Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “This special moment won’t last forever”

April 7 ^th 2024 - 18:23

What happened today is actually hard to believe. I won Roubaix again alongside my team, that was even stronger that last year. I’m super proud of the boys and super happy to finish it off. I’ve been feeling very good for a long time, and today has been my best day in this Classics season.

I had not really planned to attack that early. I wanted to make the race hard from that point on, as I know that’s my strength, and I thought it was a good moment to attack because the group was too large and the cooperation was not really good. Once I got the gap, I knew I could make it to the finish line as I was on a very good day and the tailwind would help me keep my rivals at bay.

In Roubaix, a setback or a puncture is never far away. But I had quite a gap, and the car behind me, so I was confident. I could really enjoy the moment more than I did last week in Flanders, when I was at my limit. Today I felt incredible and I could really enjoy the final part.

It definitely isn’t normal to win Roubaix twice. When I was a child, I couldn’t imagine all the races I’m winning now. I was super motivated coming into this year, as I wanted to show the rainbow jersey in a nice way… but this has gone beyond my expectations. I am a bit lost for words. This special moment won’t last forever, and I want to enjoy.

I hope Jasper will win Roubaix in the future. I believe he has proved yet again today that he is well capable of that. We will try to make it next year again... yet, before that, we are going to throw a big party tonight.

If everything goes as planned, I will take part in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It’s a pity that a few contenders won’t be there in the Ardennes classics, yet it will be difficult to win there anyway and I will try to do my best in order to make it happen.