{"id":1877283,"date":"2026-04-11T13:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877283"},"modified":"2026-04-11T13:00:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:00:20","slug":"paris-roubaix-brings-tadej-pogacar-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel-round-three-in-2026-but-who-has-the-better-supporting-cast-for-the-hellish-pave-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877283","title":{"rendered":"Paris-Roubaix brings Tadej Poga\u010dar vs Mathieu van der Poel round three in 2026, but who has the better supporting cast for the hellish pav\u00e9? \u2013 Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-2560-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix brings Tadej Poga\u010dar vs Mathieu van der Poel round three in 2026, but who has the better supporting cast for the hellish pav\u00e9? \u2013 Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-11T13:00:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Comparing UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s riders head-to-head for The Hell of the North <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel during the 2026 Tour of Flanders<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Pogacar vs Van der Poel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Vermeersch vs Philipsen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Politt vs Del Grosso<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Bjerg vs Dillier<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Morgado vs Planckaert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Molano vs S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Oliveira vs Rickaert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>The other top teams:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li 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w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a\">If Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s stunning win at Milan-San Remo showed anything apart from his excellence, it was that even he \u2013 the best rider anyone has seen for 50 years \u2013 needs an elite team to win the hardest races.<\/p>\n<p>The same was true of the Tour of Flanders, where his teammate Florian Vermeersch was vital to how early the race was blown to pieces, and in truth, Poga\u010dar would not have got to his total of 12 Monuments as seemingly easily as he has without UAE Team Emirates-XRG having several of the best riders in the world in his support.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His main Classics rival and the three-time defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel, has enjoyed similar support from his Alpecin-Premier Tech teammates, notably at Paris-Roubaix, where the two modern superstars will face off for a third time this season.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has lost the key support of Tim Wellens due to injury this Classics campaign, but Van der Poel has also seen his team take a hit after Gianni Vermeersch transferred away to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Both squads are still filled with rising talents and those with specific experience to support their leaders, but with the chaos of the Roubaix cobbles quickly approaching this Sunday, just how do Alpecin and UAE&#8217;s respective seven-man squads match up in terms of quality?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-tadej-pogacar-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel\"><span>Tadej Pogacar vs Mathieu van der Poel<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fcb6fed1-436e-49da-9ad6-6fb1eaca89c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel during the 2026 Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9a9c7b6f-3a81-4212-b811-ff9fd03ee20c\">Poga\u010dar is 2-0 up in their 2026 matchups so far, winning both Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, but Paris-Roubaix is the race where Van der Poel is most at home, with his bike handling over the rough terrain and pure power on the flat parcours giving him the edge.<\/p>\n<p>In both of the first two Monuments, Poga\u010dar has enough climbing to show off his superiority, dropping the Dutchman on the Poggio and then the Oude Kwaremont. There won&#8217;t be any ascents as difficult come Sunday, so the World Champion does lose his advantage, but the current form he is in suggests that even Van der Poel may not be strong enough.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar may have only made his debut over the vicious pav\u00e8 last season, but he had already impressed in the area during the 2022 Tour and, while a mistake ultimately lost him the race, that year of experience can&#8217;t be downplayed.<\/p>\n<p>He will know the course well, with several UAE recons taking place between the end of the 2025 edition and now, and it normally doesn&#8217;t take him too many attempts at a new race before he wins it.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel will be looking for revenge during the spring, having missed out on a third San Remo and fourth Flanders title in the past few weeks, and Roubaix has been his banker since 2023, winning all of the past three editions solo.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have the big gun still to come&#8217; \u2013 Are UAE Team Emirates-XRG the biggest threat to Mathieu van der Poel at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, even without Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Strength-wise, he too looks to be at an all-time high, and he should have the technical advantage as stated. Even arriving at the velodrome for a two-up sprint, you would have Van der Poel as favourite, so while he is 2-0 down, it&#8217;s hard to bet against him returning one victory back this Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-florian-vermeersch-vs-jasper-philipsen\"><span>Florian Vermeersch vs Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15c0f9b3-bd7e-45e7-bf44-57fd211cd956\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Florian Vermeersch split the race up on the Molenberg during the recent Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-473f7813-b5a0-47ae-b80b-d1ca3736f113\">Both teams have former runner-ups as their second card to play on Sunday, with Belgian Classics specialist Florian Vermeersch becoming a vital player for Poga\u010dar this season and Jasper Philipsen representing the most versatile fast-man at the race.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen has combined perfectly with Van der Poel throughout his three wins, marking moves behind his solo attack in 2023 and 2024 before outsprinting whoever entered the iconic velodrome alongside him to take second.<\/p>\n<p>Even last season, Philipsen was the final rider to be dropped by his teammate and his former teammate on the road to Roubaix, but he ultimately ended in 11th. Six spots ahead of him was Vermeersch, who backed up his second-place from 2021 and proved that it was no fluke.<\/p>\n<p>He led UAE during much of the 2026 cobbled races, before blowing the race up and leading out Poga\u010dar at Flanders in the last 100km. Even when his teammate went away, his effort didn&#8217;t end, as he rolled across the line in seventh, a true sign of the progress he&#8217;s made.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen did confirm he was suffering from a cold in the lead-up to the race, so he may be missing the same percentage points which carried him to the podium in Roubaix, but he will be buoyed by a recent victory at In Flanders Fields, and can almost always play the Van der Poel card when it comes to the work he does in northern France.<\/p>\n<p>Both could prove essential in the race for glory and history, but Vermeersch has arguably been the more in-form of the two in recent weeks. Expect him to be Poga\u010dar&#8217;s final man, and possibly even a second attacking option for UAE, which forces Van der Poel to chase.