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2024-04-07T15:14:24.474Z
Another record to fall: by finishing the 259.7km course in 5-25-58, Van der Poel has ridden the quickest Paris-Roubaix in history.
2024-04-07T15:10:59.136Z
Congratulations are also in order for Mads Pedersen. Third-place is his career-high finish at Paris-Roubaix for him, and some comeback from the crash at E3 Saxo Bank Classic that threatened to end his spring. His longed-for monument continues to elude him, but it’s hard to know what else he could have done today.
2024-04-07T15:07:52.817Z
Van der Poel takes the headlines of course, but Jasper Philipsen also deserves praise for another result in what has been an exceptional spring. He’s now won Milan-Sanremo and Brugge-De Panne, and made the podium at Paris-Roubaix and Scheldeprijs. We often talk about a Big 6 in the current peloton – maybe we should update that to a Big 7 including him?
2024-04-07T15:04:56.467Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T15:04:42.724Z
All sorts of history being made by Van der Poel. That’s his sixth career monument victory, putting him inside the top sixteen riders of all time, and joining only Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Johan Museeuw to do so in the 21st century. And he did so wearing the rainbow jersey, something only half a dozen riders have done before.
2024-04-07T15:01:13.612Z
Søren Wærenskjold rounded off the top ten by finishing just behind Meeus in the sprint.
2024-04-07T14:59:20.536Z
As for the winning margin, it ended up being exactly three minutes – the biggest for 22 years.
2024-04-07T14:58:47.799Z
Tim Van Dijke attacks from a group behind to take eighth, and Jordi Meeus wins the sprint for ninth.
2024-04-07T14:57:18.474Z
Now Vermeersch outsprints Pithie to take sixth, the New Zealander settling for seventh.
2024-04-07T14:56:52.669Z
Küng solos close behind four fifth.
2024-04-07T14:56:33.473Z
Philipsen comes past him for second, and Pedersen takes third.
2024-04-07T14:56:14.213Z
Politt goes early.
2024-04-07T14:56:06.844Z
Pedersen still leads with Philipsen on his wheel.
2024-04-07T14:55:21.457Z
Pedersen leads them as they enter the velodrome.
2024-04-07T14:54:36.665Z
Now we wait for Pedersen, Philipsen and Politt.
2024-04-07T14:53:39.494Z
He didn’t really let up his pace in the velodrome either, so his winning margin is indeed going to be massive.
2024-04-07T14:53:17.428Z
Mathieu van der Poel wins Paris-Roubaix!
2024-04-07T14:52:10.152Z
Here he comes into the velodrome.
2024-04-07T14:50:46.687Z
Just 2km left now for Van der Poel.
2024-04-07T14:48:49.107Z
Van der Poel’s starting to relax and celebrate now. He shares a fist bump with his team car.
2024-04-07T14:47:42.262Z
Küng was properly distanced by the earlier Philipsen attack, and is now 25 seconds behind – surely too much time to recover now.
2024-04-07T14:46:39.569Z
There will be plenty of tension in the group behind, however. Three doesn’t go into two, and therefore one rider will be left disappointed and missing out on the two remaining podium spots behind Van der Poel.
2024-04-07T14:45:30.592Z
He’s through sector 2 without any problems. It should be a nice, worry-free ride to the finish now for the Dutchman.
2024-04-07T14:44:53.547Z
He also could better Tadej Pogačar’s winning margin from his similarly astonishing ride to win Strade Bianche this year. On that occasion, the final margin was 2-44.
2024-04-07T14:43:00.174Z
His lead has stopped rising for the time being, holding at about 2-50. It’s still a startling advantage though, much bigger even than the 1-02 he won the Tour of Flanders by.
2024-04-07T14:40:50.283Z
10KM TO GO
2024-04-07T14:39:38.093Z
Pedersen and Politt are just about able to catch up to him, but Küng has been dropped.
2024-04-07T14:38:58.687Z
Philipsen has attacked on the much more benign sector 3 that follows Carrefour de l’Arbre.
2024-04-07T14:37:59.898Z
Philipsen’s attacking!
2024-04-07T14:37:46.546Z
No attacks from anyone in the chase group, while Vermeersch and Pithie have dropped a bit further away, now to almost 30 seconds. They seem unlikely to catch them now.
