Mathieu van der Poel Reflects on Tour of Flanders, Looks Ahead to Paris-Roubaix Showdown!

Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning champion of the Tour of Flanders, expressed a mix of determination and satisfaction after securing a podium finish in this year’s edition of the grueling 269km race. As Tadej Pogačar delivered a stunning performance, racing to a remarkable solo victory after his attack on the Oude Kwaremont, van der Poel found himself battling not only the top competitors but also the elements and a crash that threatened to derail his ambitions.

In a race that demanded extraordinary endurance and tactical prowess, van der Poel managed to stay close to Pogačar during key moments but ultimately could not respond to the Slovenian's decisive acceleration on the penultimate climb. Finishing third, he crossed the line 1:01 behind the world champion but reiterated his satisfaction with the result, especially given the circumstances.

“I was already on the limit from quite far,” van der Poel remarked when asked about his chances for victory. The veteran rider acknowledged that while the crash—with about 127 kilometers to go—was unfortunate, he felt he and his team fought valiantly throughout the race. “It’s never good to be in a crash, but luckily the damage wasn’t too severe,” he added, reflecting on the chaotic nature of the day.

This podium finish marks yet another solid performance for van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders, where he has now secured a top-three finish in six out of his seven appearances. In contrast, Pogačar has recorded an impressive two victories from three attempts, both achieved after launching decisive solo breaks on the iconic Oude Kwaremont.

Despite moments where he felt out of position in the race, van der Poel maintained a positive outlook. “I think I can be happy with the race I did. I fought pretty hard, but I had a feeling early on that I was on the limit,” he admitted, underscoring the physical toll the race took on him.

Now, all eyes turn towards the next challenge: Paris-Roubaix, famously known as the "Queen of Classics." Both van der Poel and Pogačar will be there, along with formidable competitors like Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, and Jasper Stuyven. It will be the first appearance for Pogačar at Roubaix, while van der Poel aims to add a third cobblestone trophy to his collection.

“I think Roubaix is less of a hard race than Flanders,” van der Poel speculated. “You need a bit more luck as well in Roubaix, but we will see.” With the excitement building for the legendary cobbled race, fans are eager to see if van der Poel can reclaim his dominance and outpace his competitors in what promises to be another thrilling chapter of the Spring Classics. Will he overcome the challenges and add the coveted Roubaix title to his accolades? Stay tuned!