Mathieu van der Poel's Tour de France lesson inspires Dauphiné star

Dauphiné revelation **Mathieu Baudin** says he learned a valuable lesson from **Mathieu van der Poel**'s Tour de France experience in 2023. The young French rider credits the Dutch star's struggles in last year's race for shaping his own approach to professional cycling.

What happened at the Tour de France?

Van der Poel's 2023 Tour de France campaign ended abruptly when he abandoned the race after Stage 9. The Dutch champion, known for his aggressive racing style, struggled with the demands of the Grand Tour format. Baudin, who watched the race closely, took note of how van der Poel's early efforts left him depleted.

Why it matters for young riders

Baudin's breakthrough performance at the 2026 Critérium du Dauphiné has drawn comparisons to van der Poel's early career. The 22-year-old Frenchman says he studied van der Poel's races to understand the balance between aggression and endurance. 'Seeing how that ended for him was a lesson,' Baudin said after his Dauphiné stage win.

What comes next for Baudin?

With his Dauphiné success, Baudin has emerged as a rising star in road cycling. He plans to apply the lessons from van der Poel's experience as he prepares for his own Grand Tour debut. The young rider's ability to learn from others' mistakes could be key to his future success.