Dylan van Baarle has ridden an extraordinary 2022 spring. Finishing second in Flanders and winning Paris-Roubaix - alongside other results - he was the best performing rider. In 2023 as he moved to Jumbo-Visma who were expected to dominate the classics it hasn't quite worked out due to health issues, but he will return to put on the number 1 bib on the decisive day.
"The last few weeks have not been easy, but I have tried to stay calm and prepare for Paris-Roubaix," van Baarle explained in a press release. "Luckily I got back in shape after a few good days of training. Hopefully that will be enough to compete. It hurts not to be on the Ronde, so I want to be there on Sunday to bring the cobbled trophy back to home with the team."
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The Dutchman made an ideal debut with the Dutch team this season, starting his season late but with a win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. He seemed to fit perfectly with the team's tactics, but suffered an injury at Tirreno-Adriatico, and then crashed again at the E3 Saxo Classic. A combination of health issues saw him skip several races, including the Tour of Flanders where the team couldn't take the win.
However now in Roubaix, where van Baarle won last year with a solo attack, the team come as big favourites. He will be joined by the likes of Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte who are among the main contenders for the day, and if bad luck is not present in the race the Dutch team could very well use their number to put a lot of damage into the competition.
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