**Today Marks the First Recon Ride at Alpe d’Huez: The Wait is Over — Mathieu van der Poel Hits the Climb for His First Official Training Session on the Legendary Ascent… Full Details ⬇️**
The atmosphere in the French Alps was electric today as **Mathieu van der Poel**, one of cycling’s most electrifying talents, officially took to the iconic slopes of **Alpe d’Huez** for his first reconnaissance ride ahead of a potentially game-changing mountain stage in this year’s Grand Tour season.
With fans lining portions of the climb despite it being only a training day, Van der Poel pedaled through the thin alpine air under a bright summer sky, his every move tracked by media crews, drones, and eager spectators. The Dutch superstar, known more for his explosive attacks on the cobbles and his cyclocross dominance, is entering new territory — literally and figuratively — as he eyes a serious bid in the mountain stages.
“**It’s different from anything I’ve done before,**” Van der Poel admitted in a post-ride interview at the summit. “Alpe d’Huez is not just another climb — it’s history, it’s suffering, it’s where legends are made. I’m here to learn it, respect it, and test myself against it.”
The 21-hairpin climb, steeped in Tour de France lore, has broken many elite riders over the decades. But Van der Poel appeared comfortable during his training ride, opting for a steady, controlled pace while testing gear ratios, hydration strategies, and body positioning.
His Alpecin–Deceuninck team followed closely in the support car, capturing telemetry data and providing technical feedback. Team Director Christoph Roodhooft commented on the importance of the recon: “**Mathieu isn’t here just for show. He’s preparing for something big. We want to give him every tool possible to succeed when the day comes.**”
Rumors have been swirling that Van der Poel could target a late-stage attack on Alpe d’Huez during a critical queen stage later this month. While not traditionally a general classification (GC) contender, Van der Poel’s unmatched power and fearless approach make him a wildcard — and a threat to shake up the mountain dynamics if he chooses to go on the offensive.
Fans watching from the roadside today expressed both surprise and admiration for his effort.
“Seeing Mathieu here — it’s like watching a rockstar train,” said one French fan draped in a Dutch flag. “You don’t usually expect the cobble kings to take on the Alps, but this guy is something else.”
Van der Poel’s appearance today was more than symbolic. It signaled a new level of seriousness in his Grand Tour ambitions. Whether it results in a stage victory on Alpe d’Huez remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — the legendary climb now has a new name etched into its lore.
And with just days remaining until the race reaches the mountains, the world waits in anticipation: **Can Mathieu conquer the Alps the same way he’s conquered every other battlefield on two wheels?**
