Dutch coach recalls the 2019 MTB incident that perfectly sums up Mathieu van der Poel's younger days

Speaking on the Live Slow, Ride Fast podcast with former professional cyclist Laurens ten Dam, De Knegt revealed what it is like to work with Van der Poel.

"Mathieu lives in a different matrix," the Dutch coach said. "And I mean that in a positive way."

According to De Knegt, there is little point in trying to tell Van der Poel how to approach his racing. He knows what he wants and generally does things his own way.

"I make sure his clothing is sorted, that he knows where he needs to be and what time the start is."

That arrangement usually works well. But back in 2019, a trip to Brno in the Czech Republic tested De Knegt's patience.

Ahead of the European Championships, De Knegt had told Van der Poel to travel with hand luggage only. The flight schedule was tight, and anything he didn't need on the plane could be transported in the team camper.

That included his PlayStation, which Van der Poel was apparently keen to bring along.

But the Dutchman had decided to check in a suitcase anyway. When he found himself stuck in a long queue at the airport, he called his coach.

"I told him to just walk to the front and say he was Mathieu van der Poel and that he needed to get on the flight," De Knegt recalled.

Van der Poel wasn't particularly comfortable doing that, and the suitcase didn't make it on the flight.

De Knegt assumed it wouldn't be a major problem. Surely Van der Poel had at least packed his cycling shoes in his hand luggage?

He hadn't.

The first day passed without the suitcase arriving. Then the second. By that point, Van der Poel had missed two days on the bike and still hadn't been able to explore the mountain bike course.

De Knegt was getting nervous. Van der Poel seemed rather less bothered.

On the third day, the suitcase finally turned up. Shortly afterwards, a message appeared in the team group chat.

"My holiday is over!"

With his shoes finally back, Van der Poel was sent out to familiarise himself with the course. De Knegt was satisfied that he had at least managed to get a look at the difficult sections before race day.

Then came the start.

Van der Poel immediately moved to the front, only to take completely the wrong line through a rock garden and crash heavily.

De Knegt could hardly believe what he was watching. After all the trouble with the luggage and the missed course reconnaissance, the one thing he had hoped to avoid had happened almost immediately.

But Van der Poel picked himself up and got on with it. He fought his way back into contention and eventually rode clear to win the European title, finishing 43 seconds ahead of Switzerland's Florian Vogel. Fellow Dutchman Milan Vader took bronze.

For De Knegt, it remains one of those stories that sums up what it was like working with a younger Van der Poel.

The national coach stressed that Van der Poel has changed considerably since those days. He may still have the same relaxed personality, but his approach to training and preparation has become far more professional.

"He trains like a madman, and it seemingly doesn't cost him any effort," De Knegt said.

What impresses him most is how Van der Poel manages to combine that commitment with genuinely enjoying what he does.

"I think he's found a very good balance. That's what I like about him."

And although the Dutchman can be unpredictable at times, De Knegt insists he has never had any real problems managing him. When there is a team meeting, Van der Poel attends, listens and takes things seriously.

The occasional joke is simply part of the package.