"There is a big difference between Paris-Roubaix then and now" - Jose de Cauwer trusts Tadej Pogacar's bid for Paris-Roubaix
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar turned heads on Wednesday with a Paris-Roubaix recon ride on Strava when he recorded some of fastest times on the race's iconic cobbled sectors. José De Cauwer has seen cycling change profoundly thanks to advancements in technology, training and tactics.
He particularly notices this change at Paris-Roubaix. "In recent years, there has been a big difference between Paris-Roubaix now and the past," he tells Sporza. "The choice of equipment has improved so much that specialist work is somewhat neglected."
De Cauwer believes that this is one of the reasons a rider like Tadej Pogacar can compete for prizes in a race that was never tailor-made for typical climbers. "You also see fewer and fewer riders with blisters. Bikes simply roll better, there are much heavier tires, different set-ups. That's why it's different. Suddenly, lighter riders can handle it too, they used to say that 70 kg was the minimum. You'll see, Pogacar will definitely be able to handle it."
And for them, but actually for everyone, training behind the motorbike is of vital importance. De Cauwer: "It's hardly comparable: riding into the Arrenberg Forrest at 35 km or 60 km per hour." It's why the debated chicane was introduced on the course last year to prevent carnage that may occur when a 100-headed peloton hits the 5-star cobbles at full speed.
Alpecin-Deceuninck's selection on echelons ensured an eventless passage of Arrenberg in 2024, but the approach to the famous sector will be much more straight forward again next Sunday. That means larger entry speeds and with that comes greater risk of crashes.
"Then you really have to survive the first 500 meters. That bike also has to be steered, that's a completely different picture. That's why it's really necessary to experience that behind a car or motorcycle to have that speed."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses 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.
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