"I am no worse than in the year that I won Paris-Roubaix" - Can Dylan van Baarle be another victory contender alongside Wout van Aert?

Dylan van Baarle won Paris-Roubaix back in 2022, a year where he thrived in the cobbled classics. However since joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike he suffered from a lot of bad luck, but can he make a comeback this year alongside Wout van Aert? The Dutchman also talked about Tadej Pogacar's chances in the 'Hell of the North'.

"My form is good, but the pieces of the puzzle still have to fall into place. If I look at my wattages, the last three races have been my toughest. I am no worse than in the year that I won Paris-Roubaix, but the level has simply increased so much," the Dutchman said in the In Koers podcast. "Behind the top favorites there is a very large group that is equal, and that was different in the past. The condition is there, and if the legs are there, I could easily compete for the win. But, the luck factor is also extremely important".

Wout Poels who was also being interviewed believes that his compatriot stands real chances of fighting amongst the very best. "If Dylan is in the right place at the right times, he could go far. It's not for nothing that he has already won Paris-Roubaix".

Roubaix is a race for those who have a lot of endurance and raw power, and the veteran is one of them. In 2023 he crashed out of the race, and last spring a long-standing illness forced him to miss the start of the race at the end of a disappointing spring. What followed was even worst, as since June van Baarle has suffered three crashes that led to fractures and forced him to miss a lot of racing. Hence, he is also not starting this edition of Roubaix in the best form.

Besides, Visma has to face a new rival in Tadej Pogacar who adds a lot of unknowns into this edition of Roubaix. But he recalls that in Flanders, there were no surprises, just inability to follow him. "You just know he's going to go, but you can't do anything about it. From the second time up Oude Kwaremont he just rode all the climbs at an insanely fast pace. It's just impressive to see how he does that".

"It's going to be an interesting race. Also with Pogacar at the start again. But I don't think he can outrace Wout, Mathieu or Mads on the flat cobblestone sections" the Dutchman argues however. "But I don't expect him to be outraced either. It could well be that he wins on his debut".