2024-04-07T14:35:24.261Z
20 seconds behind these are Pithie and Vermeersch. They’ll want to use this sector to try to bridge up to them.
2024-04-07T14:34:35.981Z
As Van der Poel finishes the sector unscathed, the chase group enters it. This is the big chance for those who don’t fancy their sprint to try attacking and get away – watch out for Stefan Küng.
2024-04-07T14:30:57.541Z
Van der Poel begins Carrefour de l’Arbre with his lead up yet more to 2-46. Even if he does puncture (like his rival Van Aert did last year), he’d still probably win at a canter.
2024-04-07T14:28:41.951Z
Remarkably, Vermeersch has bridged up to Pithie. The pair are 25 seconds behind the Pedersen group.
2024-04-07T14:28:11.489Z
As for the race for the podium spots, Politt, Pedersen and Küng will be desperate to drop Philipsen on one of the upcoming pavé sectors, as he will surely have the beating of them in a sprint, especially after so many kilometres of rest.
2024-04-07T14:26:24.988Z
20KM TO GO
2024-04-07T14:25:19.956Z
Pithie has the Pedersen group in sight as they ride sector 6, but still has some ground to make up. He’s making a good fist of it.
2024-04-07T14:24:01.246Z
Gianni Vermeersch still isn’t done today, and has attacked out of the second chase group. After all his work earlier you’d have thought he’d be out of energy, but clearly not.
2024-04-07T14:22:18.652Z
Pithie is still fighting to get back into the group ahead, rather than sit up and wait for the group behind. It’s some effort, and will be very impressive if he can make it.
2024-04-07T14:21:26.706Z
Van der Poel earlier in the race (Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T14:18:34.852Z
At this rate, he will manage the biggest winning margin since 2002, when Johan Museeuw won by an even more enormous 3-04.
2024-04-07T14:17:15.363Z
Back up ahead, Van der Poel’s lead has plateaued. It’s stayed hovering at just over two minutes for a while now.
2024-04-07T14:16:24.788Z
Incidentally, the group behind Pithie has many surprise packages. In full it features: Tim Van Dijke, Yevgeniy Fedorov, Dries Van Gestel, Madis Mihkels and Søren Wærenskjold, alongside more predictable names like John Degenkolb, Gianni Vermeesch, Jordi Meeus, Fred Wright, Tim Wellens and Tom Pidcock.
2024-04-07T14:13:50.983Z
Until now he had been the best performing outside name at this year’s race. He’s back on his bike, and will try to rejoin rather than drop into the group behind.
2024-04-07T14:13:10.633Z
Crash for Pithie. He lost his front wheel going around a corner onto the cobbles.
2024-04-07T14:11:46.575Z
As for the race for the podium spots, it’s still looking good for the Philipsen/Pedersen/Küng/Politt/Pithie group. They are 30 seconds ahead of the next chase group.
2024-04-07T14:09:41.070Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T14:09:22.508Z
He’s been out alone for almost 30km, and yet still has 8 sectors to complete. He’s on that sector 8 now, and looks smooth as ever, not having any problems or appearing to tire.
2024-04-07T14:07:25.604Z
For context, when Dylan van Baarle pulled-off his huge win in 2022, the winning margin was 1-47. And that was the biggest for 12 years when, Fabian Cancellara won by exactly 2 minutes. This could be the biggest Paris-Roubaix victory for many years.
2024-04-07T14:06:00.127Z
Van der Poel’s finished with sector 9, and his lead is still getting bigger and bigger. It’s now 2 minutes.
2024-04-07T14:05:14.697Z
Pidcock overshoots a corner on sector 9, but stays upright. He’s a little adrift from the chase group he was in, though.
2024-04-07T14:01:34.366Z
40KM TO GO
2024-04-07T14:00:23.982Z
Pedersen, Küng, Pithie, Politt and Philipsen are 15 seconds ahead of the rest of the chasers. This is shaping up to be a repeat of last year, with Philipsen again well-poised to take second place riding as a passenger.
2024-04-07T13:57:39.405Z
Van der Poel earlier in the race, back when he still had company (Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T13:56:57.564Z
Now Van der Poel enters sector 10, his lead up to 1-38.
