First they'll battle it out at the Tour of Flanders, but many fans would be lying if they said they weren't looking forward to the following dish even more: Tadej Pogacar vs. Mathieu van der Poel duel at Paris-Roubaix. The Slovenian is yet to make his debut at the Hell of the North this season, but his training efforts are quite promising.
According to the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider's latest activity on Strava, Pogacar did a 213-kilometer training ride this Wednesday, where he broke no less than 3(!) records on sectors of Paris-Roubaix, including Mons-en-Pévèle.
In addition, Tadej Pogacar also recorded the 2nd fastest time ever at Carrefour de l'Arbre, and went through the Vieux Quaremont. There is no doubt that the little cannibal from UAE is taking this part of the season very seriously, and hasn't even begun to think about the Tour de France.
Victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are haunting a rider who feels wounded after the defeat at the last Milano-Sanremo. Will this latest training session by Tadej Pogacar make Mathieu van der Poel nervous?
Tadej Pogacar a effectué une sortie de 213km ce mercredi où il a pris le meilleur temps (KOM) sur Strava dans 3 secteurs de #ParisRoubaix, dont celui de Mons-en-Pévèle. Il a signé aussi le 2e temps dans le Carrefour de l'Arbre. Il est passé aussi par le Vieux Quaremont. pic.twitter.com/FaeTBIypLf
— Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) April 2, 2025
You have to keep all else held equal or you're not isolating the change. A lighter rider is faster at everything, save downhills, all else held equal, as I keep showing. As for wind, just as in flat TTs weight basically doesn't matter, except that lighter equals slightly less rolling resistance. In the same manner, for a 30 kph headwind, weight doesn't matter, as the relevant equation is power vs CdA. The reason why more weight is helpful downhill is the same reason it's hurtful uphill, it "gives back" the energy (not speed) you gained by going up the hill. Lastly, in a sprint, weight is again counterproductive, assuming one has to accelerate up to speed. Accelerating a mass takes energy, and a heavier one takes more energy than a lighter one. Now, at most sprint speeds, almost all energy goes into wind resistance, but the acceleration of mass still does play a part.