Alpecin-Deceuninck have dominated the earlier two editions of Paris-Roubaix, having locked out the highest two positions on the rostrum on the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux.
On each events, Mathieu van der Poel secured the win with a long-range solo transfer whereas teammate Jasper Philipsen sprinted residence to take second place. This time round, the pair head into the race nursing sickness and damage, although each riders stated on Friday that they hope to be at full health for Sunday’s race.
Van der Poel has been preventing again from a chilly he caught after Milan-San Remo, which lingered by means of the Tour of Flanders, whereas Philipsen hasn’t been at full energy since a late crash at Nokere Koerse.
“Racing E3 Harelbeke made issues worse,” Van der Poel stated of his sickness. “By Monday, I felt actually beneath the climate. I ended up on antibiotics, and through Flanders, I nonetheless wasn’t at 100%, although I used to be capable of defend myself pretty nicely. Ultimately, I nonetheless made the rostrum.
“After the Tour of Flanders, I had a little bit of a dip once more. That is most likely not stunning: it was an enormous effort on Sunday, and I nonetheless wasn’t totally recovered. However now it is Friday, and I am feeling significantly better. I believe I am moderately OK to try to defend my title on Sunday.”
Philipsen, in the meantime, stated that he suffered from “minor whiplash, some muscle soreness, and occasional complications” in his crash. He is since raced at Milan-San Remo and 4 Belgian Classics, together with Scheldeprijs on Wednesday, the place he completed second to construct confidence forward of Roubaix.
“The crash continues to be lingering a bit,” he stated. “It is nothing unmanageable, and I am getting remedy, so it is no excuse. However I am not utterly comfy but.
“In Gent-Wevelgem and Scheldeprijs, I used to be capable of regain some confidence. In any case, I’ve labored exhausting to be prepared. Hopefully, that effort shall be rewarded on Sunday.”
Van der Poel has been within the wars himself, having been caught up in a crash on the Tour of Flanders final week earlier than battling on to complete second behind Tadej Pogačar.
He is since recovered from any stiffness ensuing from that fall and now heads again to Roubaix to go back-to-back-to-back, a feat not seen since Francesco Moser did the identical 45 years in the past.
“I begin each race to win, and this 12 months isn’t any totally different,” Van der Poel stated. “After all, that is simpler stated than completed, however that is the mindset I carry to the beginning.
“And if I am not at my very best, we’ll do all the things we are able to to maintain the victory inside the group. Jasper Philipsen has proven over the previous two years that he is greater than able to profitable this race, too.”
Philipsen, who beat Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen within the sprints for second previously two years, stated that ending second behind his teammate for a 3rd time would “really feel like a victory”.
The Belgian, who received Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne earlier this spring, stated he enjoys the type of racing at Roubaix. He contrasted the flat cobbles with the quick, sharp hills of Flanders and stated Alpecin-Deceuninck “really feel at residence” at Paris-Roubaix.
“It isn’t just like the Tour of Flanders, the place the hills maintain coming. It is extra about positioning and surviving the cobbles; that is the form of racing I like. I actually benefit from the rattle and rhythm of the pavé,” stated Philipsen.
“As a group, we really feel at residence within the Hell of the North. We’re lining up with a robust group: all guys who know their manner throughout the cobbles, with the expertise and toughness it takes. If we are able to keep away from dangerous luck and experience our race, there is not any purpose we won’t purpose for one more sturdy end result.”
Van der Poel famous that the remainder of the group – Silvan Dillier, Edward Planckaert, Jonas Rickaert, Oscar Riesebeek, and Gianni Vermeersch – all head into this 12 months’s race already boasting expertise of being a part of a profitable group at Roubaix.
The seven-man lineup has 26 begins amongst them, with 2018 runner-up Dillier probably the most skilled Roubaix racer with seven begins.
“We have got actually a robust lineup. 5 of the six teammates from Sunday have been additionally a part of our success final 12 months. The sixth, Jonas Rickaert, was a part of the squad in 2023. That shared expertise actually counts in a race like this,” Van der Poel stated earlier than happening to fee his main opponents for fulfillment on Sunday.
“It is possibly more durable to foretell than common. Pogačar is at all times a serious contender. However in Flanders, we additionally noticed Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, and Jasper Stuyven acting at a really excessive stage. After which there’s Filippo Ganna. Paris-Roubaix may simply be the proper race for him.”
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