The 89th edition of the Tour of Switzerland is about to begin with the first stage departing from Sondrio. Many stars will be racing, and among them is Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel, who already has clear ideas about what he will face in the coming weeks.

The Tour of Switzerland has been shortened to five days and will see men and women competing in the same locations, creating a rich and engaging atmosphere. Among the prominent names participating are world champion Tadej Pogacar and, as we mentioned, Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, both preparing for the Tour de France.

Traditionally, the men's Tour of Switzerland took place over eight days, but this year, following a suggestion from co-organizer Flanders Classics, which proposed a shortened version to attract more top riders, the duration has changed. Both races, men's and women's, will start and finish in the same city each day, with local routes chosen based on logistical criteria. Enthusiasm among cyclists is palpable, with the participation of big names like Pogacar, Van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, and Matthew Brennan.

Mathieu van der Poel shared his thoughts regarding his preparation and objectives: "I always try to win a stage, so I'll try to do it here too" - said the Dutchman during the team presentation - "I had a good training camp and I feel good, so I'm confident".

Regarding his preparation, Van der Poel is very relaxed: "I haven't had any setbacks. I wanted to race only two MTB events, but it wasn't possible. I had some back issues, but they resolved quickly".

These statements demonstrate the Dutchman's resilience and his determination to compete at the highest levels. However, there is some caution in his future plans. "I still want to participate in the World Championships at the end of August, but that would mean another double preparation. We wanted to prepare as best as possible for the Tour now, so we could focus on mountain biking afterwards. It will never be ideal, but I want to try".

The race program is varied and stimulating: the first two stages in Sondrio and Locarno are suited for climbers, while the third stage in Bad Ragaz will offer opportunities for sprinters. On Saturday, in Aarburg, there will be a flat 23.7 km time trial, followed by the final mountain stage in Villars-sur-Ollon, with an uphill finish. With a mix of determination and strategic preparation, Mathieu van der Poel is ready to give his best at the Tour of Switzerland, with the goal of winning a stage and fine-tuning his form ahead of the Tour de France.