Un Belge attend avec impatience la bataille entre les stars du cyclisme moderne, mais critique aussi la préparation de son compatriote Wout van Aert. « On se laisse emporter uniquement par l’élan », a déclaré l’ancien vainqueur de Roubaix à Eurosport, soulignant à quel point l’Enfer du Nord est unique… Belgian is looking forward to the battle between the top stars of modern cycling, but he’s also critical of fellow countryman Wout van Aert’s preparation. “You get carried along purely by momentum,” the former Roubaix winner told Eurosport, explaining just how unique the Hell of the North really is… read more 

Un Belge attend avec impatience la bataille entre les stars du cyclisme moderne, mais critique aussi la préparation de son compatriote Wout van Aert. « On se laisse emporter uniquement par l’élan », a déclaré l’ancien vainqueur de Roubaix à Eurosport, soulignant à quel point l’Enfer du Nord est unique…

Belgian is looking forward to the battle between the top stars of modern cycling, but he’s also critical of fellow countryman Wout van Aert’s preparation. “You get carried along purely by momentum,” the former Roubaix winner told Eurosport, explaining just how unique the Hell of the North really is… read more

 

As the cycling world gears up for one of the most grueling and iconic races on the calendar, a former Belgian champion and Paris-Roubaix winner is casting both admiration and concern on the upcoming showdown. Speaking to Eurosport, the seasoned veteran shared his excitement for what promises to be a historic edition of the Hell of the North, while also voicing criticism over Wout van Aert’s approach to the race.

 

“I’m looking forward to the battle between the top stars of modern cycling,” the ex-pro told Eurosport, pointing to the thrilling form and fierce rivalry between names like Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and even Mads Pedersen. “It’s not often we get to see this level of talent clash on a course as brutal and unique as Roubaix.”

 

But the excitement was tempered with concern when talk turned to fellow Belgian Wout van Aert. A key figure in the classics season and a perennial contender in Roubaix, van Aert’s preparation this year has raised eyebrows. Having crashed out of Dwars door Vlaanderen just over a week ago with injuries that sidelined him from the Tour of Flanders, his sudden return to racing for Roubaix has left some skeptical — including the Belgian legend himself.

 

“You get carried along purely by momentum in Roubaix,” he said. “It’s not a race where you can fake form or rely on reputation. You have to be 100% ready — physically and mentally — or the pavé will eat you alive.”

 

The concern isn’t unfounded. Paris-Roubaix is notorious for its punishing cobblestone sectors, unpredictable weather, and brutal pacing. It’s a race where fortune and form collide, often in dramatic ways. Van Aert, who has long chased a victory in this historic event, has yet to stand on the top step in Roubaix despite coming close in past editions. With injuries still fresh and race rhythm disrupted, the odds may be stacked against him.

 

The former winner emphasized just how distinct Roubaix is from any other race on the calendar. “You can train all you want, but Roubaix is a different animal. You need race hardness, experience, and above all, the ability to suffer in ways that most other races don’t demand.”

 

Still, the Belgian cycling icon admits that if anyone can surprise, it’s van Aert. “He’s got the heart of a warrior. If he starts, he’ll give everything. But I just hope he hasn’t rushed it. Sometimes courage isn’t enough.”

 

As fans await Sunday’s spectacle, the stakes have never felt higher. With a stacked field and unpredictable conditions ahead, all eyes will be on the sector of Carrefour de l’Arbre and the legendary Roubaix Velodrome finish. Whether van Aert can defy the odds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Hell of the North will once again test the very limits of modern cycling’s elite.