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-nils-politt-vs-tibor-del-grosso\"><span>Nils Politt vs Tibor Del Grosso<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53e22522-cda8-4f49-a02d-679d5893a831\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nils Politt on the front of the main bunch during the Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ffb0bcd-c8e7-46b4-b23b-dc9d11b169b0\">The next matchup is one truly of experience against talent, with Nils Politt taking on his 10th Paris-Roubaix and Tibor Del Grosso his first. But both are essential cogs in their respective UAE and Alpecin machines.<\/p>\n<p>Politt could be resigned to working simply on the front to make the race as hard as possible for Poga\u010dar, but he was the second last man used before they split up Flanders on the Molenberg, so his form is clearly at a high.<\/p>\n<p>The big German will no doubt be drilling things on the front, and any sign of his usually lung-busting effort on the front could be a signal to all of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rivals that a final acceleration from Vermeersch and then the big attack is coming. Politt has finished second, fourth and seventh in this race, so he knows just how to be successful over the pav\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Del Grosso, 22, is one of the top rising stars in the peloton and a big weapon of the future for Alpecin. But for now, he will be on duty to help position Van der Poel for the most important moments on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Also coming from cyclo-cross, he too is an excellent bike handler, but he&#8217;s also in great shape, having just won the NXT Classic and been one of Van der Poel&#8217;s final helpers at E3 Saxo Classic, before he attacked away in the final 60km.<\/p>\n<p>Before Vermeersch and Philipsen really come into play, Politt and Del Grosso could well prove to be the key to who enters the most important sectors in first position, and therefore decide who gets to exert the pressure when they want to.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-mikkel-bjerg-vs-silvan-dillier\"><span>Mikkel Bjerg vs Silvan Dillier<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5662f13-8723-41f3-bd2c-87768395c91d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see former Paris-Roubaix runner-up Silvain Dillier on the front on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-309a6dbf-1fa5-4562-acc6-3508d92b809b\">Every team needs someone to control the breakaway, and at Paris-Roubaix, that can be more essential than ever. Such is the chaos and carnage of the cobbles, top riders and rivals can always slip into early moves, and once you get ahead, it&#8217;s far from simple to just chase big groups down.<\/p>\n<p>Dillier and Bjerg have both proved their worth in the Monuments so far, with the Swiss rider doing almost 200km on his own at the front of Milan-San Remo, and Bjerg doing that controlling job at Flanders.<\/p>\n<p>With the playing field equalised by the flatter parcours, expect both men to do a serious job on the front, depending on how strong the breakaway that gets away, if one indeed does, is.<\/p>\n<p>Bjerg has also been among the strongest riders in a Monument himself before, finishing in the top five of Flanders before, but it&#8217;s Dillier who has the Roubaix experience, taking second in memorable fashion behind only Peter Sagan in 2018 after a day in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Expect to see an awful lot of the Danish UAE rider and the bands of the former Swiss national champion on the front on Sunday. Their importance can not be downplayed.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-morgado-vs-edward-planckaert\"><span>Antonio Morgado vs Edward Planckaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-99e65bf8-9dec-410e-afc2-9332c4e74124\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Planckaert is one of Van der Poel&#8217;s right-hand men at Alpecin <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7709090d-bd6a-4ea9-adc6-f74d56bf912f\">Antonio Morgado and Edward Planckaert represent another matchup of youthful talent vs experience, with the 22-year-old racing for UAE and the 31-year-old backing up Van der Poel, as he has at the last two editions of Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Morgado has big things expected of his future, but his punchy characteristics suit races such as the Tour of Flanders better than the flatter Roubaix. For this reason, expect him to play an earlier role in the UAE train for Poga\u010dar, but he&#8217;s got the potential to be another top performer.<\/p>\n<p>Plackaert has played multiple different roles during his time supporting Van der Poel, sometimes helping to chase down breaks, bringing the Dutchman back from any issues, but recently he played a notable role at the E3 Saxo Classics by getting in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel attacked across to him with Tim van Dijke, before using a small pull from Planckaert to launch the solo move, which ultimately resulted in victory. If an Alpecin rider tries to get into the early moves, expect it to be one of Planckaert or Dillier, and this could prove invaluable in the latter stages and the fight against Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-sebastian-molano-vs-florian-senechal\"><span>Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano vs Florian S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2025c9ee-0423-4c56-a1c0-d3b0da3a0883\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">This Sunday will bring Senechal&#8217;s 11th start at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1fd24903-8065-40b5-b657-017014ccf02c\">Meaning no disrespect, UAE&#8217;s sprint backup for Roubaix isn&#8217;t quite on the calibre of a Philipsen, with Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano being a more than capable sprinter but no world-beater like the Belgian.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s taken up a spot with UAE struggling due to injury, but has played a domestique on several occasions for the Slovenian in stage races before, so he is definitely able to use his engine over flat roads to the World Champion&#8217;s benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin have a second fast man among their ranks for Sunday in the form of Florian Sen\u00e9chal, who may lack the experience of racing with Van der Poel and Philipsen, as a near signing for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>But he knows exactly how to take on Paris-Roubaix, having raced the cobbled Monument 10 times already in his career, with a top result of sixth in 2019, and it&#8217;s this king of Roubaix expertise that could prove vital in a tough moment for his leaders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-rui-oliveira-vs-jonas-rickaert\"><span>Rui Oliveira vs Jonas Rickaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7e2626f7-428d-4592-bebb-64135138f1c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Rui Oliveira and Juan Sebastian Molano at the Ronde van Brugge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-15ac42dc-e957-47a3-8e69-a3c016c437ae\">Jonas Rickaert has long played a big part in the successes of Van der Poel and Philipsen at Alpecin, often as a lead-out man but primarily as a long-term domestique, who has almost become part of the furniture at the Belgian team since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday will be his sixth Paris-Roubaix appearance, and while they would both love for him to do a big lead-out onto the velodrome, he&#8217;s more likely to play a smaller role in the early phases.<\/p>\n<p>The same is true of UAE&#8217;s Oliveira, who is taking on his third Roubaix. He&#8217;ll be hoping to not get crashed at the start line as he was at the Tour of Flanders, but will play a similar role in the early hours of racing out of Compi\u00e8gne, guiding Poga\u010dar and his key helpers to the vital sectors.