Mathieu van der Poel, the celebrated three-time victor of the Paris-Roubaix, has garnered significant acclaim for his unmatched cycling prowess. His unique riding style has been described as operating “on the very edge of the laws of physics,” as noted by Magnus Backstedt, a former champion of this prestigious race. Van der Poel, representing the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, displayed exceptional skill and control during this year’s event, which solidified his reputation even further after he skillfully executed a hat-trick victory at the “Hell of the North.”
The race unfolded with immense intensity, drawing in cycling’s most formidable one-day stars as they battled over the unforgiving cobblestones that are a hallmark of the Paris-Roubaix route. The competition became even more thrilling when Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, a first-time participant in this grueling race and former Tour de France champion, made a critical error. As the race progressed and the finish line loomed closer, Pogacar miscalculated his approach into a corner, resulting in a crash just 38 kilometers from the end. This mishap cost him over 20 seconds, and despite his attempts to reclaim that lost time, Van der Poel’s superior bike handling and tactical prowess ultimately ensured his dominance, leading to a situation where Pogacar’s comeback aspirations dwindled.
Following the race, Van der Poel commented on the incident, shedding light on the high-speed nature of the sport. “The speed was super high, and I think he misjudged the turn a little bit. I was just quick enough to save it. That’s part of racing,” he revealed. His understanding of the race dynamics and his ability to navigate through the challenges showcased why he remains a formidable competitor in the cycling world. Meanwhile, Magnus Backstedt’s reflections on Van der Poel’s capabilities were equally revealing, emphasizing the remarkable balancing act between skill and risk that the cyclist continuously maintains. “His margin for error is completely different. What we deem a safe controlled margin of error, his is so close to the very edge of the laws of physics. I don’t think we can even comprehend what he is capable of doing on the bike,” Backstedt remarked on the show *The Breakaway* aired on TNT Sports.
The victory at Roubaix was particularly poignant for Van der Poel as it marked his third consecutive win at the event. Interestingly, this triumph came just days after he had watched Pogacar conquer the Tour of Flanders, a notable defeat for Van der Poel on the cobbled roads. However, instead of relishing his recent success as an act of revenge, Van der Poel chose to express admiration for Pogacar’s remarkable abilities and quiet tenacity. He praised Pogacar’s performance, asserting, “We all know what an incredible champion Tadej is. What he did here in his first Roubaix is… it doesn’t surprise me, but it’s also not normal. He’s just an exceptional talent.”
Pogacar’s first attempt at the Paris-Roubaix may not have gone as planned, but Van der Poel expects a strong return from him, hinting at a thrilling rivalry for future races: “Probably it would be the two of us going to the velodrome if he doesn’t make the mistake. So I guess we’ll see him back next year to take his revenge.” With his win, Van der Poel now stands shoulder to shoulder with Pogacar, each holding eight Monument wins, further heightening the excitement surrounding their rivalry in the cycling community.
As cycling fans reflect on this year’s brutal and exhilarating contest, an unfortunate incident overshadowed the race’s conclusion. During the event, a spectator astonishingly threw a bottle at Van der Poel, an act of bizarre unsportsmanlike behavior. Such occurrences are rare in the biking world but serve as reminders of the passionate and sometimes overzealous nature of sporting events. As the cycling season continues, many will tune in to TNT Sports and discovery+ to witness more of the thrilling and unpredictable world of professional cycling.
