Mathieu van der Poel overcame a thrown bottle, a puncture, and a strong challenge from world champion Tadej Pogacar to win Paris-Roubaix for the third consecutive year. His victory marks an impressive milestone, making him the first rider since Francesco Moser in 1980 to claim three straight wins in the “Hell of the North.” Van der Poel’s triumph came after a dramatic final phase of the race, which saw several twists and turns, including a brief setback caused by a bottle being hurled at his face.
Pogacar, competing in his first Paris-Roubaix, was aiming to become the first Tour de France winner to also conquer the cobbled classic since Bernard Hinault in 1981. The Slovenian showed his strength early on but made a crucial mistake when he lost control during a sharp turn on a cobbled section, allowing Van der Poel to break away. Despite Pogacar’s efforts to close the 20-second gap, Van der Poel’s relentless pace proved too much, and the Dutchman extended his lead, securing his eighth Monument Classic win, which includes multiple victories in Milan-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders.
The race was intense, with Van der Poel displaying his strength after a tough opening phase. Despite a challenging course that heavily favored the stronger riders, Van der Poel was undeterred by a series of challenges. He initially struggled on a few cobbled sections but found his rhythm as the race progressed. Pogacar, on the other hand, continued to press, although his high-speed efforts were tempered by a few tactical errors.
At one point, Van der Poel launched a brutal attack 87 kilometers from the finish line, putting Pogacar on the defensive. The Slovenian, visibly struggling, was forced to rely on his team for glucose gels to recover. However, he managed to regroup and mount a serious challenge with 71 kilometers to go. Meanwhile, Denmark’s Mads Pedersen, another pre-race favorite, experienced an unfortunate puncture that significantly impacted his chances for a podium finish.
Van der Poel’s teammate, Jasper Philipsen, was unable to keep up when the Dutchman increased the pace again on the cobbles of Mons-en-Pevele. This left Van der Poel and Pogacar locked in a fierce battle. However, Pogacar’s hopes were dashed when he made a fatal mistake on a sharp bend, causing him to fall and lose valuable time. After a bike change, Pogacar continued to chase, but it was too late. Van der Poel was in control and even managed to weather the pressure of a punctured tire in the final stages.
Pedersen, despite the setbacks, managed to secure third place, completing a podium made up of world champions. Van der Poel’s victory was a testament to his resilience and determination, as he had to overcome not only the challenges posed by the cobbles but also a chaotic moment when a bottle was thrown at him during the race. Van der Poel expressed his relief and joy after the finish, acknowledging Pogacar’s strength and admitting that if not for the Slovenian’s mistake, it would have been a much tighter race.
The victory adds to Van der Poel’s legacy as one of cycling’s top competitors, further solidifying his place in the sport’s history. Meanwhile, Pogacar’s error in the race and Pedersen’s puncture highlighted the unpredictable nature of Paris-Roubaix, where even the smallest mistake can cost riders dearly.
