"Crashes are often underestimated," Van der Poel senior explains in a post-race interview with VTM Nieuws. "You're still hitting the ground at sixty kilometres per hour. I'm convinced that without that crash, he would have stayed in the race. That fall had a big effect."
In the end, Van der Poel had to settle for 3rd place at the line, losing out in the sprint for 2nd behind the runaway Pogacar to
Mads Pedersen. "The best riders in the race finish first and third," Adrie van der Poel assesses. "Mads Pedersen, who came second, played it smart, and he’s also definitely faster. The wind also played a major role in how the race unfolded."
Ultimately though, given they can look to the crash as a potential reason for the defeat, camp Van der Poel aren't too dissuaded in their quest for Paris-Roubaix glory next weekend. "It doesn’t really say much about Paris-Roubaix next week, because everyone essentially starts from scratch. But it’s clear that Pogacar is the top favourite. The weather will be good, it will be dry, and he can handle the corners well. Plus, he has a solid team behind him," he concludes. "Riding on cobblestones is just like climbing a mountain to me. When there's nothing left in your legs, you’re not going anywhere."