Mathieu van der Poel has revealed that he has been affected by sickness throughout this yr’s Classics however will return to Paris-Roubaix on Sunday wanting so as to add a 3rd successive victory on the race.
The Dutchman has already received Milan-San Remo and the E3 Saxo Traditional in latest weeks, however was bested by Tadej Pogačar finally weekend’s Tour of Flanders. After Pogačar attacked Van der Poel was unable to get again on phrases and was later pressured to accept third on the day behind the UAE Emirates-XRG rider and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).
Talking forward of Paris-Roubaix, the previous highway world champion revealed that he has been affected by an underlying virus throughout the previous couple of weeks of motion which he mentioned was “made worse” by racing within the chilly drizzle of Belgium at E3, which he went on to win.
He mentioned: “By Monday [three days after E3], I felt actually below the climate. I ended up on antibiotics, and through Flanders I nonetheless wasn’t at 100%, although I used to be in a position to defend myself pretty properly. In the long run, I nonetheless made the rostrum.
“After the Tour of Flanders, I had a little bit of a dip once more however that is in all probability not shocking: it was a giant effort on Sunday, and I nonetheless wasn’t absolutely recovered. However now it is Friday, and I am feeling significantly better. I feel I am moderately okay to attempt to defend my title on Sunday.”
Regardless of being below the climate, Van der Poel made clear that his latest sickness won’t be an excuse on Sunday and defined that Alpecin-Deceuninck’s power in depth means they go into Roubaix as one of many favourites for the win alongside Hell of the North debutant, Pogačar.
“I begin each race to win, and this yr is not any completely different,” he mentioned. “After all, that is simpler mentioned than achieved, however that is the mindset I deliver to the beginning. And if I am not at my best possible, we’ll do every part we will to maintain the victory inside the staff. Jasper Philipsen has proven over the previous two years that he’s greater than able to profitable this race too.”
Van der Poel received final yr’s version by nearly three minutes after attacking on the Orchies cobbled sector after a late assault noticed him distance Wout van Aert 12 months beforehand. Jasper Philipsen has completed second to his teammate on each events.
A lot of the pre-race noise has inevitably centred on Pogačar, though Van der Poel warned that a number of groups might play an element within the battle for victory, together with Lidl-Trek.
“It is perhaps more durable to foretell than ordinary,” he mentioned. “Pogačar is all the time a significant contender. However in Flanders, we additionally noticed Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, and Jasper Stuyven acting at a really excessive degree. After which there’s [Filippo] Ganna. Paris-Roubaix may simply be the right race for him.”