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-the-other-top-teams\"><span>The other top teams:<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a05bd8b6-b808-4d7d-9c6e-df9ee7fd53e9\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert and Laporte at the finish of In Flanders Fields <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d7febed9-2780-43d8-b1f6-601da89b1480\">Overall, Alpecin likely have a deeper level of talent and experience across their squad for Sunday, but Poga\u010dar himself may swing the balance to UAE&#8217;s side on his own. Either way, they aren&#8217;t the only teams starting with seven elite riders for Sunday, and the next big rivals bubbling just under will also have ample support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visma-Lease a Bike<\/strong> are led by their talisman <strong>Wout van Aert<\/strong>, who is continuing to chase victory at a Monument for the first time since 2020. He responded well to Poga\u010dar initially in Flanders, but was ultimately a level below the winner, Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been three years since a puncture on the Carrefour de l&#8217;Arbre ruined his best chance at Roubaix glory, but with the flatter parcours, the gap from him to the two big favourites should be smaller.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps with a bit of luck and alongside an arguably stronger overall Visma squad that also features Christophe Laporte, Per Strand Hagenes and Matthew Brennan, they can use their numeric advantage to finally bring it home for the Belgian in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ineos Grenadiers <\/strong>have the next top favourite with <strong>Filippo Ganna<\/strong>, who will be hoping desperately for better luck than in the 2025 race. They&#8217;ll mostly rely on the Italian for a result, but the likes of Josh Tarling and Ben Turner could prove vital in them challenging UAE and Alpecin.<\/p>\n<p>Two-time podium finisher <strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is leading a squad of big men for <strong>Lidl-Trek<\/strong> on Sunday, with sprint option Jonathan Milan, Mathias Vacek and Max Walscheid all representing possible top 10 finishers as well.<\/p>\n<p>A puncture also ruined Pedersen&#8217;s race in the final 70km last season, but after his miraculous comeback from a crash at Milan-San Remo last month, the Dane&#8217;s form could well be rising just in time for the big appointment. He&#8217;s yet to win a Monument, but Sunday could see the powerful Lidl-Trek outfit guide Pedersen to the Velodrome, where if he&#8217;s able to sprint for the win, it would be hard to bet against him, even in the face of Poga\u010dar or Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-adf71c63-8142-4eb8-9820-a858631e9fcd\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech<\/p>\n<p>UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Pogacar<\/p>\n<p>Mathieu van der Poel<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We have the big gun still to come&#8217; \u2013 Are UAE Team Emirates-XRG the biggest threat to Mathieu van der Poel at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, even without Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Don&#8217;t invent stories where there aren&#8217;t any&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek teammate defends Juan Ayuso after social media criticism over Basque Country withdrawal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Brendan Johnston, Alexis Skarda win titles at Utah&#8217;s Salty Lizard; Unbound winner to race new Pulaski MTN-X; MAAP launches U23 initiative &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s been a few tough days&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso abandons Itzulia Basque Country before chance to climb out of large GC deficit <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A few so-called experts had an opinion&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel defends Flanders power numbers and working with Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Paris-Roubaix rematch<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has thrown the kitchen sink at his bike for Paris-Roubaix and I love everything about it<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">It started with an omelette \u2013 The story of Chez Fran\u00e7oise, the humble caf\u00e9 that has become &#8216;part of the legend of Paris-Roubaix&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unorthodox and indecisive: Everything we know from Paris-Roubaix recon so far<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix are both on the same day this year \u2013 great plan for more spectators, or disadvantaging the women&#8217;s race?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accesories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Archive Sale ends this weekend, and it&#8217;s your last chance to save up to 50% on some of our favourite Rapha apparel \u2013 Gear up for summer now at a fraction of the cost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name every Paris-Roubaix podium in the last 10 years?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Itzulia Basque Country stage 6 LIVE &#8211; More climbing on the menu for final stage of the race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Even more new prototype Dura-Ace parts spotted on Jasper Philipsen&#8217;s Canyon Endurace CFR for Paris-Roubaix <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Quiz! Can you name every Paris-Roubaix podium in the last 10 years?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Lidl-Trek sports director Kim Andersen excluded from Itzulia Basque Country after his team car collided with Markel Beloki<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has thrown the kitchen sink at his bike for Paris-Roubaix and I love everything about it<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix brings Tadej Poga\u010dar vs Mathieu van der Poel round three in 2026, but who has the better supporting cast for the hellish pav\u00e9? \u2013 Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-11T13:00:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Comparing UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s riders head-to-head for The Hell of the North <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel during the 2026 Tour of Flanders<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Pogacar vs Van der Poel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Vermeersch vs Philipsen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Politt vs Del Grosso<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Bjerg vs Dillier<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Morgado vs Planckaert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Molano vs S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Oliveira vs Rickaert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>The other top teams:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li 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w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a\">If Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s stunning win at Milan-San Remo showed anything apart from his excellence, it was that even he \u2013 the best rider anyone has seen for 50 years \u2013 needs an elite team to win the hardest races.<\/p>\n<p>The same was true of the Tour of Flanders, where his teammate Florian Vermeersch was vital to how early the race was blown to pieces, and in truth, Poga\u010dar would not have got to his total of 12 Monuments as seemingly easily as he has without UAE Team Emirates-XRG having several of the best riders in the world in his support.