Pichler has discussed training methods with van der Poel and his coach Johan Röjler.
And Pichler's ideas, which he took with him from biathlon, among other things, have been included in the training plan.
Now Nils van der Poel, who is loaded in German Inzell, begins the hunt for a quota place for the Olympics in Beijing.
His goal is to qualify in both 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
There are two ways to reach the Olympics.
Via a good time at each distance or by collecting ranking points in the four World Cup competitions.
van der Poel runs his first 5,000m qualifier in Tomaszów Mazowiecki in Poland tonight.
It is the first competition he has done since the World Cup and the double gold in February.
5000 meters starts at 17.59 and van der Poel runs in the eighth and final heat together with the Dutch rival Jorrit Bergsma.
It is noteworthy that the world champion van der Poel only has the sixth best personal record in the field with his 6.08.39.