Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen get remarkable company in Monuments and the Tour: “Dream come true”

Most WorldTour teams would be pleased with Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen in the Tour de France, but Alpecin-Deceuninck want to raise the stakes in 2025. Australian cyclist Kaden Groves has told Sporza that he, too, will be riding to France this summer. What is your role? He elaborates.

Groves have been a colleague of Van der Poel and Philipsen since 2023 when he transferred from the present Jayco-AlUla club. However, he did not spend much time riding with the two Alpecin-Deceuninck stars. Groves competed in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España in addition to the Tour in 2023 and 2024. He was successful in Spain, winning three stages and the points classification in two consecutive years.

In 2025, Groves will theoretically ride more with Van der Poel and Philipsen, starting in the spring. “Illness and injuries have often meant I have had to miss the classics in recent years. But I have always wanted to do the spring races, and this year, I will,” she says enthusiastically. The program includes the Opening Weekend, Milan-Sanremo, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Brabantse Pijl, and the Amstel Gold Race.

Groves more often with Van der Poel and Philipsen

In Sanremo, Flanders, and Roubaix, Groves will ride alongside his two team leaders. “With Mathieu and Jasper, we have two riders who have already succeeded in the classics. As a versatile rider, I can support them in the Monuments. But I will also get chances myself. They won’t be at Dwars door, but Vlaanderen and I will start as team leaders. I want to gain experience as a team leader in the big classics.”

Groves will also compete in the Giro in May. If he reaches the finish line ‘safe and sound,’ the Tour de France will follow. “In the Tour, I will, of course, support Jasper and Mathieu. Jasper’s track record there is more than impressive. Being part of their success is a big dream come true. But I also dream of one day competing for stage wins in the Tour myself. And maybe this year, a chance will present itself.”

Groves commits to the future alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen

The fact that he does not always have the most possibilities at Alpecin-Deceuninck was not a reason to leave the team. Groves extended his contract for two years despite interest from other teams. “Why did I want to stay with Alpecin-Deceuninck? Because I can still learn a lot from Mathieu and Jasper here. I also have a great program here with the necessary support. And I can continue to develop so that hopefully, one day I will be a leader in the biggest races.”