2024-04-07T13:56:40.174Z
They’ve got a sizable advantage, too. Philipsen is there, but they will be relieved to at last have got rid of Vermeersch.
2024-04-07T13:55:48.825Z
Politt’s acceleration has forced a selection in the chase group. With him is Pedersen, Philipsen, Kung and Pithie.
2024-04-07T13:55:09.676Z
Van der Poel has finished Mons-en-Pévèle, and his lead has grown yet more to a whopping 1-30. We’ve said it many times already this spring, but once again, we’re witnessing something very special.
2024-04-07T13:53:05.379Z
Nils Politt has accelerated on this sector, but again has an Alpecin rider on his wheel, this time Philipsen. Pedersen is also there.
2024-04-07T13:49:39.469Z
And if he’s going to puncture anywhere, it could be the sector he’s entering now – sector 11, the famous Mons-en-Pévèle.
2024-04-07T13:48:49.177Z
That said, Paris-Roubaix isn’t like most other races, in that more things can go wrong. Van der Poel might be ahead by miles for now, but will have to stay focussed so as not to crash, and lucky so as not to puncture.
2024-04-07T13:47:44.115Z
50KM TO GO
2024-04-07T13:46:57.834Z
Those three exit the sector with a gap of a few seconds over the rest, but a frustrated Pedersen won’t press on with the Alpecin riders following him.
2024-04-07T13:45:07.401Z
Pedersen accelerates again, but Vermeersch remains glued to his wheel, with Philipsen on his.
2024-04-07T13:43:44.940Z
28 seconds now for Van der Poel. He’s disappearing up the road.
2024-04-07T13:42:11.172Z
Pedersen leads onto sector 12. He’ll really want to go clear and take just a few riders with him, and start a proper organised chase of Van der Poel – but to do that, he’ll need to drop the Alpecin riders.
2024-04-07T13:41:18.117Z
There’s no organisation in the chase. They’re all attacking each other, then slowing down and looking at each other. Already Van der Poel’s lead is 18 seconds.
2024-04-07T13:40:07.683Z
Now Politt tries, and yet again Vermeersch follows. He’s ridden superbly today in aid of his leader.
2024-04-07T13:39:26.953Z
Pedersen is trying to attack out of the chase group, but if closed down by Vermeersch. This is of course another big problem for the other riders – the presence of Van der Poel’s teammates with them.
2024-04-07T13:38:21.554Z
8 seconds for Van der Poel. That’s far from insurmountable, but we know by now that this stands a very good chance of being the race-winning move. The following sectors, which are especially nasty, will be key.
2024-04-07T13:36:47.479Z
Meanwhile Cedric Beullens crashed in the lead group going around a corner.
2024-04-07T13:35:47.793Z
Pedersen is leading the chase behind, but it’s already quite distant.
He made his move at the start of sector 13, and is building a lead.
2024-04-07T13:33:59.701Z
60KM TO GO
2024-04-07T13:33:47.773Z
The pace has slackened for now. It’s the calm before the storm, before we hit the really hard cobbles soone – the 5-star Mons-en-Pévèle is only 2 sectors away.
2024-04-07T13:28:46.609Z
They finish that sector with no casualties.
2024-04-07T13:26:43.207Z
Now they enter sector 14, Beuvry-la-Fôret à Orchies
2024-04-07T13:26:11.414Z
Some of the names in this group: Van der Poel, Philipsen, Pedersen, Van Dijke, Pidocock, Degenkolb, Fedorov, Vermeersch, Wright, Meeus, Pithie, Hagenes, Politt, Wellens
2024-04-07T13:23:58.846Z
They’re all back together, and there are about 20 riders present.
2024-04-07T13:23:34.809Z
Pithie, Van Dijke and Vermeersch follow Wellens, before Pedersen drags everyone back.
2024-04-07T13:22:53.795Z
Tim Wellens attacks almost immediatley after the catch is made. UAE Team Emirates clearly believe agressive tactics is the best way to go today.
2024-04-07T13:21:34.869Z
They complete sector 15, and shortly after the catch is made. That was a big effort from Politt and Kung, and they may end up paying for it later.
