‘It worked perfectly last time’ - Van der Poel backs 2024 blueprint for World Championships

With the road race in Montréal less than two weeks away, Van der Poel has chosen the five day stage race in Luxembourg for his final block of competition before travelling to Canada.

It is a formula he knows well.

Two years ago, Van der Poel arrived at the Tour de Luxembourg in a similar position. He won the opening stage, went close on several other occasions and eventually finished second overall behind Antonio Tiberi. A week later, he took bronze at the World Championships in Zürich, behind Tadej Pogačar and Ben O'Connor.

That experience played a significant part in his decision to return.

“I have good memories of the Tour de Luxembourg from two years ago,” Van der Poel said. “I won a stage, came close a few more times and finished second overall. More importantly, I had a good World Championships in Zürich afterwards, which showed that this race was a very good final preparation.”

His route towards this year's World Championships has been less conventional.

While several of his main rivals have opted to prepare in Canada at the GP Québec and GP Montréal, Van der Poel spent part of the build up focusing on mountain biking. He wrapped up that block with 30th place at the cross country World Championships in Val di Sole at the end of August.

Luxembourg now marks Van der Poel’s return to road racing, with five days of competition offering a final test before he travels to Canada.

“I feel it can serve the same purpose this year ahead of the Worlds in Canada,” he said. “After my mountain bike block, I can definitely use some race rhythm and competitive kilometres on the road. That is the main goal for me here.”

It will also be his first road race since the final stage of the Tour de France, where Van der Poel ended his July campaign with a memorable victory on the Champs Élysées.

The emphasis in Luxembourg will be on preparation rather than chasing the general classification, but that does not mean Van der Poel will simply ride through the five days without ambitions of his own. The varied terrain should offer opportunities, and he is ready to take them if the race opens up.

“Of course, if there is an opportunity to fight for a stage win, I will take it,” Van der Poel said. “A victory would be a nice bonus and could also give me some extra confidence before travelling to Canada.”

The bigger objective comes on September 27 in Montréal, where Van der Poel will target a second elite men's road race world title after his victory in Glasgow in 2023. With defending champion and overwhelming favourite Tadej Pogačar ruled out, one major obstacle has disappeared and the fight for the rainbow jersey has opened up considerably.