Alpecin-Deceuninck have dominated the earlier two editions of Paris-Roubaix, having locked out the highest two positions on the rostrum on the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux.
On each events, Mathieu van der Poel secured the win with a long-range solo transfer whereas teammate Jasper Philipsen sprinted dwelling to take second place. This time round, the pair head into the race nursing sickness and damage, although each riders mentioned on Friday that they hope to be at full health for Sunday’s race.
Van der Poel has been combating again from a chilly he caught after Milan-San Remo, which lingered via the Tour of Flanders, whereas Philipsen hasn’t been at full power since a late crash at Nokere Koerse.
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“Racing E3 Harelbeke made issues worse,” Van der Poel mentioned of his sickness. “By Monday, I felt actually underneath the climate. I ended up on antibiotics, and through Flanders, I nonetheless wasn’t at 100%, although I used to be in a position to defend myself pretty effectively. In the long run, I nonetheless made the rostrum.
“After the Tour of Flanders, I had a little bit of a dip once more. That is most likely not stunning: it was an enormous effort on Sunday, and I nonetheless wasn’t absolutely recovered. However now it is Friday, and I am feeling significantly better. I feel I am fairly OK to attempt to defend my title on Sunday.”
Philipsen, in the meantime, mentioned that he suffered from “minor whiplash, some muscle soreness, and occasional complications” in his crash. He is since raced at Milan-San Remo and 4 Belgian Classics, together with Scheldeprijs on Wednesday, the place he completed second to construct confidence forward of Roubaix.
“The crash continues to be lingering a bit,” he mentioned. “It is nothing unmanageable, and I am getting therapy, so it is no excuse. However I am not utterly snug but.
“In Gent-Wevelgem and Scheldeprijs, I used to be in a position to regain some confidence. In any case, I’ve labored exhausting to be prepared. Hopefully, that effort can be rewarded on Sunday.”
Van der Poel has been within the wars himself, having been caught up in a crash on the Tour of Flanders final week earlier than battling on to complete second behind Tadej Pogačar.
He is since recovered from any stiffness ensuing from that fall and now heads again to Roubaix to go back-to-back-to-back, a feat not seen since Francesco Moser did the identical 45 years in the past.
“I begin each race to win, and this yr is not any completely different,” Van der Poel mentioned. “After all, that is simpler mentioned than executed, however that is the mindset I convey to the beginning.
“And if I am not at my best possible, we’ll do every little thing we are able to to maintain the victory inside the workforce. Jasper Philipsen has proven over the previous two years that he is greater than able to successful this race, too.”
Philipsen, who beat Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen within the sprints for second previously two years, mentioned that ending second behind his teammate for a 3rd time would “really feel like a victory”.
The Belgian, who received Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne earlier this spring, mentioned he enjoys the model of racing at Roubaix. He contrasted the flat cobbles with the quick, sharp hills of Flanders and mentioned Alpecin-Deceuninck “really feel at dwelling” at Paris-Roubaix.
“It isn’t just like the Tour of Flanders, the place the hills maintain coming. It is extra about positioning and surviving the cobbles; that is the sort of racing I like. I actually benefit from the rattle and rhythm of the pavé,” mentioned Philipsen.
“As a workforce, we really feel at dwelling within the Hell of the North. We’re lining up with a robust group: all guys who know their method throughout the cobbles, with the expertise and toughness it takes. If we are able to keep away from unhealthy luck and journey our race, there is no purpose we will not purpose for an additional sturdy consequence.”
Van der Poel famous that the remainder of the workforce – Silvan Dillier, Edward Planckaert, Jonas Rickaert, Oscar Riesebeek, and Gianni Vermeersch – all head into this yr’s race already boasting expertise of being a part of a successful workforce at Roubaix.
The seven-man lineup has 26 begins amongst them, with 2018 runner-up Dillier probably the most skilled Roubaix racer with seven begins.
“We have actually a robust lineup. 5 of the six teammates from Sunday have been additionally a part of our success final yr. The sixth, Jonas Rickaert, was a part of the squad in 2023. That shared expertise actually counts in a race like this,” Van der Poel mentioned earlier than happening to charge his main opponents for achievement on Sunday.
“It is possibly tougher to foretell than normal. Pogačar is all the time a significant contender. However in Flanders, we additionally noticed Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, and Jasper Stuyven acting at a really excessive stage. After which there’s Filippo Ganna. Paris-Roubaix may simply be the right race for him.”
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