2024-04-07T13:20:32.887Z
70KM TO GO
2024-04-07T13:18:25.321Z
Pedersen is now leading the group himself, and the gap is plummiting.
2024-04-07T13:17:57.616Z
Crash for Van Dijke as the turn a corner on the cobbles, but he’s up immediatley and back on his bike.
2024-04-07T13:17:24.360Z
2024-04-07T13:17:17.012Z
A reminder that most of the favourites are present in this group, including Van der Poel, Philipsen, Pedersen and Pidcock.
2024-04-07T13:15:54.059Z
Vacek is still leading the group of favourites, and is making inroads now. The gap is down to 20 seconds.
2024-04-07T13:13:34.656Z
The leaders are on sector 16. They’re lead is 30 seconds. Küng and Politt are committed, and are in the rare position of being ahead of Van der Poel in a race – albeit with one of his teammates glued to their wheel.
2024-04-07T13:11:57.348Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T13:09:27.361Z
Problem for Bissegger, who’s out the back of the group, presumably due to some kind of mechanical.
2024-04-07T13:08:31.526Z
Lidl’s Vacek takes over for the remaininder of the sector. They finish it with the gap at 30 seconds.
2024-04-07T13:07:21.244Z
Now Pidcock’s moved to the front and upped the pace. He’s doing a great ride for someone who only decided to ride at the last minute.
2024-04-07T13:06:51.341Z
80KM TO GO
2024-04-07T13:05:46.378Z
Lidl-Trek are leading the group. The onus is off Van der Poel and Alpecin, as Vermeersch is up the road.
2024-04-07T13:04:32.916Z
Time for sector 17 now, the 4-star Hornaing à Wandignies.
2024-04-07T13:01:52.473Z
For all the carnage of the previous kilometres, this is a large group that has come together behind the three leaders. There are over 20 riders here.
2024-04-07T13:01:08.071Z
The Pedersen group has bridged up to the Van der Poel group.
2024-04-07T13:00:26.190Z
In summary: Vermeersch, Politt and Kung lead the race, 20 seconds behind are another 8 riders inclding Van der Poel and Philipsen, and another 6 seconds behind is a larger group contraining Pedersen.
2024-04-07T12:59:20.739Z
Pedersen has had his bike change, and is now in the group behind the Van der Poel group, about 20 seconds behind.
2024-04-07T12:58:55.689Z
Vermeersch might be in the lead group, but Van der Poel is doing the work to bring it back.
2024-04-07T12:58:36.093Z
Yet another puncture for a rider in the group of favuorites, this time for Wellens.
2024-04-07T12:58:00.335Z
Vermeersch, Kung and Politt have attacked out the front, and have a decent gap.
2024-04-07T12:56:52.529Z
Another puncture now for Meeus.
2024-04-07T12:56:41.003Z
Pedersen goes backwards just as Philipsen is making his way to the front group.
2024-04-07T12:56:18.188Z
Puncture for Pedersen
2024-04-07T12:54:19.506Z
2024-04-07T12:53:40.788Z
Meanwhile Philipsen has now stopped to get his change, and will now have to chase back on.
2024-04-07T12:53:02.496Z
They’ve now caught the four leaders.
2024-04-07T12:52:48.401Z
With Kung in the chase grop is Pidcock, Politt, Pithie, Jacobs, Bissegger, Meeus and Wærenskjold.
2024-04-07T12:51:34.167Z
Puncture for Philipsen. He’s hanging onto the group for now, but will need to stop whenever an oppertuntity arises.
2024-04-07T12:50:59.507Z
Kung is the rider leading the chase in that group behind.
2024-04-07T12:50:17.376Z
Behind the four leaders is a group of about 10 riders in pursuit.
2024-04-07T12:49:50.884Z
Degenkolb needs a wheel change as he exists the forest in one of the chase groups.
2024-04-07T12:49:12.733Z
Van der Poel reaches the end of the forest, then Philpsen, Pedersen and Van Dijk a second behind, then another group several seconds behind.
2024-04-07T12:48:34.058Z
He, Philipsen, Pedersen and Van Dijk have gone clear.
2024-04-07T12:47:33.257Z
Now Van der Poel moves to the front.
