Mathieu van der Poel Shrugs off Curious Superstition About Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning world champion, has publicly dismissed the long-standing superstition suggesting that a rider cannot win both the E3 Saxo Classic and the Tour of Flanders in the same season. Following his dominant victory at E3, a race often seen as a dress rehearsal for De Ronde, Van der Poel stated he pays no mind to such omens, asserting his focus remains solely on performance. This comes just days before the highly anticipated Monument, where he is a clear favourite.

This particular superstition has gained traction over the years, with no male rider in history having achieved the E3-Flanders double. While some might view it as mere folklore, the psychological weight of such a historical anomaly can subtly influence a rider's mindset. Van der Poel's outright rejection of this 'curse' underscores his supreme confidence and perhaps a calculated effort to neutralise any mental hurdles ahead of his pivotal title defence, setting the stage for a potentially historic breaking of tradition.

Van der Poel's nonchalance is, of course, exactly what one would expect from a rider of his calibre. Superstitions are for those who need an excuse; champions simply ride their bikes faster than everyone else, regardless of omens.