Despite the world record, van der Poel opened calmly - far too calm for it to feel really comfortable.

- I get a very bad start and do not manage to accelerate well enough the ten meters I have on me to the curve.

As a result, the first 200 meters are really slow with far too low speed the first lap, which leads to me getting a little stressed on the second lap and going a little too hard there and getting in a 28.1 but then I find the speed decent after that, van der Poel analyzes the race in a digital press conference afterwards.

With the result in hand, he would have listened better to the body after the World Cup in February and the overload that occurred in the hip afterwards.

- The hip is better than it has been, it is like a roller coaster that is never really bad but also never really good, van der Poel sums up the feeling.

There is nothing stopping you when you go?

- No, I think the slow starts originate a little grand from the hip but when I go I do not feel it at all but after the races it inhibits a little grand, I think.

It was a pretty bad feeling in the old Olympic town of Salt Lake City (2002) for a long time the days before the race.

- It was a lot of mass training and a little ice, which made us passive before the race.

It did not feel so good but it went pretty fast on the pass.

We posted a 6.02 schedule and we went for it.

In the worst case, I would have blown myself up and gone on 6.07, 6.08, which would not have been so tiring either.

Will run 1500 meters tonight

He got the first update after four laps (1600 meters) so from there van der Poel knew how he was doing.

- It feels very good for Beijing.

Patrick Roest makes 6.03 and shows that he is not gone.

I have shown the capacity I want for the Olympics but there are many others who have also shown it.

I have to be humble because the shape will not be what it has been lately, van der Poel thinks before the Beijing Olympics in February.

But first, the Swede will ride 1500 meters tonight.

- As it is now, I am completely set on driving and then I drive in the B-group and will not be competing for any medals.

I do not have the capacity to compete for medals in the 1500 meters, but I need to do a 1500 m to qualify for the all-round WC in March in Hamar in Norway, says van der Poel and feels the craving for a little finer sparkling wine.

- I would be surprised if I do not stand on the starting line at 1500 meters.

In that case, it would be because I drink too much champagne, but I will try to stay.

My polar bear is on his way and is buying foam now and the idea is that I will drink it when I unwind on the test bike, van der Poel smiles after a typically playful answer.

That race will be decided just before 02.00 Swedish time tonight.