Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch cycling sensation from Alpecin-Premier Tech, has already secured a stage victory in the 2026 Tirreno-Adriatico. Today, he faces another stage tailored to his strengths, featuring significant elevation gains and challenging climbs. Approaching the finish in Martinsicuro, Van der Poel views this as one of his final opportunities in this year’s edition.
The fourth stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico traverses the Apennines, beginning with early ascents of the Ovindoli and Valico delle Capanne passes. The route encompasses a total of 2,500 meters of elevation gain.
The finale includes a climb to Tortoreto (1.5 km at 8.4%), providing a perfect launchpad for punchy specialists. Following this ascent, a flat stretch of approximately twelve kilometers leads to the finish line.
This stage appears well-suited to Van der Poel’s profile. Before the start, he expressed his intentions:
“I believe it’s possible to get into an early break. I’ll definitely try to make the race. I’m happy with my current form, but I hope to be a few percentage points better next week.”
Regarding his chances of winning, he added:
“That will depend on the race dynamics, but the last fifty kilometers are tough. If Jasper (Philipsen) is still in the mix, we’ll play his card. But I won’t hold back; it’s one of my last chances in this Tirreno.”
Van der Poel’s aggressive approach and determination underscore his commitment to making the most of the remaining stages in this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico.
Highlights:
- Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos, Published on Tuesday, March 10
- ‘I would love to go back to Strade Bianche’ – Mathieu van der Poel reveals regrets about missing Italian Classic, Published on Tuesday, March 10