So far, Paris-Roubaix had never really smiled at Wout van Aert (13th in 2018, 22nd the following year and 7th last season).
Despite three weeks without a race and a complete eight-day stoppage due to the coronavirus, the Belgian champion grabbed second place amid the greatest uncertainty surrounding his participation up to three days from the queen of the classics. “I’m surprised with this result and happy when I see this, it’s the best result I could hope for”admitted the Belgian on his descent from the podium. “With my preparation and the circumstances you know, I’m really happy to be on the podium.”
Wout van Aert repeats that he was going into the unknown and did not expect such a result.
“No, no, you have to stop, I did not bluff by saying that I had a free role and that I was not the only leader at the start”continues-t-il. “I was sick and I did everything to arrive here in the best possible shape. From the first cobbled sections, I was always well placed, my feelings were good, but then I had a little too much bad luck. and yet, I was still there in the final. I can’t have any regrets. Dylan van Baarle one of the strongest certainly, if we had come back on his heels, I could have regrets but he pushed us back almost two minutes. Hats off to him, but we knew he was very strong.”
Reassured about his physical condition and happy with his current form, the Jumbo-Visma rider has decided to add Liège-Bastogne-Liège to his program.
“I’m going to run next Sunday”he said. “It’s the advantage that I can derive from having been sick. We said that we would see after the race, this Sunday evening, how I had done. I think I was in good shape so, now, a good recovery and I will compete in a great classic as well. The legs are turning better than I thought, with this form, I can’t wait to be in Liège next Sunday.”
Mathieu van der Poel: “Not the legs to do better, very happy for van Baarle”
Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel was active all day in the 119th edition of Paris-Roubaix, where he finished 9th 2:34 behind his compatriot Dylan van Baarle after a hotly contested race in which he was the favorite at the start: “It was a rather strange race”, explained the Dutchman from Alpecin-Fenix. “We had to sprint from the start, with the crosswind, then we had to race all day. I was well covered by my team throughout the race. The teammates did a great job. I I felt good, but I didn’t have the legs to do better, I admit it. I’m very happy for Dylan van Baarle, whom I beat in the Tour of Flanders. It’s a very good victory for him at Roubaix.”
Mathieu van der Poel will soon be doing an internship in Spain. He has not yet confirmed his participation in the Giro.