"I fell harder than I first thought" - Wout van Aert still feels effects of Tour of Flanders crash ahead of Paris-Roubaix

Wout van Aert was one of the many riders affected by the mass crash at the Tour of Flanders. A fan-recorded video showed his tumble perfectly, however one that wasn't much taken into consideration later in the race. He still feels the effects of it heading into Paris-Roubaix. 

"I don't feel very well: my knee and ribs do bother me. I fell harder than I first thought. The Ronde was also a super tough race and I think I need time to get ready for Sunday," van Aert told Sporza during a recon of the Paris-Roubaix course. "I was just able to train. I'm not limited, but I don't feel great. Too bad. My condition is good and I hope I'm ready to ride the final. Mentally I'm trying to recharge."

Adrie van der Poel suggested that van Aert was the ultimate favourite for Roubaix, a statement which van Aert shrugged off as an attempt to shift the favouritism. "That is almost laughable if you have seen Mathieu van der Poel in Milan-Sanremo and the Tour [of Flanders]. Then there is only one favorite." The Dutchman rode to second last weekend, whilst he won Sanremo.

In a race as chaotic as Roubaix however there is no man to beat. The French race is sure to be the last of van Aert's spring however, as he concludes: "That's the schedule and we're not going to change that. I'll take a little rest. I haven't raced much, but I have used up a lot of energy. I need a break for this summer."