"I've showered here many times, but never as a winner" - Mathieu van der Poel savours the iconic Paris-Roubaix showers following victory

The iconic Paris-Roubaix showers are a place where many an iconic photo has been taken. Capturing the elation and heartbreak that immediately follows the Hell of the North, this year it was Mathieu van der Poel's turn to savour the moment and bask in the glory of his sweet victory.

"I've showered here many times, but never as a winner," the Alpecin-Deceuninck star told Sporza reporter Sammy Neyrinck just moments after the first Paris-Roubaix win of his career. "If you can choose as a rider, you want to win here in this way. I was able to enjoy a lap on that track. That was a unique moment."

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With main rival Wout van Aert suffering arguably the most ill-timed puncture in cycling history, van der Poel was able to relax and enjoy the moment as he finally conquered the Hell of the North at the third time of asking. "In the past I would have enjoyed it less, but now I have tried to absorb the moment within myself. I realize that it will probably never happen again this way," he says. "Solo, after a strong team performance and with Jasper Philipsen as runner-up, will never happen."

"The part of my teammates in this victory cannot be overestimated," the 28-year-old continues. "In Roubaix you don't just need good legs. You also need a good portion of luck to triumph here. It is a great pity for Wout that he just had bad luck there. Otherwise, we have to be honest, we would have had a totally different ending."

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