For Jasper Philipsen, the past winter training alongside cycling superstar Mathieu van der Poel proved to be a humbling yet eye-opening experience. The Belgian sprinter, known for his explosive finishes, found himself facing an unexpected challenge: keeping up with the relentless discipline and intensity of Van der Poel’s training regimen.
While the cycling world recognizes Philipsen as one of the finest sprinters, his recent training stint with Van der Poel forced him to reassess his limits, work ethic, and preparation. The message was clear—no room for even a two-minute delay, no room for complacency.
Philipsen’s Training Camp with Van der Poel: A Different Reality
Training in winter is a crucial period for professional cyclists, and team Alpecin-Deceuninck ensured that their riders had the best preparation for the upcoming season. However, Philipsen quickly realized that training with Mathieu van der Poel, a five-time cyclocross world champion and reigning Tour of Flanders winner, was far from a casual ride.
Van der Poel is known for his unwavering discipline, structured training, and no-excuses mindset. For Philipsen, who is already among the fastest sprinters in the peloton, the experience was nothing short of a wake-up call.
- Punctuality was non-negotiable: Even a two-minute delay was considered unacceptable. Every session started on time, and every aspect of training followed a meticulous plan.
- Intensity was on another level: The training routines included high-intensity endurance rides, altitude simulations, and explosive sprint drills that left Philipsen gasping for breath.
- No shortcuts, no complaints: Unlike traditional training camps where sprinters have a slightly more relaxed approach, Philipsen had to match Van der Poel’s workload, which meant longer hours in the saddle, harder climbs, and a sharper focus on every detail.
“It Was a Reality Check” – Philipsen Learns the Hard Way
Jasper Philipsen admitted that the winter camp was a turning point in how he views preparation and performance.
“You can’t afford to be late, not even by two minutes. Every session, every ride, every effort—Mathieu treats it like a race day,” Philipsen remarked.
While Philipsen is used to intense training, the discipline, punctuality, and physical endurance demanded by Van der Poel were something new. It wasn’t just about the power on the bike but also the mental toughness and the ability to push beyond comfort zones.
“I thought I was training hard before, but this was a different level. It was a reality check for me, and I realized that if I want to be the best, I have to train like the best,” he added.
Pushing Limits: How Philipsen Plans to Apply These Lessons
Philipsen, who enjoyed a successful 2024 season, including multiple stage wins in the Tour de France, now sees room for further improvement.
1. Adopting a More Disciplined Approach
One of the biggest takeaways from training with Van der Poel is strict discipline. Philipsen has vowed to never be late, stick to planned sessions rigorously, and take recovery as seriously as training.
2. Enhancing Endurance to Match the Classics Specialists
Philipsen is known for his blistering sprints, but endurance in long, grueling races has sometimes been a challenge. Training with Van der Poel helped him understand the importance of sustained power output over long distances, particularly for classics races like Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Tour of Flanders.
3. Mental Strength and Toughness
Van der Poel’s no-excuses mentality has inspired Philipsen to adopt a stronger mindset. The Belgian aims to focus on resilience, handling pressure, and pushing past perceived limits, especially during high-stakes races.
4. Improving Performance in Mixed Terrain
While Philipsen excels on flat and sprint-friendly courses, training with Van der Poel forced him to tackle tougher climbs and technical routes. This will be crucial for his evolution as a more complete rider capable of winning in varied conditions.
The Road Ahead: Can Philipsen Reach Van der Poel’s Level?
Jasper Philipsen has already established himself as a top-tier sprinter, but his experience training with Mathieu van der Poel could be the missing piece in his development. If he successfully integrates these lessons into his preparation and racing strategy, he could evolve into a dominant force not just in sprints, but also in one-day classics and tough stage races.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Philipsen to see how much he has grown from this intense winter training experience. One thing is for sure—he won’t be two minutes late again.
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