It’s a tradition that the first survivor of Paris-Roubaix does not escape, after 260 miles of effort and a body tormented by the cobblestones. A shower about a hundred meters from the velodrome, terminus of the Hell of the North, in this old school with decrepit walls and outdated boxes. Triple title holder of the queen of classics, the Dutchman, savored this little vintage moment from his first victory in 2023.
“I have taken showers here many times, but never as a winner,” reveled the man who now has a plaque in his name, like all new winners, in this legendary place. Old-fashioned showers for one of the oldest cycling races in the world, it fits quite well with the image of Raymond Poulidor’s grandson, a sacred steed who thrills the crowds, ready to die on his mount after a delirious escape.
But apart from the bicycle, the image sent back by the Dutchman, who will try to extend his reign in Roubaix despite the threat from Tadej Pogacar, is quite different. That of a man who could very well be the headliner of a rap video from the 2000s, passionate about bling-bling, big cars, luxury watches, with the capacity to smoke the carbon footprint of a family of eight children in two days.
A Lamborghini in the Flandrian sand
In deep Flanders, in the middle of winter, when ordinary mortals, bundled up in five layers of clothing, take out the old Kangoo to attend a round of the cyclo-cross world cup, Mathieu van der Poel does not hesitate to go directly to the site with a state-of-the-art Lamborghini. As in Mol, last January, with a superb Urus estimated between 300 and 450,000 euros soberly registered X – MVDP – X.
Nothing compared to the orange Lamborghini Revuelto worth at least 500,000 euros to go to a race in Gavere in December 2024. “When he was little, he looked at cars like that a lot on the side of the road,” explains David, his brother and agent. He likes these big and special cars, he likes to ride in them. It’s a passion. If, thanks to cycling, you can afford to have these kinds of cars, that’s pretty cool. »
Cool to the point that MVDP has become an ambassador for the Italian brand in 2023, which makes things easier when it comes to choosing which model to show up for a race with. Contacted by “20 Minutes”, Lamborghini released its best LinkedIN speech to explain its association with the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider. Attention, take out the violins.
« Mathieu is a true car enthusiast. His interest in cars with character, and in particular Lamborghini, is completely sincere. He is someone who goes far beyond the traditional framework of his sport. It is present and efficient on the road, in cyclo‑cross, in gravel and in mountain biking, which is extremely rare. This exceptional versatility directly echoes the DNA of the Lamborghini Urus SE, a vehicle capable of excelling on all terrains, without compromise, with the same level of demand and emotion. »
“It’s part of professionalism”
We looked for demand and emotion in the luxury watches of Richard Mille or the private jet company Flying Group, which has also formed a partnership with the Dutchman, who displays them high on his Instagram profile, but we did not find it. Between two races, the asphalt convict does not hesitate to take his small, personally chartered plane to return to Spain where he lives, for example.
“It allows him to waste as little time, as little energy as possible in very important moments,” continues his older brother. It’s always a risk to find yourself on a plane with 300 people where some are sick. Mathieu is aware that this is something unique and that not everyone has this chance. But it’s also part of professionalism. »
In an environment that is still quite cautious about the arrival of the nouveau riche, like UAE or Red Bull, is the bling-bling Mathieu van der Poel the talk of the peloton? “No, there’s no jealousy,” comments his brother, “he hasn’t had any feedback like that. I don’t think he’s afraid for his image, it’s part of him. I don’t think coming off as a high roller is his goal. After his character has evolved over the years, he’s a little nonchalant, but he just tries not to waste energy on things he doesn’t have in hand. »
« I’m really angry with him, I’m really jealous of his legs, that’s for sure. And I think the whole peloton is, explains Ramon Sinkeldam, laughing, who spent a bunch of years in the peloton before rubbing shoulders with MVDP on his team last year. But, for the rest, no, he does what he wants, he has earned the right to have all that. »
“You are not allowed to succeed”
Even if some teams are a little reluctant to see riders have their own sponsors and remain opposed to certain personal partnerships, ultimately, and this is not a surprise, the only ones to view this Mathieu “Fastlife” van der Poel in a negative light are the supporters. Some do not hesitate to describe the former world champion as a show-off, or a footballer, which, in certain cases, can be described as pleonasm.
“In the Netherlands, people who have succeeded very early are judged very quickly,” assures Ramon Sinkeldam. You’re almost not allowed to succeed. If you succeed, people start to hate you because you drive a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. This guy makes a few million euros a year because he’s one of the best runners in the world, period. He’s a really great guy, he deserves to have respect. » He will still have a little more if he continues to resist the invader Pogacar at Paris-Roubaix next Sunday.
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