The third monument of the cycling season, the mythical Paris-Roubaix and its terrible cobblestones will shake the favorites for the 120e Time on Sunday when another big duel between Mathieu van der Poel and his eternal rival Wout van Aert is looming.
On the program of the Flandrienne race, the runners face a distance of 256.6 kilometers and 54.5 kilometers on asphalt. The five-star sectors Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre remain for purists.
Second in last Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, ‘VDP’ appears to be number one in an unpredictable race where logic is rarely respected.
Stefan Küng, Mads Pedersen, Filippo Ganna, Christophe Laporte and Kasper Asgreen will also be contenders for victory, although Patrick Lefévère’s Quick Step is no longer at the top of the hierarchy.
Back in the saddle after a fall, defending champion Dylan van Baarle should not be fighting for the podium, while Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar has opted not to compete.
Damaged Cattle
On the Canadian side, Guillaume Boivin remains an uncertain case after an accident at the Tour of Flanders.
Photo by Instagram, Cycling Canada
In position to fight for victory, Boivin had crashed with less than 20 kilometers to go.
“I hit my head and it still hurts a bit. I may have had a small concussion,” he confided with visible disappointment.
‘Le Bovino’ has had some good times lately in Catalonia which has brought him back to his historic 9th place finish in Paris-Roubaix two years ago.
“We’ll see with the medical team,” launched the Quebecer, who was hoping for improvement. Also absent, Hugo Houle will bet more on Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
For his part, Nickolas Zukowsky from Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides will have an unforgettable first experience on Roubaix with his Swiss formation Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
A feverish recruit
In her fever, the 24-year-old cyclist may get advice from her companion Simone Boilard, who will take part in the women’s event the day before.
“I’ve never driven a race with so many cobblestone sections. The TV doesn’t live up to what it really is. It’s a huge challenge. We will do another recognition. For us it’s all about Arenberg. If you’re not in front, you’re out of the race and there’s no point in watching the finale,” explains Zukowsky.
The latter was unable to complete the 273 kilometers of the Tour of Flanders a few days ago, but his luck of finding himself on two monuments remains unbroken.
“Since 2017, I’ve been watching Roubaix and seeing how extreme it is. I dreamed there and it is special to be there. It’s a rare race where everyone wants to fight to the end. It’s also racing backwards and the boys really want to go to the velodrome to finish. There is so much history. »
For the first time, another Canadian will also be at the start. Israel-Premier Tech’s Ontarian Derek Gee will be looking to hold his own in a nervous field.
For almost six hours, crowds, mud and falls will add a new stone to this legendary race.