Maximum respect from UAE for Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck: “He is one of the best classics riders”
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar came within touching distance of a historic
debut victory at Paris-Roubaix, but ultimately had to settle for second behind
three-time champion Mathieu van der Poel. While the Slovenian’s podium was an
impressive feat in itself, the result also highlighted the growing mutual
respect between cycling’s two dominant forces.
Speaking to Wieler Revue inside the Roubaix
velodrome, UAE Team Emirates - XRG sporting director Joxéan Matxín was
full of praise for Pogacar’s ride and philosophical about the result.
"Of course Tadej always starts to win, but it was his
first time in Paris-Roubaix," he said, smiling. "He finishes on the
podium, it was a great day for him. I'm sure he's happy, but from tomorrow
he'll also think: I can win here one day. Yes, maybe next year."
The Spaniard was quick to acknowledge that Van der Poel’s
triumph didn’t just reflect on the Dutchman, but elevated the level of
competition and the spectacle for fans.
"Mathieu van der Poel is also a great rider. He is one
of the best classics riders. Not only of this moment, but of all time. The fact
that he has now beaten Tadej also gives his victory more value. He has now won
eight Monuments. Just like Tadej. They are the best advertisement for our
sport."
Pogacar and Van der Poel have quickly developed one of
cycling’s most compelling rivalries. Just a week ago, it was Pogacar who
triumphed over Van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders, but in Roubaix, the
Dutchman struck back in dominant fashion, just as he did at Milano-Sanremo last
month.
Despite the fierce competition, there is no bitterness
between the teams. If anything, the admiration has only grown. Matxín was even
asked whether Pogacar still manages to surprise him, and the answer was a
resounding yes.
"Yes, still very often on the bike. When he attacks at
the World Championships with a hundred kilometers to go, it surprises me too.
Just like today in Paris-Roubaix. But ultimately a champion like him thinks
differently than other riders."
Any concerns that such a gruelling effort might impact
Pogacar’s preparation for the Tour de France were swiftly dismissed.
"No, this won't affect the Tour de France. He has
enough time to focus on the longer climbs. For a champion like him, it's easy
to switch between such different races."
As for what’s next, recovery is now the priority for UAE
Team Emirates’ talisman. His next appearance is still undecided.
"The recovery time is one week. It is important that he
can recover well from this heavy effort. We still have to see whether he will
also ride the Amstel."
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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