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His main Classics rival and the three-time defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel, has enjoyed similar support from his Alpecin-Premier Tech teammates, notably at Paris-Roubaix, where the two modern superstars will face off for a third time this season.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has lost the key support of Tim Wellens due to injury this Classics campaign, but Van der Poel has also seen his team take a hit after Gianni Vermeersch transferred away to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Both squads are still filled with rising talents and those with specific experience to support their leaders, but with the chaos of the Roubaix cobbles quickly approaching this Sunday, just how do Alpecin and UAE&#8217;s respective seven-man squads match up in terms of quality?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-tadej-pogacar-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel\"><span>Tadej Pogacar vs Mathieu van der Poel<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fcb6fed1-436e-49da-9ad6-6fb1eaca89c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel during the 2026 Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9a9c7b6f-3a81-4212-b811-ff9fd03ee20c\">Poga\u010dar is 2-0 up in their 2026 matchups so far, winning both Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, but Paris-Roubaix is the race where Van der Poel is most at home, with his bike handling over the rough terrain and pure power on the flat parcours giving him the edge.<\/p>\n<p>In both of the first two Monuments, Poga\u010dar has enough climbing to show off his superiority, dropping the Dutchman on the Poggio and then the Oude Kwaremont. There won&#8217;t be any ascents as difficult come Sunday, so the World Champion does lose his advantage, but the current form he is in suggests that even Van der Poel may not be strong enough.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar may have only made his debut over the vicious pav\u00e8 last season, but he had already impressed in the area during the 2022 Tour and, while a mistake ultimately lost him the race, that year of experience can&#8217;t be downplayed.<\/p>\n<p>He will know the course well, with several UAE recons taking place between the end of the 2025 edition and now, and it normally doesn&#8217;t take him too many attempts at a new race before he wins it.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel will be looking for revenge during the spring, having missed out on a third San Remo and fourth Flanders title in the past few weeks, and Roubaix has been his banker since 2023, winning all of the past three editions solo.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have the big gun still to come&#8217; \u2013 Are UAE Team Emirates-XRG the biggest threat to Mathieu van der Poel at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, even without Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Strength-wise, he too looks to be at an all-time high, and he should have the technical advantage as stated. Even arriving at the velodrome for a two-up sprint, you would have Van der Poel as favourite, so while he is 2-0 down, it&#8217;s hard to bet against him returning one victory back this Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-florian-vermeersch-vs-jasper-philipsen\"><span>Florian Vermeersch vs Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15c0f9b3-bd7e-45e7-bf44-57fd211cd956\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Florian Vermeersch split the race up on the Molenberg during the recent Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-473f7813-b5a0-47ae-b80b-d1ca3736f113\">Both teams have former runner-ups as their second card to play on Sunday, with Belgian Classics specialist Florian Vermeersch becoming a vital player for Poga\u010dar this season and Jasper Philipsen representing the most versatile fast-man at the race.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen has combined perfectly with Van der Poel throughout his three wins, marking moves behind his solo attack in 2023 and 2024 before outsprinting whoever entered the iconic velodrome alongside him to take second.<\/p>\n<p>Even last season, Philipsen was the final rider to be dropped by his teammate and his former teammate on the road to Roubaix, but he ultimately ended in 11th. Six spots ahead of him was Vermeersch, who backed up his second-place from 2021 and proved that it was no fluke.<\/p>\n<p>He led UAE during much of the 2026 cobbled races, before blowing the race up and leading out Poga\u010dar at Flanders in the last 100km. Even when his teammate went away, his effort didn&#8217;t end, as he rolled across the line in seventh, a true sign of the progress he&#8217;s made.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen did confirm he was suffering from a cold in the lead-up to the race, so he may be missing the same percentage points which carried him to the podium in Roubaix, but he will be buoyed by a recent victory at In Flanders Fields, and can almost always play the Van der Poel card when it comes to the work he does in northern France.<\/p>\n<p>Both could prove essential in the race for glory and history, but Vermeersch has arguably been the more in-form of the two in recent weeks. Expect him to be Poga\u010dar&#8217;s final man, and possibly even a second attacking option for UAE, which forces Van der Poel to chase.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-nils-politt-vs-tibor-del-grosso\"><span>Nils Politt vs Tibor Del Grosso<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53e22522-cda8-4f49-a02d-679d5893a831\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nils Politt on the front of the main bunch during the Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ffb0bcd-c8e7-46b4-b23b-dc9d11b169b0\">The next matchup is one truly of experience against talent, with Nils Politt taking on his 10th Paris-Roubaix and Tibor Del Grosso his first. But both are essential cogs in their respective UAE and Alpecin machines.<\/p>\n<p>Politt could be resigned to working simply on the front to make the race as hard as possible for Poga\u010dar, but he was the second last man used before they split up Flanders on the Molenberg, so his form is clearly at a high.<\/p>\n<p>The big German will no doubt be drilling things on the front, and any sign of his usually lung-busting effort on the front could be a signal to all of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rivals that a final acceleration from Vermeersch and then the big attack is coming. Politt has finished second, fourth and seventh in this race, so he knows just how to be successful over the pav\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Del Grosso, 22, is one of the top rising stars in the peloton and a big weapon of the future for Alpecin. But for now, he will be on duty to help position Van der Poel for the most important moments on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Also coming from cyclo-cross, he too is an excellent bike handler, but he&#8217;s also in great shape, having just won the NXT Classic and been one of Van der Poel&#8217;s final helpers at E3 Saxo Classic, before he attacked away in the final 60km.<\/p>\n<p>Before Vermeersch and Philipsen really come into play, Politt and Del Grosso could well prove to be the key to who enters the most important sectors in first position, and therefore decide who gets to exert the pressure when they want to.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-mikkel-bjerg-vs-silvan-dillier\"><span>Mikkel Bjerg vs Silvan Dillier<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5662f13-8723-41f3-bd2c-87768395c91d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see former Paris-Roubaix runner-up Silvain Dillier on the front on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-309a6dbf-1fa5-4562-acc6-3508d92b809b\">Every team needs someone to control the breakaway, and at Paris-Roubaix, that can be more essential than ever. Such is the chaos and carnage of the cobbles, top riders and rivals can always slip into early moves, and once you get ahead, it&#8217;s far from simple to just chase big groups down.