With the Classics season now behind him, for the first time without a major victory, Mathieu Van der Poel is beginning to think about the second half of his season and to identify his next objectives. In an interview given to Dani Miranda for AS Spain, MVDP explained: «The Tour is the main objective for the coming weeks. We are still deciding the calendar that will precede it, but everything is focused on preparing for the Grande Boucle. I will also participate in MTB races to best prepare for the World Championships in Val di Sole. No one has ever won world titles in all disciplines: achieving this would be something special».

This project naturally closes the door to other ideas: «The Vuelta? Not this year, unfortunately. But sooner or later I will race it, I'm 100% sure of that. It's something I will do before I conclude my career. Besides, I love Spain: it's my second home, but it's becoming increasingly my first».

Taking a step back to review what has happened in recent weeks: «I think I can be satisfied with what I achieved in the Classics. I reached the level I wanted and I was one of the strongest at Roubaix. The way I raced afterwards gives me motivation. Of course, I would have liked to win another Monument Classic, but it's not realistic to expect to win one every year».

And further: «Tadej is a very difficult opponent to beat. In most races, if you manage to overtake him, it means you are very close to victory. I will continue to try. And Paul Seixas? What we saw this week, done by a boy of only 19 years old, was incredible. It seems that France has finally found a rider who can win the Tour again».