122. Classic Paris-Roubaix: After falling malheur from Pogacar: Triple for van der Poel

When Tadej Pogacar finally reached the venerable concrete slopes in the bike from Roubaix after his fall malheur in the hell of the north, his great rival Mathieu van der Poel had already stormed into a historical triple with three fingers raised. The Slovenian Tour-de-France champion only had to surrender to the Dutch ex-world champion after a driving error with involuntary detour into the green in the 122nd edition of the cobblestone spectacle Paris-Roubaix.

Van der Poel, on the other hand, was again the big triumphant in Roubaix in the duel of the giants after 259.2 kilometers with a minute of over a minute lead for the third time in a row. The last time the Italian Francesco Moser had achieved this from 1978 to 1980.

For Van der Poel it was the eighth victory in one of the five cycling monuments, the most important one-day race in the world. With this he pulled with Pogacar, who had dominated the competition last week on the tour of the Flanders.

For Pogacar, his dream of great triumph ended 38.1 kilometers before the finish. After a small driving error after a curve, Pogacar headed into the barrier and fell. After the chain was again directed, the Slovenian all -rounder jumped back on the bike and rushed by van der Poel – without success. When a technical defect was added, morality was broken. A defect from Van der Poel did not change anything 15 kilometers before the finish.

A “Sunday in paradise”, the sports newspaper “L’Equipe” titled. The ordeal on the 30 cobblestone sectors with a length of 55.3 kilometers is simply hell for most cycling professionals. And there was an expected exchange of blows of the giants, who drove spicy attacks alternately early in the race. Rain in the night had even tightened the conditions on the jerky pavés from the times of Napoleon. Accordingly, there were some bad falls in the race early.

Politt with defect in the forest of Arenberg

The German drivers played no role in the decision. The Cologne Nils Politt, who was already second (2019) and fourth (2024) in Roubaix, was involved in the UAE team from Pogacar as an important helper. A defect in the notorious forest of Arenberg, however, was rejecting his hopes for a top placement.

Routine John Degenkolb, one of only two German winners in the difficult spring classic, was missing after his serious fall with various broken bones on the tour of the Flanders a week ago. Instead, the 36-year-old contacted the hospital after a “hard week” by Instagram.

He would have given everything to be at his favorite race. He was also entertained in front of the television. If van der Poel had celebrated sovereign solo victories in Roubaix in the past two years, it was much more exciting this time – also because of Pogacar.

Row’s attacks of the stars

Already on the Arenberg Passage around 100 kilometers before the end, the favorite group formed, which also included ex-world champion Mads Pedersen. But of all things, a platter slowed down the Danes in an attack of Pogacar 70.7 kilometers before the finish. The Slovenen could only follow van der Poel and with a lot of effort ex-Sanremo winner Jasper Philipsen, who was also at the end of his strength a little later.

Sometimes it also became unsportsmanlike. A spectator threw van der Poel a drinking bottle in the face. However, this had no unsightly consequences for the cross world champion, he was allowed to cheer again in the end.

It continues on cycling with the Ardennes triple Amstel Gold Race (April 20), Flèche Wallonne (April 23) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 27). Pogacar has scheduled his start for all three races.