The queen of the classics returns with the 121st edition. We are talking about Paris-Roubaix, which will take place on Sunday, April 7. Reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel is determinedly aiming for a back-to-back challenge but few can stop him.
Paris-Roubaix: Never this cobblestone, VDP tries again
Paris-Roubaix 2024: Lots missing and lots of cobblestones
Last year, he became the sole champion thanks to a puncture suffered by his great rival Wout Van Aert. This year Van Aert will not be able to play at all due to a serious injury. Mathieu van der Poel will try again at Paris-RoubaixPerhaps the most difficult among the so-called “classical monuments”. It’s no surprise that the race hasn’t been won by the same rider two years in a row since Tom Boonen in 2008-2009.
This year the organization made things even more complicated because along 259.9 km of the route 55.7 on cobblestones. Classic asphalt pavements, typical of some streets in northern France and Belgium, have existed for more than 30 years. An extra challenge for a race that already has huge numbers, also known as the “Hell of the North.”
In any case, this is true for specialist SNAI* shareholders Mathieu van der Poel is the first favorite compete. Alpecin champion Deceuninck is played at 2.50. Teammate Jasper Philipsen, who won Milan-Sanremo a few weeks ago and is currently clocked at 4.50, is considered his first opponent. Third force in the field should be Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen in 6.50.
Possible surprises and discontinuities
Rarely in Paris-Roubaix will those who are not there make noise like this one. In fact, the big crash involving Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel at the Basque Country Tour is very new news. The latter might have been the protagonist of Roubaix, but clavicle and scapula fractures They will block it. Matej Mohoric is among the deadAnother reliable outsider in the race and another defeat.
Due to the tension of these hours due to what happened and an unexpected change in the route (a trick intended to slow down riders) that angered many, including the VDP itself, they are looking for other cyclists who can make a coup. . Definitely someone John Degenkolb, German DSM expertLast year it was the seventh and was given on Sunday at 15:00.
What if instead it had been an Italian at the Roubaix velodrome, raising his arms to the sky? The last person to succeed was Sonny ColbrelliAuthor of success beyond epic in 2021. We have important cards to play this year, especially after seeing how Sanremo went. Filippo Ganna from Ineos and Alberto Bettiol from EF Education are in great form: the former pays 15, the latter plays 20.
*quotes are subject to change
