One more sleep until the gates of Hell will be opened up! 😈 @parisroubaix calling! 📞 📷 @facepeeters #AlpecinElegant #AlpecinDeceuninck #ParisRoubaix #Elegant #HellOfTheNorth
Mathieu van der Poel unsure how Paris-Roubaix will be raced without "partner in crime" Tadej Pogacar
CyclingSaturday, 08 April 2023 at 16:12
Mathieu van der Poel is one of the big favourites for Paris-Roubaix. It's a tough race for any rider and without the climbs it's always a tough one for the main favourites. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider is confident, but admits to not have ideal conditions.
Asked about the absence of Tadej Pogacar and what difference it could make, van der Poel responded during the race's press conference: "I think he's always a partner in crime and he already showed that he's good on the cobbles as well in the Tour de France last year when he was also in front here. I think it's always nice to race with strong competitors but there will be enough strong riders on Sunday."
Click
here to create your own team for the Fantasy Paris-Roubaix. At least $6,500/€6,000/£5,720
in prizes!
As the Slovenian saves his debut for another year, van der Poel tackles the cobbles for the third time. He's made a big mark in his two participations in Roubaix, but with no win to his name yet. Third time's a charm perhaps for the Dutchman, who is named the big favourite alongside Wout van Aert. However he knows they are not the only two contenders.
"The usual suspects, I think. Filippo Ganna will be really good. Mads Pedersen. Wout van Aert, of course. In Roubaix, you can name like 10-20 riders who can win the race," he continues. "Given the circumstances, you need a bit of luck as well. For sure I'm among the favourites but it's really difficult to pick out one top favourite for the race."
Van der Poel has the form in the climbs but this is different terrain where positioning, endurance and some luck will be needed and important. Good mechanical decisions are as well. Technique on the bike is at it's most important in a race like this, but the dry conditions won't see him benefit: "Actually, I enjoyed the wet editions (2021, ed.) as well but I think gives some dry weather conditions. Maybe there will still be a bit of mud. Today it was still muddy in some places, but it won't be like it was two years ago."
"I think we will have some different circumstances during the race. It was still quite wet and muddy, but of course, it's never bad to do it again because you only ride here once a year. It's difficult to know every section by heart." The Dutchman is not the most experienced figure in the field, but he has ridden Roubaix enough to know where to spend his bullets.
Asked how his legs were, he responded: "In Scheldeprijs already they felt pretty good. Yesterday I took a day off and today we did a slightly longer recon. I think that should do for Sunday. I think the Tour of Flanders suits me a bit better than Paris-Roubaix but for sure it's a hard race as well, so I hope I have the same legs on Sunday."
"I think I have a good shape so it's always fun when you're riding good. I think the problems with my back are also getting better, almost solved. This was maybe why I didn't reach my full potential last year. I also chose together with the team to do a bit less racing and to be fully focused on the races I do," he concluded.
Just in
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
Nov 05, 13:04
0
Popular news
Latest comments
- What!! 5 million for a martinez and a Remco and Vingegaard as well. Something is seriously wrong. Should be 5 mil in 3 years probably.abstractengineer08-11-2024
- Remco could definitely lose a couple kilograms. That would help him a lot if he can keep his sustained power which is likely at his age. Above all else though, he needs support. He would have definitely been second if he had Jonas' supportVeganpotter08-11-2024
- van der poel is, what, 29? probably gonna be looking pretty good for this list by the time he walks away in 5 or 6 years.OCexile08-11-2024
- Jonas will be strong next year, he came into the Tour so lightweight after his injuries in that crash. I feel like he'll be focused and ready to go. That said Tadej is going to be tough to beat but it can happen. Should be a great Tour.awp08-11-2024
- It's going to be a great fight! I hope JV gets there in shape, Pogi aswell! And, I hope the Giro wont be a goal, but the Vuelta instead. Let Wout do his Giro (or Jorgensen as GC he can still do the Tour after or the Vuelta) Then, JV and Pogi, will have a match in both the Tour and the Vuelta! (Given Pogi goes for the Tour-Vuelta this time)Stitz08-11-2024
- Dumb and dumber...two of the worst cycling commentators to listen too ! Roll sounds like he's going through puberty half the time with his comments.frieders308-11-2024
- Il faut une enquête antidopage complète sur (au moins) PogacarFredoFredo07-11-2024
- Le mec était hyper chargéFredoFredo07-11-2024
- Ca continue avec l'équipe UAEFredoFredo07-11-2024
- C'est Evenepoel qui a gagné cette courseFredoFredo07-11-2024