Will Tadej Pogačar take on Paris-Roubaix this year? The race remains one of the two Monuments he has yet to win, alongside Milano-Sanremo, which he will attempt next month.
Mathieu van der Poel has dominated Paris-Roubaix in recent years, securing back-to-back victories in record time. However, Pogačar has already demonstrated his prowess on cobbled terrain, famously defeating Van der Poel at the 2023 Tour of Flanders.
Cycling analyst Thijs Zonneveld, speaking on the ‘In het Wiel’ podcast, pointed out a key difference between Pogačar and traditional Roubaix contenders his weight. “How much lighter is he compared to favorites like Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Stefan Küng? About ten kilograms less than Van der Poel, and even more compared to the others.”
Despite this, Zonneveld believes Pogačar’s skill set could still make him a serious contender. “He’s technically strong, positions himself well, and thrives in long, grueling races. Plus, for a lighter rider, his absolute power is incredibly high.”
There are growing signs that Pogačar may be targeting the race. “If I were Van der Poel or Van Aert, I wouldn’t let him get even ten meters ahead,” Zonneveld warned. Jasper Philipsen also fueled speculation, questioning why Pogačar would recon the notorious Arenberg Forest sector if he didn’t plan to race.
Zonneveld initially doubted Pogačar would enter Paris-Roubaix this year but changed his mind after seeing his reconnaissance and his team’s reaction. When asked about it before the UAE Tour, Pogačar gave a cryptic response neither confirming nor denying his participation.
Ultimately, he could be engaging in mind games. “This is psychological warfare. He’s keeping everyone guessing, and he’s doing a great job of it. People across Europe are debating it will he race? Could he actually win?”
If Pogačar lines up at the start, will he emerge as the favorite? Or will Van der Poel complete the three-peat? The suspense continues to build.
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