This Sunday, Mathieu van der Poel was crowned champion of the 121st edition of Paris Roubaix, for the second consecutive time, after crowning an attack carried out 60 kilometers from the finish line and which could not be countered by any of his rivals. The Dutch rider continues to show that he is one of the best classicists and also achieves the double with the Tour of Flanders, a true feat in the same season.
At the Roubaix velodrome, the Alpecin Deceuninck man arrived alone to do the two laps on the woodwork and raise his hands. Three minutes later the podium was completed by his teammate Jasper Philisen and the Dane Mads Pedersen.
The Paris Roubaix began with tough news and before entering the pavé sections there was a massive fall that left out important men like Jonathan Milan, from Lidl Trek; Elia Viviani, from INEOS Grenadiers; Laurenz Rex, from Intermarché; among other riders.
With good weather, the main platoon crossed the demanding cobbled sections that also built distance between the groups. Very quickly, 30 riders were selected at the front, where the great favorites Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen and Jasper Philipsen were present, who from the beginning began to make clear their intention to command the lot.
At the entrance to the Aremberg Forest, the controversial chicane that was talked about in the previous one was experienced but there was no fall, especially among the men at the head of the race. When crossing this five-star sector, the one who raised his hand to start trying was the Swiss Stefan Kung, who took the lead along with the German Nils Politt and the Belgian Gianni Vermeersch.
Mathieu van der Poel, in action at Paris Roubaix.
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As the pavé sectors passed, the difference between the escapees and the main group was reduced, which quickly hunted down the three leaders. With 60 kilometers to go, Alpecin put together its strategy and with the help of his gregarious team, Mathieu van der Poel launched a definitive attack to leave alone, with no response from any of his rivals.
From then on, Van der Poel began a solo journey that had no response from any of his rivals, to achieve this appreciated title.