“Of all the champions I have raced with, Mathieu is the one with the most self-confidence” - Senechal singles out Van der Poel’s defining trait ahead of Paris-Roubaix

Mathieu van der Poel arrives at Paris-Roubaix 2026 on the verge of history, chasing a fourth consecutive victory in a race that has increasingly bent to his will.

The Dutchman has already established himself as the reference point on the cobbles, but according to one of his teammates, the difference lies not just in strength or skill. It is a mindset.

“Of all the champions I have raced with, I think Mathieu is the one with the most self-confidence. That is what really sets him apart from the rest,” Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate Florian Senechal said in conversation with RTBF.

Senechal’s perspective carries weight. The Frenchman has shared teams with riders such as Philippe Gilbert and Julian Alaphilippe, two of the defining Classics specialists of their generation. Yet even among that company, he sees something different in Van der Poel.

“He is impressive. The way he races, how relaxed he is and how he doesn’t feel pressure,” he explains. “He doesn’t talk about the other riders, he just wants to do his own thing and fully enjoy cycling. He is a true leader who knows what he wants and is confident.”

That combination has become increasingly visible at Paris-Roubaix. Unlike races decided by repeated accelerations, Roubaix demands control under pressure. Positioning, line choice and the ability to stay calm at high speed across broken cobbles often matter as much as raw power. In that environment, hesitation can be costly. Van der Poel rarely shows any.

Even for a rider of his calibre, the spring has not been without setbacks. At the Tour of Flanders, Van der Poel was beaten by Tadej Pogacar, missing out on a record-equalling victory despite what many considered a near-perfect ride.

Senechal sensed that disappointment in the immediate aftermath. “Because Mathieu felt very strong. He rode a perfect race. He was so close to breaking the record because he was close to Pogacar. And his father was in the team bus, the Roodhooft brothers were there, the CEO of Premier Tech was there…”

Second place may have been a strong result on paper, but for Van der Poel, the target remains singular. “But he moved on from it quickly and is already focused on Sunday in Roubaix.”

That ability to reset could prove decisive. Van der Poel enters Paris-Roubaix not only as the defending champion, but as the rider every rival must solve. Pogacar arrives in form after victories at Milano-Sanremo and Flanders, while Wout van Aert leads a Visma team looking to disrupt the established order.

Against that backdrop, the margins are thinner than ever. Yet if Roubaix has shown anything in recent years, it is that Van der Poel thrives in precisely that environment. Not because the race is predictable, but because he remains composed when it is not.

Strength, positioning and experience all play their part on the cobbles. But as Senechal’s comments underline, Van der Poel’s greatest advantage may be less tangible.

Confidence, not just in his legs, but in every decision he makes under pressure.

At Paris-Roubaix, that can be the difference between reacting to the race and controlling it. And as he chases a fourth consecutive victory, it may once again define the outcome.