Mathieu van der Poel has surprisingly decided to bring forward his seasonal road debut to 2025. The Dutch champion from Alpecin-Deceuninck will start the Ename Samyn Classic next Tuesday, a week earlier than originally planned.

The world champion, who was supposed to start his season at Tirreno-Adriatico, seems eager to get back to racing after his cyclocross world championship triumph on February 2. After a few days of well-deserved rest, VDP moved to Spain for a high-altitude training camp at the Syncrosfera hotel.

An unfinished business with Samyn

Van der Poel has already taken part in Samyn in 2021, but on that occasion he was unable to fight for the victory due to the breaking of his carbon handlebars in the final kilometers of the race. This time the Dutch champion will certainly try to leave his mark on a course that, with its cobblestone sections, is perfectly suited to his characteristics.

Some rumours even speak of his possible participation in the Strade Bianche on Saturday, in which there would be a stellar challenge with Pogacar, but at the moment nothing is confirmed and new news is expected in the next few days.