Mathieu van der Poel doesn't consider Wout van Aert the favourite for Paris-Roubaix: "It is clear that he is not the absolute top favorite"

This Sunday's Paris-Roubaix will see the latest installment of the always exciting rivalry between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. The Dutchman however does not see his Belgian rival as one of the pre-race favourites.

“I already felt pretty good in the Ronde and Scheldeprijs. The Tour suits me better than Roubaix, but if I have the same legs, I should be able to compete for the win," van der Poel says although he doubts whether or not van Aert will be at the same level. "It is clear that he is not the absolute top favorite."

Alpecin-Deceuninck's van der Poel finished runner up at the Tour of Flanders last weekend whilst van Aert had to settle for fourth, could this have any impact on the Paris-Roubaix result though? “One might have been a little better than the other last week, but this is a different game. I think the Wout is also a bit better than the Tour of Flanders," van der Poel explains. “At Roubaix there are a few more contenders, because there is a bit of luck involved. Yet they are the names that everyone expects: Ganna, Küng, Pedersen, Asgreen and Lampaert also immediately come to mind. But more riders can win the race.”

"People sometimes forget that, but our season is very long. For example, from the Cyclo-cross World Cup to Roubaix is ​​one block,” he continues before alluding to his next big goal following Roubaix, the Tour de Suisse. “All this to be at my best for the Tour, the next big goal after Roubaix.”