'As part of a generation that changed cycling' – Mathieu van der Poel reflects on how he wants to be remembered and confirms main summer racing plans

ANTWERP, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: (L-R) Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Lidl - Trek, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Wout van Aert of Belgium and Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech prior to the 110th Tour of Flanders - Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 - Men's Elite a 278.6km one day race from Antwerp to Oudenaarde / #UCIWT / on April 05, 2026 in Antwerp, Belgium. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

Mathieu van der Poel is only 31, with a deal to stay at Alpecin-Premier Tech until at least the end of 2028, but he's already being asked about how he would like to be remembered as a rider when he does call time on what's been an illustrious career.

And it's being "part of a generation that changed cycling," which the Dutchman is striving for as a legacy, with more frequent long-range attacking in swashbuckling form from the likes of him and Tadej Pogačar playing a huge part in that.