Some is perhaps calling it boring, predictable, inevitable even, however there isn’t any denying that Mathieu van der Poel’s efficiency on the 2024 Paris-Roubaix was spectacular. To trip Mads Pedersen off his wheel on the Forest of Arenberg is a feat that not many – if any – others can declare.
And dominant although his efficiency was, you do not win Roubaix with no staff of fantastic mechanics, a well-dialled bike, and an enormous stroke of luck.
While his teammate Jasper Philipsen – who completed an equally spectacular 2nd – suffered an premature puncture shortly after the Arenberg forest, Van der Poel had no such misfortune.
His Canyon Aeroad CFR, which has obtained its fair proportion of criticism throughout its tenure as Van der Poel’s race bike, flawlessly noticed him via 259km of Northern France’s most interesting terrain between Compiegne and Roubaix, full with 55km of cobbled terrain.
His Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres, in measurement 32c and pumped as much as 3.46 bar (50 PSI), carried out equally nicely. Save for a momentary chain drop, his Shimano Dura-Ace groupset missed barely a single beat.
Just as with Lotte Kopecky’s bike yesterday, I put within the arduous graft (particularly sweet-talking the ASO for behind-the-scenes entry) and managed to get a handful of up-close photographs with the World Champion’s bike. Let’s dive in for a motorcycle verify.
Check out all one of the best of the Roubaix tech from the mens race in our Premium Tech Gallery.
His bike was fitted with 50mm deep Shimano’s Dura-Ace wheels (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)They have been shod with Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres, arrange tubeless, with a foam insert inside. Spot the additional rim stickers for Roubaix (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)The tyres have been 32c huge. Watch the video under to see the mechanic getting ready them for the race. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)Within minutes of Van der Poel crossing the road, the UCI and their beige chinos have been fast to tag it. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)All podium bikes will likely be examined for mechanical doping. The tag will not be eliminated till that take a look at has been accomplished. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)Being a Shimano-sponsored rider, Van der Poel was operating a 2X chainset, with 54/40T chainrings. We do not count on that internal chainring was used in any respect although. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)That was paired with an 11-30 cassette (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)He makes use of 172.5mm cranks (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)His World Champ paintjob is refined, however stylish. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)Unlike Kopecky yesterday, Van der Poel hasn’t tilted his shifters in in any respect, that is simply the pure curve of the Dura-Ace shifters (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)While the entire of Soudal-QuickStep used spherical handlebars this 12 months, Van der Poel used a one-piece aero cockpit. He technically cannot run something aside from this, because the Aeroad makes use of a novel proprietary quill-style headset. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)The 3D printed out-front laptop mount is a pleasant contact too (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)Shortly after my time with the bike, it was whisked away by this stern trying man. Mathieu then rode it to the well-known Roubaix showers, earlier than ultimately heading to the press room for his press convention. (Image credit score: Josh Croxton)Post-race, Van der Poel rode his Canyon into the well-known Roubaix showers (Image credit score: Will Jones)The bike was leant up swiftly towards a wall while the champ jumped within the bathe, there was some mud splatter from the cobbles, however the bike was comparatively clear (Image credit score: Will Jones)World Champ rainbow strips and Roubaix mud splatter, not a foul mixture actually (Image credit score: Will Jones)We realized within the press convention Van der Poel rode the primary 100km on ‘skinnier’ tyres ( we assume 28’s) to save lots of power (Image credit score: Will Jones)Will this bike go to a museum, proceed to be raced or go house with Van der Poel? Either manner, it made historical past right this moment (Image credit score: Will Jones)
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
