“Paris-Roubaix can’t be compared to anything” - Mathieu van der Poel ahead of the Spring Classics

Mathieu van der Poel looks to spring again with a hunger for monuments. The Dutchman enters the new season intent on raising his arms once more at Milano–Sanremo, the Tour des Flandres and Paris–Roubaix, three races that have defined his career and will likely pit him again against Tadej Pogacar as the main rival. Their duel has become one of the calendar’s great attractions, and all signs suggest this season will be no exception.

Far from changing a winning formula, Van der Poel keeps his plan intact. On WHOOP’s podcast he made clear that his approach remains consistent: “My goals are more or less the same as in recent years: first build through cyclocross and then focus on the big spring classics.” That winter base allows him to arrive with punch and endurance at the decisive appointments in March and April, where every detail matters.

In races like Milano–Sanremo, where positioning before the Poggio is decisive, or in Flanders, with its narrow, explosive bergs, experience becomes a key differentiator. Van der Poel himself explained the importance of that tactical learning: “In the classics, when the route switches from wide roads to narrow climbs, you have to be among the first twenty; if not, it’s impossible to be with the front group. That’s something you can learn, and experience helps, but a strong team is important too.” The message underlines both race reading and the collective support needed to fight for the win.

If one race holds a special place in his heart, it is the Tour des Flandres. Van der Poel did not hide his preference for the Flemish Classic when asked about his favourite: “When people ask me my favourite race, it’s no surprise: the Ronde van Vlaanderen (the Tour des Flandres). It’s the biggest race I can win along with Paris–Roubaix. They’re the races I watched as a kid and always dreamed about.” His words capture the emotional weight monuments carry for a rider who grew up admiring those same roads.

Paris–Roubaix, however, poses a different challenge even for someone with a cyclo-cross past. The Dutchman described the singularity of the Hell of the North: “Paris–Roubaix can’t be compared to anything. It’s so hard because of the cobbles. The finish in the velodrome is unique. Although many cyclo-cross riders want to race it because it looks similar, I don’t agree: it’s the hardest one-day classic. Winning there gives an indescribable feeling. It’s a shame it’s over so fast. As I get older, I try to enjoy it more. One day I will stop racing.”