<\/p>\n<p>Dillier and Bjerg have both proved their worth in the Monuments so far, with the Swiss rider doing almost 200km on his own at the front of Milan-San Remo, and Bjerg doing that controlling job at Flanders.<\/p>\n<p>With the playing field equalised by the flatter parcours, expect both men to do a serious job on the front, depending on how strong the breakaway that gets away, if one indeed does, is.<\/p>\n<p>Bjerg has also been among the strongest riders in a Monument himself before, finishing in the top five of Flanders before, but it&#8217;s Dillier who has the Roubaix experience, taking second in memorable fashion behind only Peter Sagan in 2018 after a day in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Expect to see an awful lot of the Danish UAE rider and the bands of the former Swiss national champion on the front on Sunday. Their importance can not be downplayed.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-morgado-vs-edward-planckaert\"><span>Antonio Morgado vs Edward Planckaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-99e65bf8-9dec-410e-afc2-9332c4e74124\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Planckaert is one of Van der Poel&#8217;s right-hand men at Alpecin <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7709090d-bd6a-4ea9-adc6-f74d56bf912f\">Antonio Morgado and Edward Planckaert represent another matchup of youthful talent vs experience, with the 22-year-old racing for UAE and the 31-year-old backing up Van der Poel, as he has at the last two editions of Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Morgado has big things expected of his future, but his punchy characteristics suit races such as the Tour of Flanders better than the flatter Roubaix. For this reason, expect him to play an earlier role in the UAE train for Poga\u010dar, but he&#8217;s got the potential to be another top performer.<\/p>\n<p>Plackaert has played multiple different roles during his time supporting Van der Poel, sometimes helping to chase down breaks, bringing the Dutchman back from any issues, but recently he played a notable role at the E3 Saxo Classics by getting in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel attacked across to him with Tim van Dijke, before using a small pull from Planckaert to launch the solo move, which ultimately resulted in victory. If an Alpecin rider tries to get into the early moves, expect it to be one of Planckaert or Dillier, and this could prove invaluable in the latter stages and the fight against Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-sebastian-molano-vs-florian-senechal\"><span>Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano vs Florian S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2025c9ee-0423-4c56-a1c0-d3b0da3a0883\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">This Sunday will bring Senechal&#8217;s 11th start at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1fd24903-8065-40b5-b657-017014ccf02c\">Meaning no disrespect, UAE&#8217;s sprint backup for Roubaix isn&#8217;t quite on the calibre of a Philipsen, with Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano being a more than capable sprinter but no world-beater like the Belgian.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s taken up a spot with UAE struggling due to injury, but has played a domestique on several occasions for the Slovenian in stage races before, so he is definitely able to use his engine over flat roads to the World Champion&#8217;s benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin have a second fast man among their ranks for Sunday in the form of Florian Sen\u00e9chal, who may lack the experience of racing with Van der Poel and Philipsen, as a near signing for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>But he knows exactly how to take on Paris-Roubaix, having raced the cobbled Monument 10 times already in his career, with a top result of sixth in 2019, and it&#8217;s this king of Roubaix expertise that could prove vital in a tough moment for his leaders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-rui-oliveira-vs-jonas-rickaert\"><span>Rui Oliveira vs Jonas Rickaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7e2626f7-428d-4592-bebb-64135138f1c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Rui Oliveira and Juan Sebastian Molano at the Ronde van Brugge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-15ac42dc-e957-47a3-8e69-a3c016c437ae\">Jonas Rickaert has long played a big part in the successes of Van der Poel and Philipsen at Alpecin, often as a lead-out man but primarily as a long-term domestique, who has almost become part of the furniture at the Belgian team since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday will be his sixth Paris-Roubaix appearance, and while they would both love for him to do a big lead-out onto the velodrome, he&#8217;s more likely to play a smaller role in the early phases.<\/p>\n<p>The same is true of UAE&#8217;s Oliveira, who is taking on his third Roubaix. He&#8217;ll be hoping to not get crashed at the start line as he was at the Tour of Flanders, but will play a similar role in the early hours of racing out of Compi\u00e8gne, guiding Poga\u010dar and his key helpers to the vital sectors.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-the-other-top-teams\"><span>The other top teams:<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a05bd8b6-b808-4d7d-9c6e-df9ee7fd53e9\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert and Laporte at the finish of In Flanders Fields <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d7febed9-2780-43d8-b1f6-601da89b1480\">Overall, Alpecin likely have a deeper level of talent and experience across their squad for Sunday, but Poga\u010dar himself may swing the balance to UAE&#8217;s side on his own. Either way, they aren&#8217;t the only teams starting with seven elite riders for Sunday, and the next big rivals bubbling just under will also have ample support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visma-Lease a Bike<\/strong> are led by their talisman <strong>Wout van Aert<\/strong>, who is continuing to chase victory at a Monument for the first time since 2020. He responded well to Poga\u010dar initially in Flanders, but was ultimately a level below the winner, Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been three years since a puncture on the Carrefour de l&#8217;Arbre ruined his best chance at Roubaix glory, but with the flatter parcours, the gap from him to the two big favourites should be smaller.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps with a bit of luck and alongside an arguably stronger overall Visma squad that also features Christophe Laporte, Per Strand Hagenes and Matthew Brennan, they can use their numeric advantage to finally bring it home for the Belgian in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ineos Grenadiers <\/strong>have the next top favourite with <strong>Filippo Ganna<\/strong>, who will be hoping desperately for better luck than in the 2025 race. They&#8217;ll mostly rely on the Italian for a result, but the likes of Josh Tarling and Ben Turner could prove vital in them challenging UAE and Alpecin.<\/p>\n<p>Two-time podium finisher <strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is leading a squad of big men for <strong>Lidl-Trek<\/strong> on Sunday, with sprint option Jonathan Milan, Mathias Vacek and Max Walscheid all representing possible top 10 finishers as well.