“I see him causing absolute chaos" - Legendary commentator Phil Liggett previews Pogacar's Paris-Roubaix debut
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar’s upcoming debut at Paris-Roubaix has the
cycling world buzzing, and legendary commentator Phil Liggett is among those
watching with curiosity and excitement.
Speaking on NBC’s Beyond The Podium, Liggett shared
his thoughts on the reigning Tour de France champion taking on one of the
sport’s most unforgiving races.
“Once you get to the forest of Arenberg, and the trenches
outside, it’s every man for himself, it’s a battleground,” Liggett explained. “If
you drop a wheel your race could be over.”
Paris-Roubaix, often referred to as the “Hell of the North”,
is notorious for its brutal cobbled sectors, unpredictable conditions, and
chaotic racing. Pogacar, known for his attacking flair and incredible endurance,
will face a vastly different challenge on the bone-rattling pavé of northern
France.
“I wonder how Tadej will handle all that chaos,” Liggett
continued. “He will have to hold his position at the front from the first
cobblestones.”
With his aggressive style and love for racing on instinct,
Pogacar might be tempted to light up the race early. But as Liggett cautioned,
the real challenge may lie in pacing his efforts across nearly the monument
distance.
“Such a difficult race. With his enthusiasm, he’s going to
want to let himself go as soon as he gets the chance. But can he last the
distance – that’s the question?”
The Slovenian superstar has already conquered the Tour of
Flanders and has Il Lombardia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the World
Championships on his palmarès. But Roubaix remains an entirely different beast,
one that has humbled many greats.
Still, Liggett is certain that Pogacar won’t go unnoticed: “I
see him causing absolute chaos!”
With Mathieu van der Poel (the reigning Paris-Roubaix
champion) expected to be on the start line, fans could be treated to yet
another showdown between two of the sport’s generational talents.
The question remains: can Pogacar beat Van der Poel at his
own game on the cobbles of Roubaix? We’ll find out next month in one of the
most highly anticipated editions of the Hell of the North in years.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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