MVDP Painted a Wet-Weather Masterpiece in Stage 2 — Here’s How He Did It
When the rain came down, most riders tightened up — but Mathieu van der Poel loosened his grip and let the bike dance.
Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour de France was chaos for many… and a canvas for MVDP.
The Scene: A Sodden, Slippery Warzone
Picture it:
Torrential rain, sketchy descents, 8 crashes, and 7 punctures in a 199.2km brawl.
Where others saw danger, Van der Poel saw opportunity.
MVDP’s Master Moves
How did he pull it off while others slid out like they were chasing soap bubbles down a drain?
✅ Feathered descents: He stayed off the brakes in the wettest corners, letting his bike flow naturally through the apex.
✅ Perfect positioning: Always in the first 5 wheels, avoiding crashes happening behind him.
✅ Timed accelerations: Knew when to stomp on the pedals, especially on that brutal Côte de Saint-Étienne-au-Mont (15.3% gradient), where he lit it up while sprinters cracked.
✅ Mental composure: While GC contenders panicked, MVDP kept it cool — like a cat among the pigeons in a panicked peloton.
Tactical Genius: Why It Worked
Most riders fight the road in wet conditions. Van der Poel let it come to him.
His cyclocross skills shone through — accustomed to mud, slick corners, and sudden accelerations, he was basically in his element while others rode scared.
Alpecin-Deceuninck knew the drill too. They let him freelance up front, while Jasper Philipsen surfed the wheels behind in case it came back for a sprint.
It didn’t. MVDP had other plans.
📸 Key Moment: The Côte Detonation
At the 15.3% wall of Côte de Saint-Étienne-au-Mont, Van der Poel flicked his elbow and surged, shredding the lead group.
Only Tadej Pogačar and Girmay could follow.
He pushed over the top, railed the descent like it was dry, and strung out the favorites like beads on a necklace.
That’s where the stage was decided.
🗣️ What MVDP Said
“I love racing in these conditions. You’ve got to take risks if you want to win — and today was one of those days.”
Some riders survive in the rain. MVDP thrives in it.
While others fought their bikes, Mathieu Van der Poel turned Stage 2 into a wet-weather masterpiece worthy of a Roubaix gallery.
He’s not here just for stage wins. He’s here to paint his name across this Tour.
