Good day and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ reside protection of Paris-Roubaix the place the peloton tackle 29 cobblestone sectors throughout 259.9km between Compiègne and Roubaix Velodrome.

Welcome to hell! It’s time for the Queen of the Classics, a Sunday in Hell, and one of many nice highlights of the biking calendar.

There actually is nothing else fairly like Paris-Roubaix. Whereas the cobbled classics which were raced earlier within the spring all through Belgium may hardly be referred to as straightforward, this race is one thing else altogether. The cobblestones are not like these in some other race, and there are many them – 55.7kilometres value in complete, accounting for over a 3rd of each kilometre lined within the race’s second half.

We’ve already carried out one half of what has turn out to be Paris-Roubaix Weekend because the long-awaited introduction of the ladies’s race in 2021. It was a tense, shut affair that went all the way down to the wire, with Lotte Kopecky finally being topped champion.

One world champion received yesterday – will one other as we speak? Everyone actually agrees that Mathieu van der Poel is the new favorite, given his type this spring and simply how sensible he’s been this previous twelve months, together with victory right here final 12 months. However Paris-Roubaix is at all times depending on having the gods in your facet, and one thing like a puncture of a crash can finish the hopes of even a rider as sturdy as he.

The riders are within the neutralised part now, however one man anticipated to be there’s lacking – Dylan van Baarle. The winner from 2022’s type was already an enormous doubt after a spring by which he’s had points with health, and he’s withdrawn on account of sickness. Provided that they’re already lacking Wout van Aert, that’s one other main blow for Visma-Lease a Bike.

Not lengthy now till the race correct begins. There’s going to be an enormous combat for the breakaway proper from the flag, particularly contemplating that riders who handle to get into it will probably usually find yourself getting a excessive end on the finish of the day relative to different races.

Now for the all-important query: what’s the climate like? For now, it’s dry, that means much less treacherous cobbles. Yesterday’s girls’s race was notable for its relative ack of crashes, and it appears as we speak might be comparable.

260KM TO GO

We’re off!

There have already been a number of assaults, with six riders with a small hole.

That transfer has been shut down.

Extra attempting now, together with Alexander Kristoff, who could be maybe too massive a reputation to be allowed up the highway.

A pair extra non-starters to report in addition to Van Baarle. Astana’s Michael Mørkøv and UAE Group Emirates’ Michael Vink additionally aren’t right here. Vink’s absence might be important, provided that UAE are more likely to be one of many foremost protagonists of the race. 

Assaults hold coming, however no one has come shut to creating one stick but.

150KM TO GO

Edvald Boasson Hagen is a lone chief in the mean time with just a few seconds on the peloton.

He’s introduced again, as have an Astana and Visma-Lease a Bike rider that attempted after him. It nonetheless appears like we’re a great distance from a break being fashioned.

240KM TO GO

Two riders up the highway in the mean time, with in all probability the most important hole we have seen thus far – however it’s nonetheless just a few seconds. 

That pair is a Q36.5 rider and an Arkéa  rider, any they have been joined by one other few riders.

And now they’ve all been introduced again.

Intriguing transfer now as Kasper Asgreen is one among about seven riders to get a small hole.

This group is pushing on, and has a lead of seven seconds. It is probably the most promising transfer thus far.

In addition to Asgreen, Per Strand Hagenes, Marco Haller, Rasmus Tiller, Kamil Małecki, Liam Slock and Gleb Syritsa are the opposite riders on this break. They now have 20 seconds, simply the most important lead thus far.

230KM TO GO

Some riders have tried counter-attacking and becoming a member of the leaders up entrance, however have all been introduced again by the peloton. The main seven are nonetheless going sturdy thought, their lead now rising to close 30 seconds. 

Dušan Rajović has attacked out the peloton and is attempting to bridge as much as the leaders all by himself. It is nonetheless solely a ga of about 20 seconds, however that is loads for only one man towards a dedicated group nonetheless driving arduous to attempt to set up themselves because the day’s break.

Rajović has been joined by Dries De Bondt, who was one among a number of riders to assault from the peloton over the previous few minutes, however the one one to reach getting out of it. 

We have had our first crash of the day. Plenty of riders are down.

It appears no one is just too severely damage, however there may nonetheless be just a few abandonments, with Elia Viviani nonetheless but to get again up.

The most important identify down seems to be prefer it’s Jonathan Milan. He is up, and might be OK to proceed. 

Jonas Rutsch has deserted because of the crash. That is an actual disgrace for a rider who loved the race of his life right here in 2021 when he completed eleventh.

In the meantime again up the highway, issues are trying good for the main seven, who now have 50 seconds on the peloton. Rajović and De Bondt are nonetheless in between, 35 seconds behind the leaders.

Elia Viviani has additionally been confirmed as abandoning.

Exterior contender Laurenz Rex was one other to go down in that crash. He is up and making his method again to the peloton, however was very bruised and his jersey torn.