2024-04-07T12:47:20.941Z
Pucture for Tim Van Dijk, but his brother Mick is flying, up there with Van der Poel, Philipsen and Pedersen.
2024-04-07T12:46:39.536Z
Philipsen and Van der Poel are 2nd and 3rd in line.
2024-04-07T12:46:10.527Z
Mads Pedersen leads on the cobbles
2024-04-07T12:45:43.708Z
They’re approaching the chicane now, and Lidl-Trek are leading.
2024-04-07T12:45:26.920Z
Whatever happens at the chicane, the Forest itself will still be crucial. Everybody will be praying they don’t have a puncture here, and we’ll get some idea of who the strongest riders are.
2024-04-07T12:41:24.317Z
Whatever happens at the chicane, the Forest itself will still be crucial. Everybody will be praying they don’t have a puncture here, and we’ll get some idea of who the strongest riders are.
2024-04-07T12:40:08.449Z
Now, next up is the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the Arenberg Forest. So much has been made of the change to the approach, and the new chicane introduced to try and slow the pace down on the deadly cobbles to a slower, safer pace. But given the size of the peloton, which is much smaller than usual at this stage, it may not be anywhere near as big an issue as believed.
2024-04-07T12:36:52.891Z
Alpecin are also a man down after Kielich had a problem going into the sector.
2024-04-07T12:36:24.274Z
For once it’s not Alpecin leading on the cobbles, but instead Mathias Vacek for Lidl-Trek.
2024-04-07T12:35:21.230Z
They’re on the sector now, and the approach wasn’t quite as hectic as it might have been, what with the reduced size of the peloton.
2024-04-07T12:34:42.847Z
We’re now approaching sector 20, which has been described as potentially one of the new most important parts of the race, following the change to the Arneberg Forest.
2024-04-07T12:27:28.254Z
110KM TO GO
2024-04-07T12:21:40.899Z
Now Politt has got his bike change and is chasing back up. It seems there was a problem with his seat.
2024-04-07T12:20:56.337Z
Politt is still in the lead group despite his earlier problem, but is also still looking for assistence from his team to fix it.
2024-04-07T12:18:16.570Z
Puncture for Dries Van Gestel, who had made it into the lead group.
2024-04-07T12:15:29.337Z
Timo Kielich, Edward Planckaert and Gianni Vermeersch are the three Alpecin riders doing the work for Van der Poel and Philipsen.
2024-04-07T12:14:10.211Z
120KM TO GO
2024-04-07T12:12:55.526Z
Despite trying to continue, it’s been announced that Rex has retired. He’s really been threw the wars today.
2024-04-07T12:12:14.094Z
A puncture for Politt on the cobbles
2024-04-07T12:11:32.898Z
The leaders are on sector 3, a relatively straightforward one.
2024-04-07T12:10:52.780Z
Per Strand Hagenes, Tim van Dijke and Mick van Dijke are the three Visma riders.
2024-04-07T12:10:01.268Z
Tom Pidcock is also present, but finding the pace tough, as he indicates to the TV camera.
2024-04-07T12:09:16.491Z
Despite their problems, Visma-Lease a Bike have managed to get three riders in this lead group. They’re amassed towards the front of the group, just behind the 5 Alpecins.
2024-04-07T12:08:13.546Z
Theuns has made his way back into the lead group after hid puncture earlier.
2024-04-07T12:05:45.254Z
Tarling can’t have many complaints, though. He was seen on camera getting a very big pull from his team car.
2024-04-07T12:04:10.315Z
He looks very upset, too. After talking to the commissaires car for a little while he angrily shoes away the TV motorbike.
2024-04-07T12:02:26.938Z
Bad news for Josh Taring, who has been disqualified for the race. He was caught taking too much of a sticky bottle from a team car.
2024-04-07T12:01:41.210Z
Puncture for Ed Theuns, one of Pedersen’s most important Lidl-Trek teammates.
2024-04-07T11:59:59.853Z
Sector 24 now, and it’s still Alpecin leading the group.
2024-04-07T11:59:20.781Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T11:57:37.463Z
Most of the favourites are in the peloton though, including Pedersen and Stefan Küng.
2024-04-07T11:55:32.254Z
There must only be about 40 riders in the peloton now.
