyone on the finishing straight, sufficiently spoiling Alaphilippe's day.