210KM TO GO

It’s going to at the very least now be simpler for many who fell to get again into the peloton, because the tempo is down and the break been allowed to go. Some are taking the oppertunity to take consolation breaks too. We now have our break of the day.

Extra riders seen attempting to journey again as much as the peloton in torn jerseys, together with Uno-X’s Erik Nordsæter Resell.

Laurenz Rex is now receiving remedy for his wounds. He actually does look damage – given the horrors to return on the cobblestones, is he actually going to have the ability to proceed?

A motorcycle change for Tim Merlier, who additionally should have been in that crash – he is been patched up with bandages too.

200KM TO GO

A reminder of the seven riders out entrance, who now have a lead of 1-30 forward of the peloton:

Kasper Asgreen

Per Strand Hagenes

Marco Haller

Rasmus Tiller

Kamil Małecki

Liam Slock

Gleb Syritsa

Nils Politt additionally had a motorbike change, suggesting he too may need been concerned in that crash. He actually seems to be OK, and is not sporting any seen bruises like most of the different victims. 

De Bondt and Rajović are nonetheless persisting with their irritating chase, in the meantime. They’re caught nearly squarely in the midst of each teams, 40 seconds away from the leaders at 50 seconds forward of the peloton.

Nonetheless round 30km till we hit the primary pavé. Paris-Roubaix is a race of two distinct components – the primary two fifths, made up of straightforward flat roads, after which the ultimate three fifths, the place all hell breaks unfastened as they tackle cobbled sector after cobbled sector.

For now, issues are very relaxed. Many riders, together with Van der Poel and Pedersen, are making their method again to the peloton after taking consolation breaks. 

190KM TO GO

Nonetheless a 1-30 lead for the break. They are not being allowed a lot leeway in any respect by Alpecin-Deceuninck, who’re main the peloton. There are highly effective riders in it, and evidently Van der Poel fears giving them an excessive amount of of a bonus. 

De Bondt and Rajović are going t be rewarded for his or her efforts in any case. They’ve slowly closed down on the leaders, and are just a few seconds away now.

180KM TO GO

As for the hole between the leaders and the peloton, it is nonetheless holding regular at 1-30.

In the end, De Bondt and Rajović have made it. They’ve certainly earned a little bit of a relaxation earlier than contributing to the pace-setting. 

The riders are going at a good lick proper now. The peloton actually is not eager to let this lead group have a singificant lead. We are able to anticipate the hole to fall shortly as soon as we method the primary cobbled sector and the frantic vying for place begins. 

It might be Kasper Asgreen who’s prompting the peloton to maintain the break on such a leash, given his standing as a classics star – for Van der Poel epsecially his identify raises alarm, because it was he who defeated him to win the 2021 Tour of Flanders. He has been nicely off his finest type this spring, however a rider of his calibre nonetheless cannot be allowed such an opportunity.

Asgreen is not the one rider to be fearful about, both. Per Strand Hagenes looks like a really proficient younger rider, Dries De Bondt was fifth at Dwars door Vlaanderen, and Ramus Tiller tends to complete up there within the classics with out the benefit of a head begin getting within the breakaway offers you.

Issues are intensifying now as the primary cobbled sector approaches in only a few minutes: sector 29, Troisvilles à Inchy. Paris-Roubaix correct is about to start!

The leaders are on the cobbles.

It is not a mild one to ease the riders into it, both. It is one of many 3-star sectors.

Now the peloton arrives, and Alpecin lead with Van der Poel just a few wheels from the entrance.

We now have our first cobble-induced puncture of the day already. Christophe Laporte is the sufferer – but extra unhealthy luck for Visma-Lease a Bike.

Drawback additionally for Pierre Gautherat, who has needed to cease along side the highway.

160KM TO GO

That is the primary sector over and carried out with – simply the 28 left to go…

They’re onto sector 28 now, Viesly à Quiévy, one other 3-star one.

Ominously, these cobbles are fairly moist, too. It’s not raining as we speak, however in a single day rain between as we speak and yesterday’s girls’s race has clearly had an impact.

The pavé is already breaking apart the lead group, with Syritsa dropped.

And within the peloton, Tim Wellens is pushing on and setting a fierce tempo – and there are splits.

Whereas that is occurring behind, Agreen leads the break onto the sector 27, the primary 4-star sector of the day.

Now the peloton are onto the identical sector, a couple of minute behind. They’ve principally regrouped after Wellens’ acceleration, however are drawn out into an extended skinny line.

We’re seeing Laporte for the primary time shortly. He is nonetheless making his method as much as the peloton following that puncture earlier. He is shifting by numerous small teams, however nonetheless has an extended approach to go.

Syritsa’s been caught by the peloton, and practically fell off whereas he was reabsorbed as he misplaced his balence on the cobbles.

150KM TO GO

That sector’s carried out, and Alpecin’s tempo has been sufficient to convey the break again to simply 42 seconds. 