<\/p>\n<p>A puncture also ruined Pedersen&#8217;s race in the final 70km last season, but after his miraculous comeback from a crash at Milan-San Remo last month, the Dane&#8217;s form could well be rising just in time for the big appointment. He&#8217;s yet to win a Monument, but Sunday could see the powerful Lidl-Trek outfit guide Pedersen to the Velodrome, where if he&#8217;s able to sprint for the win, it would be hard to bet against him, even in the face of Poga\u010dar or Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-adf71c63-8142-4eb8-9820-a858631e9fcd\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech<\/p>\n<p>UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Pogacar<\/p>\n<p>Mathieu van der Poel<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We have the big gun still to come&#8217; \u2013 Are UAE Team Emirates-XRG the biggest threat to Mathieu van der Poel at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, even without Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rs9hvJ9P4iNbm7qy3z3ane-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Don&#8217;t invent stories where there aren&#8217;t any&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek teammate defends Juan Ayuso after social media criticism over Basque Country withdrawal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Cs2KghLHGM8JvWEAzLwRF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Brendan Johnston, Alexis Skarda win titles at Utah&#8217;s Salty Lizard; Unbound winner to race new Pulaski MTN-X; MAAP launches U23 initiative &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RtQTAF4NFPFPejZepaLYj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s been a few tough days&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso abandons Itzulia Basque Country before chance to climb out of large GC deficit <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZAC8YP2nP9Swk52VUwvzRM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A few so-called experts had an opinion&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel defends Flanders power numbers and working with Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Paris-Roubaix rematch<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a5C3dpRF7WWJohLQ76g4dN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has thrown the kitchen sink at his bike for Paris-Roubaix and I love everything about it<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/93a59gAv2MRyQCHeCKdkaf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">It started with an omelette \u2013 The story of Chez Fran\u00e7oise, the humble caf\u00e9 that has become &#8216;part of the legend of Paris-Roubaix&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PfFJku8cuv2vkBRGzVoidc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unorthodox and indecisive: Everything we know from Paris-Roubaix recon so far<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/soSfqPEiQo4KQLbDoXVbGL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix are both on the same day this year \u2013 great plan for more spectators, or disadvantaging the women&#8217;s race?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accesories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Archive Sale ends this weekend, and it&#8217;s your last chance to save up to 50% on some of our favourite Rapha apparel \u2013 Gear up for summer now at a fraction of the cost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EUsU4rLRSvpekyM5P9sexe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name every Paris-Roubaix podium in the last 10 years?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4bkUwoiA6BawBQkLgVu9pL.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Itzulia Basque Country stage 6 LIVE &#8211; More climbing on the menu for final stage of the race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Even more new prototype Dura-Ace parts spotted on Jasper Philipsen&#8217;s Canyon Endurace CFR for Paris-Roubaix <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Quiz! Can you name every Paris-Roubaix podium in the last 10 years?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Lidl-Trek sports director Kim Andersen excluded from Itzulia Basque Country after his team car collided with Markel Beloki<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has thrown the kitchen sink at his bike for Paris-Roubaix and I love everything about it<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix brings Tadej Poga\u010dar vs Mathieu van der Poel round three in 2026, but who has the better supporting cast for the hellish pav\u00e9? \u2013 Analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-11T13:00:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Comparing UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s riders head-to-head for The Hell of the North <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a\">If Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s stunning win at Milan-San Remo showed anything apart from his excellence, it was that even he \u2013 the best rider anyone has seen for 50 years \u2013 needs an elite team to win the hardest races.<\/p>\n<p>The same was true of the Tour of Flanders, where his teammate Florian Vermeersch was vital to how early the race was blown to pieces, and in truth, Poga\u010dar would not have got to his total of 12 Monuments as seemingly easily as he has without UAE Team Emirates-XRG having several of the best riders in the world in his support.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-50363c40-a852-4eaa-a253-313ae2054d2a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His main Classics rival and the three-time defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel, has enjoyed similar support from his Alpecin-Premier Tech teammates, notably at Paris-Roubaix, where the two modern superstars will face off for a third time this season.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2cahqKRa5PJFaCbizL2oMM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Poga\u010dar, and beyond \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s Paris-Roubaix <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Poga\u010dar has lost the key support of Tim Wellens due to injury this Classics campaign, but Van der Poel has also seen his team take a hit after Gianni Vermeersch transferred away to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Both squads are still filled with rising talents and those with specific experience to support their leaders, but with the chaos of the Roubaix cobbles quickly approaching this Sunday, just how do Alpecin and UAE&#8217;s respective seven-man squads match up in terms of quality?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-tadej-pogacar-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel\"><span>Tadej Pogacar vs Mathieu van der Poel<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fcb6fed1-436e-49da-9ad6-6fb1eaca89c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel during the 2026 Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9a9c7b6f-3a81-4212-b811-ff9fd03ee20c\">Poga\u010dar is 2-0 up in their 2026 matchups so far, winning both Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, but Paris-Roubaix is the race where Van der Poel is most at home, with his bike handling over the rough terrain and pure power on the flat parcours giving him the edge.<\/p>\n<p>In both of the first two Monuments, Poga\u010dar has enough climbing to show off his superiority, dropping the Dutchman on the Poggio and then the Oude Kwaremont. There won&#8217;t be any ascents as difficult come Sunday, so the World Champion does lose his advantage, but the current form he is in suggests that even Van der Poel may not be strong enough.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-8DDZto5H8ohA9huSLpZiQE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poga\u010dar may have only made his debut over the vicious pav\u00e8 last season, but he had already impressed in the area during the 2022 Tour and, while a mistake ultimately lost him the race, that year of experience can&#8217;t be downplayed.<\/p>\n<p>He will know the course well, with several UAE recons taking place between the end of the 2025 edition and now, and it normally doesn&#8217;t take him too many attempts at a new race before he wins it.