Mathieu van der Pol attacked early in the Tirreno-Adriatico stage 6, but ultimately failed to make an impact in the race. However, the Dutch rider insists that he is not worried about his form for the spring classics race that is just around the corner.

Milan-San Remo is just a week away, Ghent-Wevelgem, the opening cobbled classic on March 26, and the Tour of Flanders is just three weeks away. Despite the impending race, Van der Pol refused to start worrying about his apparent lack of form and results compared to his Classics rivals such as Tadej Pogachar, Wout Van Aert, and Tom Pidcock. [The Alpecin-Desseuninck rider told Sporza before the steep climb called "Muri" around Oshimo on stage 6, "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do it.

Van der Pol, who dominated the winter cyclocross season and won the world title on February 5, returned to road racing in Italy. After enjoying a week off, he trained for two weeks in Spain's Syncrosfera, a hotel that mimics the highlands, but surprisingly struggled in his season debut at Strade Bianche.

The team played its part in the early sprint stages of Tirreno-Adriatico and gave Jasper Philipsen a textbook leadout in Foligno. However, in the fourth stage, Tortoleto, where he was expected to fight for the win, he was separated before the final short climb.

"To be honest, I was a little disappointed with my legs so far," Van der Pol explained before Saturday's sixth stage.

"I was able to help my teammate a few times, but I thought I could do a little better. But I think this race will make me stronger for the races to come. I need this race to be in top form."

"I think it's important to remember that my preparation for the road season was very short. After the cyclo-cross world championships I only trained for two weeks after a week of rest.

Van der Pol won the 2021 Tirreno-Adriatico "Muri" stage from a 65km breakaway. That year he dropped out with 40 km to go on the steepest climb of the Osimo finish circuit as his classic rival, Wout van Aert, increased the pace, finishing 14 minutes behind stage winner Primosz Roglic.

"I'm not at the level of 2021, when I won," he said. But I'm not panicking yet."

After the stage, van der Pol did not comment on his performance. After finishing with teammate Gianni Fermersch, he took a drink and went straight to his team.