2024-04-07T11:54:43.495Z
One rider also caught out in the Laporte group a minute back is Oier Lazkano, one of the long shots for victory today.
2024-04-07T11:53:56.534Z
There are four Alpecin riders at the front with Van der Poel, inclding Philipsen. They’re bossing this race at the moment, leading the peloton once again on this sector.
2024-04-07T11:52:12.501Z
After a few kilometres of respite, we’re back on the cobbles for sector 25.
2024-04-07T11:51:33.688Z
Rex is back on his bike and continuing to ride, despite his two nasty falls. That’s showing a lot of guts.
2024-04-07T11:48:13.396Z
140M TO GO
2024-04-07T11:46:22.339Z
Laporte is in a group 1-15 behind the (now very reduced) peloton, who are themselves only a matter of seconds behind the original break.
2024-04-07T11:45:00.399Z
Pedersen is leading a group just 18 seconds behind. He should be able to rejoin, but will spend precious energy doing so.
2024-04-07T11:44:10.573Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T11:41:40.123Z
Mechanical for Oscar Riesbeek, who has done much of the work for Alpecin today. He can’t have had too much left in the tank anyway given how much work he’s done in this early phase of the race.
2024-04-07T11:39:10.317Z
Pedersen is leading a group just 18 seconds behind. He should be able to rejoin, but will spend precious energy doing so.
2024-04-07T11:38:01.378Z
What we’re calling the peloton is only about 30 riders strong. Alpecin are still leading it onto sector 26, with Van der Poel third in line.
2024-04-07T11:37:22.624Z
And if the cobbles aren’t enough to worry about, now the wind is having an effect too. The riders are in echelon formation on an exposed road.
2024-04-07T11:36:45.009Z
The race is in bits already! What was once the peloton is now a series of small groups. Mads Pedersen is one rider caught out in one of the groups further back.
2024-04-07T11:34:53.054Z
150KM TO GO
2024-04-07T11:34:20.000Z
Syritsa’s been caught by the peloton, and nearly fell off while he was reabsorbed as he lost his balence on the cobbles.
2024-04-07T11:33:37.846Z
We’re seeing Laporte for the first time in a while. He’s still making his way up to the peloton following that puncture earlier. He’s moving through various small groups, but still has a long way to go.
2024-04-07T11:29:29.750Z
Now the peloton are onto the same sector, about a minute behind. They’ve mostly regrouped after Wellens’ acceleration, but are drawn out into a long thin line.
2024-04-07T11:28:52.543Z
While that’s happening behind, Agreen leads the break onto the sector 27, the first 4-star sector of the day.
2024-04-07T11:27:56.499Z
And in the peloton, Tim Wellens is pushing on and setting a fierce pace – and there are splits.
2024-04-07T11:27:27.142Z
The pavé is already breaking up the lead group, with Syritsa dropped.
2024-04-07T11:26:44.354Z
Ominously, these cobbles are quite wet, too. It’s not raining today, but overnight rain between today and yesterday’s women’s race has clearly had an effect.
2024-04-07T11:25:37.503Z
They’re onto sector 28 now, Viesly à Quiévy, another 3-star one.
2024-04-07T11:22:04.800Z
160KM TO GO
2024-04-07T11:21:08.752Z
Problem also for Pierre Gautherat, who has had to stop at the side of the road.
2024-04-07T11:18:55.103Z
We have our first cobble-induced puncture of the day already. Christophe Laporte is the victim – yet more bad luck for Visma-Lease a Bike.
2024-04-07T11:17:59.076Z
Now the peloton arrives, and Alpecin lead with Van der Poel only a few wheels from the front.
2024-04-07T11:17:12.613Z
It’s not a gentle one to ease the riders into it, either. It’s one of the 3-star sectors.
2024-04-07T11:16:24.447Z
The leaders are on the cobbles.
2024-04-07T11:14:51.219Z
Things are intensifying now as the first cobbled sector approaches in just a few minutes: sector 29, Troisvilles à Inchy. Paris-Roubaix proper is about to begin!
2024-04-07T11:13:25.635Z
Asgreen isn’t the only rider to be worried about, either. Per Strand Hagenes seems like a very talented young rider, Dries De Bondt was fifth at Dwars door Vlaanderen, and Ramus Tiller tends to finish up there in the classics without the advantage of a head start getting in the breakaway gives you.
