- I had hoped in the best of worlds that it would go this fast, says van der Poel to SVT Sport.
Every tenth of 500 meters means a second of 5000 meters and perhaps the biggest rival in total, Patrick Roest, went 36.44 - 89 hundredths faster than van der Poel.
- It will be difficult to catch nine seconds on Patrick in the 5000 meters, but hopefully I can catch up with some.
But it is not safe because we went so evenly in the Olympics and he can very well take home the distance, says van der Poel.
Immediately after the finish, it was clear that a smiling van der Poel was very pleased with his effort, he stretched a clenched fist and then made a "high five" with the national team captain Johan Röjler.