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel will be looking for revenge during the spring, having missed out on a third San Remo and fourth Flanders title in the past few weeks, and Roubaix has been his banker since 2023, winning all of the past three editions solo.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KwKNtB6ihVoAvkSqVipK7g-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Big guys&#8217; Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar &#8216;determine where Paris-Roubaix is made hard and how selective it will be&#8217;, says Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZsxHaqFbYGEMznwYUddoAL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have the big gun still to come&#8217; \u2013 Are UAE Team Emirates-XRG the biggest threat to Mathieu van der Poel at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, even without Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Strength-wise, he too looks to be at an all-time high, and he should have the technical advantage as stated. Even arriving at the velodrome for a two-up sprint, you would have Van der Poel as favourite, so while he is 2-0 down, it&#8217;s hard to bet against him returning one victory back this Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-florian-vermeersch-vs-jasper-philipsen\"><span>Florian Vermeersch vs Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15c0f9b3-bd7e-45e7-bf44-57fd211cd956\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isN4v2snmTfS3D8fh5F4xe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Florian Vermeersch split the race up on the Molenberg during the recent Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-473f7813-b5a0-47ae-b80b-d1ca3736f113\">Both teams have former runner-ups as their second card to play on Sunday, with Belgian Classics specialist Florian Vermeersch becoming a vital player for Poga\u010dar this season and Jasper Philipsen representing the most versatile fast-man at the race.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen has combined perfectly with Van der Poel throughout his three wins, marking moves behind his solo attack in 2023 and 2024 before outsprinting whoever entered the iconic velodrome alongside him to take second.<\/p>\n<p>Even last season, Philipsen was the final rider to be dropped by his teammate and his former teammate on the road to Roubaix, but he ultimately ended in 11th. Six spots ahead of him was Vermeersch, who backed up his second-place from 2021 and proved that it was no fluke.<\/p>\n<p>He led UAE during much of the 2026 cobbled races, before blowing the race up and leading out Poga\u010dar at Flanders in the last 100km. Even when his teammate went away, his effort didn&#8217;t end, as he rolled across the line in seventh, a true sign of the progress he&#8217;s made.<\/p>\n<p>Philipsen did confirm he was suffering from a cold in the lead-up to the race, so he may be missing the same percentage points which carried him to the podium in Roubaix, but he will be buoyed by a recent victory at In Flanders Fields, and can almost always play the Van der Poel card when it comes to the work he does in northern France.<\/p>\n<p>Both could prove essential in the race for glory and history, but Vermeersch has arguably been the more in-form of the two in recent weeks. Expect him to be Poga\u010dar&#8217;s final man, and possibly even a second attacking option for UAE, which forces Van der Poel to chase.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-nils-politt-vs-tibor-del-grosso\"><span>Nils Politt vs Tibor Del Grosso<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53e22522-cda8-4f49-a02d-679d5893a831\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oefNvQjDwQbFtSNDVtiAWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nils Politt on the front of the main bunch during the Tour of Flanders <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-9ffb0bcd-c8e7-46b4-b23b-dc9d11b169b0\">The next matchup is one truly of experience against talent, with Nils Politt taking on his 10th Paris-Roubaix and Tibor Del Grosso his first. But both are essential cogs in their respective UAE and Alpecin machines.<\/p>\n<p>Politt could be resigned to working simply on the front to make the race as hard as possible for Poga\u010dar, but he was the second last man used before they split up Flanders on the Molenberg, so his form is clearly at a high.<\/p>\n<p>The big German will no doubt be drilling things on the front, and any sign of his usually lung-busting effort on the front could be a signal to all of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s rivals that a final acceleration from Vermeersch and then the big attack is coming. Politt has finished second, fourth and seventh in this race, so he knows just how to be successful over the pav\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Del Grosso, 22, is one of the top rising stars in the peloton and a big weapon of the future for Alpecin. But for now, he will be on duty to help position Van der Poel for the most important moments on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Also coming from cyclo-cross, he too is an excellent bike handler, but he&#8217;s also in great shape, having just won the NXT Classic and been one of Van der Poel&#8217;s final helpers at E3 Saxo Classic, before he attacked away in the final 60km.<\/p>\n<p>Before Vermeersch and Philipsen really come into play, Politt and Del Grosso could well prove to be the key to who enters the most important sectors in first position, and therefore decide who gets to exert the pressure when they want to.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-mikkel-bjerg-vs-silvan-dillier\"><span>Mikkel Bjerg vs Silvan Dillier<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5662f13-8723-41f3-bd2c-87768395c91d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gR7WHM4uoKiQbmJpgZwrg3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see former Paris-Roubaix runner-up Silvain Dillier on the front on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-309a6dbf-1fa5-4562-acc6-3508d92b809b\">Every team needs someone to control the breakaway, and at Paris-Roubaix, that can be more essential than ever. Such is the chaos and carnage of the cobbles, top riders and rivals can always slip into early moves, and once you get ahead, it&#8217;s far from simple to just chase big groups down.<\/p>\n<p>Dillier and Bjerg have both proved their worth in the Monuments so far, with the Swiss rider doing almost 200km on his own at the front of Milan-San Remo, and Bjerg doing that controlling job at Flanders.<\/p>\n<p>With the playing field equalised by the flatter parcours, expect both men to do a serious job on the front, depending on how strong the breakaway that gets away, if one indeed does, is.<\/p>\n<p>Bjerg has also been among the strongest riders in a Monument himself before, finishing in the top five of Flanders before, but it&#8217;s Dillier who has the Roubaix experience, taking second in memorable fashion behind only Peter Sagan in 2018 after a day in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Expect to see an awful lot of the Danish UAE rider and the bands of the former Swiss national champion on the front on Sunday. Their importance can not be downplayed.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-morgado-vs-edward-planckaert\"><span>Antonio Morgado vs Edward Planckaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-99e65bf8-9dec-410e-afc2-9332c4e74124\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HQ3Bb9SAQuk8PkdQdmpkfD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Planckaert is one of Van der Poel&#8217;s right-hand men at Alpecin <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7709090d-bd6a-4ea9-adc6-f74d56bf912f\">Antonio Morgado and Edward Planckaert represent another matchup of youthful talent vs experience, with the 22-year-old racing for UAE and the 31-year-old backing up Van der Poel, as he has at the last two editions of Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Morgado has big things expected of his future, but his punchy characteristics suit races such as the Tour of Flanders better than the flatter Roubaix. For this reason, expect him to play an earlier role in the UAE train for Poga\u010dar, but he&#8217;s got the potential to be another top performer.