‘I feel he has an opportunity’ – Mathieu van der Poel considers Tadej Pogačar a severe Paris-Roubaix risk

Mathieu van der Poel has conceded that Tadej Pogačar may beat him and so win this yr’s Paris-Roubaix as their 2025 Classics rivalry is confirmed for 2 extra weekends in April. 

On Wednesday, Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad introduced that he’ll journey Paris-Roubaix after weeks of rising hypothesis, stories, conjecture and considerations concerning the risks of racing on the French cobbles. 

The Slovenian, who final Saturday rounded out the Milan-San Remo podium behind Van der Poel and Filippo Ganna, will now miss this week’s E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem.

However, he’ll conflict with Van der Poel on the Tour of Flanders on April 6 after which at Paris-Roubaix on April 13. Ganna may also race Roubaix, whereas Wout van Aert is about to journey each races following a current spell of altitude coaching.

Pogačar beat van der Poel to win the 2023 version of the Tour Flanders, however the Dutchman did the Flanders-Roubaix double final yr in Pogačar’s absence. He admitted that Pogačar may win this yr’s Paris-Roubaix throughout a current unique interview with Cyclingnews, L’Equipe and La Gazzetta dello Sport.  

“He’s confirmed within the Tour de France Roubaix stage how good he’s on the cobbles. So for certain, he is able to successful it,” Van der Poel admitted. 

“It will not be straightforward, nevertheless it’s by no means straightforward. I feel he has an opportunity.” 

Pogačar completed seventh on stage 5 of the 2022 Tour de France, which included 11 sectors of Paris-Roubaix cobbles and completed within the shadow of the Arenberg Forest. His aggression blew the race aside, main his rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič to lose very important time, although the Dane went on to win that yr’s Tour de France.

Van der Poel prefers to concentrate on his personal race than on his rivals however has admitted that Pogačar can harm him.

He was referring to Pogačar’s assault on the ultimate climb of the Oude Kwaremont after their epic battle on the roads and climbs of Flanders in 2023. Pogačar dropped van der Poel on the well-known climb earlier than time trialling to a solo victory 

“If he is stronger, like he was on the Tour of Flanders two years in the past, then it is one thing you need to take care of,” Van der Poel stated.  

“It’s not one thing I can change as a result of I do know I did every little thing I may to be in the very best form at that race. If a rider is stronger, that is how it’s.”

After beating Pogačar to win his seventh Monument on the Via Roma final weekend, Van der Poel stated that it is “all the time particular” to beat the world champion.

“Tadej is everyone’s rival, so for those who can beat him, you are near victory,” he prompt.  

“He’s not solely the most effective Classics riders but additionally the most effective Grand Tour riders. He’s a generational expertise, for certain. I’m pleased to race in opposition to him and for those who beat him, it is particular.