Mathieu van der Poel, the renowned cyclist, has recently showcased his versatility by achieving an incredibly fast 10K run. This achievement raises an intriguing question: How does he compare to other top cyclists in terms of running prowess? Let's delve into the details.
Van der Poel, already celebrated for his cycling prowess, surprised many with his running speed. On a Thursday morning, he posted an impressive 10K time of 33 minutes and 52 seconds on Strava, maintaining a pace of 3:22 per kilometer. This performance is notably rapid for a cyclist, although not the fastest on record. In December 2021, Eddie Dunbar, another cyclist, finished a 5K race in Cork, Ireland, in 15:26, and Freddy Ovett, a friend of Van der Poel, achieved an even more astonishing 5K time of 14:41 in Girona.
Ovett, a former professional cyclist and son of Olympic gold medalist Steve Ovett, might have influenced Van der Poel's decision to return to Strava and take up running. The idea of Van der Poel participating in an Ironman, a full-length triathlon, has been gaining traction, with social media star Average Rob suggesting it could happen in the future. Ovett, however, seems eager for this challenge to occur sooner, and his social media post has sparked excitement among fans.
The article also highlights other cyclists who have excelled in running. Greg Van Avermaet won the 40-44 title at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and Tom Dumoulin, a former Tour de France runner-up and Giro champ, completed the Amsterdam Marathon in 2:29:21. Nacer Bouhanni and Steve Ovett have also achieved notable marathon times.
The question remains: How hard was Van der Poel pushing himself during his recent runs? Will he participate in an Ironman sooner than expected? Regardless, his cyclocross rivals might feel a sense of unease as they prepare for upcoming races, knowing that Van der Poel's versatility could give him an edge.