<\/p>\n<p>Plackaert has played multiple different roles during his time supporting Van der Poel, sometimes helping to chase down breaks, bringing the Dutchman back from any issues, but recently he played a notable role at the E3 Saxo Classics by getting in the early break.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel attacked across to him with Tim van Dijke, before using a small pull from Planckaert to launch the solo move, which ultimately resulted in victory. If an Alpecin rider tries to get into the early moves, expect it to be one of Planckaert or Dillier, and this could prove invaluable in the latter stages and the fight against Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-sebastian-molano-vs-florian-senechal\"><span>Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano vs Florian S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2025c9ee-0423-4c56-a1c0-d3b0da3a0883\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LJvdacXZDnkZKRVukejfxH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">This Sunday will bring Senechal&#8217;s 11th start at Paris-Roubaix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1fd24903-8065-40b5-b657-017014ccf02c\">Meaning no disrespect, UAE&#8217;s sprint backup for Roubaix isn&#8217;t quite on the calibre of a Philipsen, with Juan Sebasti\u00e1n Molano being a more than capable sprinter but no world-beater like the Belgian.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s taken up a spot with UAE struggling due to injury, but has played a domestique on several occasions for the Slovenian in stage races before, so he is definitely able to use his engine over flat roads to the World Champion&#8217;s benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin have a second fast man among their ranks for Sunday in the form of Florian Sen\u00e9chal, who may lack the experience of racing with Van der Poel and Philipsen, as a near signing for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>But he knows exactly how to take on Paris-Roubaix, having raced the cobbled Monument 10 times already in his career, with a top result of sixth in 2019, and it&#8217;s this king of Roubaix expertise that could prove vital in a tough moment for his leaders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-rui-oliveira-vs-jonas-rickaert\"><span>Rui Oliveira vs Jonas Rickaert<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7e2626f7-428d-4592-bebb-64135138f1c4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aRGunEPVieBediUVezNkiV-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Rui Oliveira and Juan Sebastian Molano at the Ronde van Brugge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-15ac42dc-e957-47a3-8e69-a3c016c437ae\">Jonas Rickaert has long played a big part in the successes of Van der Poel and Philipsen at Alpecin, often as a lead-out man but primarily as a long-term domestique, who has almost become part of the furniture at the Belgian team since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday will be his sixth Paris-Roubaix appearance, and while they would both love for him to do a big lead-out onto the velodrome, he&#8217;s more likely to play a smaller role in the early phases.<\/p>\n<p>The same is true of UAE&#8217;s Oliveira, who is taking on his third Roubaix. He&#8217;ll be hoping to not get crashed at the start line as he was at the Tour of Flanders, but will play a similar role in the early hours of racing out of Compi\u00e8gne, guiding Poga\u010dar and his key helpers to the vital sectors.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-the-other-top-teams\"><span>The other top teams:<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a05bd8b6-b808-4d7d-9c6e-df9ee7fd53e9\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BHnKTj2e57cyYA9X2VAgKd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert and Laporte at the finish of In Flanders Fields <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d7febed9-2780-43d8-b1f6-601da89b1480\">Overall, Alpecin likely have a deeper level of talent and experience across their squad for Sunday, but Poga\u010dar himself may swing the balance to UAE&#8217;s side on his own. Either way, they aren&#8217;t the only teams starting with seven elite riders for Sunday, and the next big rivals bubbling just under will also have ample support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visma-Lease a Bike<\/strong> are led by their talisman <strong>Wout van Aert<\/strong>, who is continuing to chase victory at a Monument for the first time since 2020. He responded well to Poga\u010dar initially in Flanders, but was ultimately a level below the winner, Van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been three years since a puncture on the Carrefour de l&#8217;Arbre ruined his best chance at Roubaix glory, but with the flatter parcours, the gap from him to the two big favourites should be smaller.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps with a bit of luck and alongside an arguably stronger overall Visma squad that also features Christophe Laporte, Per Strand Hagenes and Matthew Brennan, they can use their numeric advantage to finally bring it home for the Belgian in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ineos Grenadiers <\/strong>have the next top favourite with <strong>Filippo Ganna<\/strong>, who will be hoping desperately for better luck than in the 2025 race. They&#8217;ll mostly rely on the Italian for a result, but the likes of Josh Tarling and Ben Turner could prove vital in them challenging UAE and Alpecin.<\/p>\n<p>Two-time podium finisher <strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is leading a squad of big men for <strong>Lidl-Trek<\/strong> on Sunday, with sprint option Jonathan Milan, Mathias Vacek and Max Walscheid all representing possible top 10 finishers as well.<\/p>\n<p>A puncture also ruined Pedersen&#8217;s race in the final 70km last season, but after his miraculous comeback from a crash at Milan-San Remo last month, the Dane&#8217;s form could well be rising just in time for the big appointment. He&#8217;s yet to win a Monument, but Sunday could see the powerful Lidl-Trek outfit guide Pedersen to the Velodrome, where if he&#8217;s able to sprint for the win, it would be hard to bet against him, even in the face of Poga\u010dar or Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-adf71c63-8142-4eb8-9820-a858631e9fcd\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/paris-roubaix-brings-tadej-pogacar-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel-round-three-in-2026-but-who-has-the-better-supporting-cast-for-the-hellish-pave-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DFD27epbgCN4Rkw6bzdbBa-2560-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling Teams &amp; Riders Paris-Roubaix brings Tadej Poga\u010dar vs Mathieu van der Poel round three in 2026, but who has the better supporting cast for the hellish pav\u00e9? \u2013 Analysis Features By James Moultrie published 11 April 2026 Comparing UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s riders head-to-head for The Hell of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1877283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1877283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1877283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1877283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1877283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1877283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1877283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}