2024-04-07T11:09:54.260Z
It could be Kasper Asgreen who is prompting the peloton to keep the break on such a leash, given his status as a classics star – for Van der Poel epsecially his name raises alarm, as it was he who defeated him to win the 2021 Tour of Flanders. He has been well off his best form this spring, but a rider of his calibre still can’t be allowed such a chance.
2024-04-07T11:07:23.692Z
The riders are going at a fair lick right now. The peloton really isn’t keen to let this lead group have a singificant lead. We can expect the gap to fall quickly once we approach the first cobbled sector and the frantic vying for position begins.
2024-04-07T11:03:58.350Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T10:59:56.344Z
At long last, De Bondt and Rajović have made it. They’ve surely earned a bit of a rest before contributing to the pace-setting.
2024-04-07T10:59:09.161Z
180KM TO GO
2024-04-07T10:56:39.195Z
De Bondt and Rajović are going t be rewarded for their efforts after all. They’ve slowly closed down on the leaders, and are only a few seconds away now.
2024-04-07T10:47:33.012Z
190KM TO GO
2024-04-07T10:44:49.921Z
For now, things are very relaxed. Many riders, including Van der Poel and Pedersen, are making their way back to the peloton after taking comfort breaks.
2024-04-07T10:43:56.656Z
Still around 30km until we hit the first pavé. Paris-Roubaix is a race of two distinct parts – the first two fifths, made up of simple flat roads, and then the final three fifths, where all hell breaks loose as they take on cobbled sector after cobbled sector.
2024-04-07T10:39:31.262Z
De Bondt and Rajović are still persisting with their frustrating chase, meanwhile. They’re caught almost squarely in the middle of both groups, 40 seconds away from the leaders at 50 seconds ahead of the peloton.
2024-04-07T10:36:49.836Z
Nils Politt also had a bike change, suggesting he too might have been involved in that crash. He certainly looks OK, and isn’t sporting any visible bruises like many of the other victims.
2024-04-07T10:34:49.537Z
200KM TO GO
2024-04-07T10:31:29.932Z
A bike change for Tim Merlier, who also must have been in that crash – he’s been patched up with bandages too.
2024-04-07T10:29:02.622Z
Laurenz Rex is now receiving treatment for his wounds. He really does look hurt – given the horrors to come on the cobblestones, is he really going to be able to continue?
2024-04-07T10:24:00.904Z
More riders seen trying to ride back up to the peloton in torn jerseys, including Uno-X’s Erik Nordsæter Resell.
2024-04-07T10:21:17.195Z
210KM TO GO
2024-04-07T10:19:03.240Z
Outside contender Laurenz Rex was another to go down in that crash. He’s up and making his way back to the peloton, but was very bruised and his jersey torn.
2024-04-07T10:17:15.717Z
Elia Viviani has also been confirmed as abandoning.
2024-04-07T10:13:48.507Z
Meanwhile back up the road, things are looking good for the leading seven, who now have 50 seconds on the peloton. Rajović and De Bondt are still in between, 35 seconds behind the leaders.
2024-04-07T10:12:20.019Z
Jonas Rutsch has abandoned due to the crash. That’s a real shame for a rider who enjoyed the race of his life here in 2021 when he finished eleventh.
2024-04-07T10:11:25.760Z
The biggest name down looks like it’s Jonathan Milan. He’s up, and could be OK to continue.
2024-04-07T10:10:57.713Z
It seems nobody is too seriously hurt, but there could still be a few abandonments, with Elia Viviani still yet to get back up.
2024-04-07T10:08:57.778Z
We’ve had our first crash of the day. Lots of riders are down.
2024-04-07T10:08:21.299Z
Rajović has been joined by Dries De Bondt, who was one of several riders to attack from the peloton over the last few minutes, but the only one to succeed in getting out of it.
2024-04-07T10:05:21.889Z
Dušan Rajović has attacked out the peloton and is trying to bridge up to the leaders all by himself. It’s still only a ga of about 20 seconds, but that’s a lot for just one man against a committed group still riding hard to try to establish themselves as the day’s break.
