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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."
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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.
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