2024-04-07T10:00:46.808Z
230KM TO GO
2024-04-07T09:59:16.909Z
As well as Asgreen, Per Strand Hagenes, Marco Haller, Rasmus Tiller, Kamil Małecki, Liam Slock and Gleb Syritsa are the other riders in this break. They now have 20 seconds, easily the biggest lead so far.
2024-04-07T09:55:42.103Z
This group is pushing on, and has a lead of seven seconds. It’s the most promising move so far.
2024-04-07T09:53:51.336Z
Intriguing move now as Kasper Asgreen is one of about seven riders to get a small gap.
2024-04-07T09:51:57.115Z
And now they’ve all been brought back.
2024-04-07T09:50:49.816Z
That pair is a Q36.5 rider and an Arkéa rider, any they’ve been joined by another few riders.
2024-04-07T09:49:24.186Z
240KM TO GO
2024-04-07T09:45:29.747Z
The riders at the start (Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T09:40:42.159Z
He’s brought back, as have an Astana and Visma-Lease a Bike rider that tried after him. It still feels like we’re a long way from a break being formed.
2024-04-07T09:38:55.097Z
150KM TO GO
2024-04-07T09:35:54.703Z
Attacks keep coming, but nobody has come close to making one stick yet.
2024-04-07T09:35:21.139Z
A couple more non-starters to report as well as Van Baarle. Astana’s Michael Mørkøv and UAE Team Emirates’ Michael Vink also aren’t here. Vink’s absence could be significant, given that UAE are likely to be one of the main protagonists of the race.
2024-04-07T09:32:55.195Z
More trying now, including Alexander Kristoff, who would be perhaps too big a name to be allowed up the road.
2024-04-07T09:30:56.672Z
That move has been shut down.
2024-04-07T09:29:49.297Z
There have already been multiple attacks, with six riders with a small gap.
2024-04-07T09:28:02.127Z
260KM TO GO
2024-04-07T09:25:10.597Z
Now for the all-important question: what’s the weather like? For now, it’s dry, meaning less treacherous cobbles. Yesterday’s women’s race was notable for its relative ack of crashes, and it seems today could be similar.
2024-04-07T09:22:57.403Z
Not long now until the race proper starts. There’s going to be a huge fight for the breakaway right from the flag, especially considering that riders who manage to get into it can often end up getting a high finish at the end of the day relative to other races.
2024-04-07T09:20:39.305Z
Van der Poel with his Alpecin-Deceuninck team (Image credit: Getty Images)
2024-04-07T09:16:18.705Z
The riders are in the neutralised section now, but one man expected to be there is missing – Dylan van Baarle. The winner from 2022’s form was already a big doubt after a spring in which he’s had issues with fitness, and he’s withdrawn due to illness. Given that they’re already missing Wout van Aert, that’s another major blow for Visma-Lease a Bike.
2024-04-07T09:11:58.792Z
One world champion won yesterday – will another today? Everybody certainly agrees that Mathieu van der Poel is the hot favourite, given his form this spring and just how brilliant he’s been this past twelve months, including victory here last year. But Paris-Roubaix is always dependent on having the gods on your side, and something like a puncture of a crash can end the hopes of even a rider as strong as he.
2024-04-07T09:05:37.974Z
We’ve already done one half of what has become Paris-Roubaix Weekend since the long-awaited introduction of the women’s race in 2021. It was a tense, close affair that went down to the wire, with Lotte Kopecky ultimately being crowned champion.
2024-04-07T09:00:53.954Z
There really is nothing else quite like Paris-Roubaix. While the cobbled classics that have been raced earlier in the spring throughout Belgium could hardly be called easy, this race is something else altogether. The cobblestones are unlike those in any other race, and there are lots of them – 55.7kilometres worth in total, accounting for over a third of every kilometre covered in the race’s second half.
2024-04-07T08:54:29.310Z
Welcome to hell! It’s time for the Queen of the Classics, a Sunday in Hell, and one of the great highlights of the cycling calendar.
2024-04-05T12:06:09.597Z
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ live coverage of Paris-Roubaix where the peloton take on 29 cobblestone sectors across 259.9km between Compiègne and Roubaix Velodrome.
(Image credit: ASO)