The race is in bits already! What was as soon as the peloton is now a collection of small teams. Mads Pedersen is one rider caught out in one of many teams additional again. 

And if the cobbles aren’t sufficient to fret about, now the wind is having an impact too. The riders are in echelon formation on an uncovered highway.

What we’re calling the peloton is barely about 30 riders sturdy. Alpecin are nonetheless main it onto sector 26, with Van der Poel third in line.

Pedersen is main a gaggle simply 18 seconds behind. He ought to be capable to rejoin, however will spend valuable power doing so.

Mechanical for Oscar Riesbeek, who has carried out a lot of the work for Alpecin as we speak. He cannot have had an excessive amount of left within the tank anyway given how a lot work he is carried out on this early part of the race. 

Pedersen is main a gaggle simply 18 seconds behind. He ought to be capable to rejoin, however will spend valuable power doing so.

Laporte is in a gaggle 1-15 behind the (now very lowered) peloton, who’re themselves solely a matter of seconds behind the unique break.

140M TO GO

The unique break has ben caught. They should have anticipated to have spent longer on the entrance once they first succeeded in getting away. 

Rex is again on his bike and persevering with to journey, regardless of his two nasty falls. That is displaying loads of guts.

After just a few kilometres of respite, we’re again on the cobbles for sector 25.

There are 4 Alpecin riders on the entrance with Van der Poel, inclding Philipsen. They’re bossing this race in the mean time, main the peloton as soon as once more on this sector. 

One rider additionally caught out within the Laporte group a minute again is Oier Lazkano, one of many lengthy photographs for victory as we speak. 

There should solely be about 40 riders within the peloton now.

A lot of the favourites are within the peloton although, together with Pedersen and Stefan Küng.

Sector 24 now, and it is nonetheless Alpecin main the group.

Puncture for Ed Theuns, one among Pedersen’s most vital Lidl-Trek teammates. 

Unhealthy information for Josh Taring, who has been disqualified for the race. He was caught taking an excessive amount of of a sticky bottle from a group automobile.

He seems to be very upset, too. After speaking to the commissaires automobile for a short while he angrily sneakers away the TV bike. 

Tarling cannot have many complaints, although. He was seen on digicam getting a really massive pull from his group automobile.

Theuns has made his method again into the lead group after hid puncture earlier.

Regardless of their issues, Visma-Lease a Bike have managed to get three riders on this lead group. They’re amassed in direction of the entrance of the group, simply behind the 5 Alpecins.

Tom Pidcock can also be current, however discovering the tempo robust, as he signifies to the TV digicam. 

Per Strand Hagenes, Tim van Dijke and Mick van Dijke are the three Visma riders.

The leaders are on sector 3, a comparatively simple one.

A puncture for Politt on the cobbles

Regardless of attempting to proceed, it has been introduced that Rex has retired. He is actually been threw the wars as we speak. 

120KM TO GO

The lead group attain the top of sector 23 principally altogether nonetheless. The Laporte group is falling additional and additional beind although, now 1-50 adrift. They have to certainly now be out of rivalry. 

Timo Kielich, Edward Planckaert and Gianni Vermeersch are the three Alpecin riders doing the work for Van der Poel and Philipsen.

Puncture for Dries Van Gestel, who had made it into the lead group.

Politt continues to be within the lead group regardless of his earlier downside, however can also be nonetheless in search of assistence from his group to repair it.

Now Politt has received his bike change and is chasing again up. It appears there was an issue together with his seat. 

110KM TO GO

A lull in proceedings proper now, and most of the riders distanced on account of a wide range of issues rejoin the peloton, together with Politt.

We’re now approaching sector 20, which has been described as doubtlessly one of many new most vital components of the race, following the change to the Arneberg Forest.

They’re on the sector now, and the method wasn’t fairly as hectic because it may need been, what with the lowered measurement of the peloton.

For as soon as it isn’t Alpecin main on the cobbles, however as a substitute Mathias Vacek for Lidl-Trek.

Alpecin are additionally a person down after Kielich had an issue going into the sector.

Now, subsequent up is the second we have all been ready for: the Arenberg Forest. A lot has been made from the change to the method, and the brand new chicane launched to attempt to gradual the tempo down on the lethal cobbles to a slower, safer tempo. However given the dimensions of the peloton, which is way smaller than traditional at this stage, it will not be anyplace close to as massive a problem as believed.

No matter occurs on the chicane, the Forest itself will nonetheless be essential. Everyone might be praying they don’t have a puncture right here, and we’ll get some concept of who the strongest riders are.

No matter occurs on the chicane, the Forest itself will nonetheless be essential. Everyone might be praying they don’t have a puncture right here, and we’ll get some concept of who the strongest riders are.

They’re approaching the chicane now, and Lidl-Trek are main.

Mads Pedersen leads on the cobbles

Philipsen and Van der Poel are 2nd and third in line.

Pucture for Tim Van Dijk, however his brother Mick is flying, up there with Van der Poel, Philipsen and Pedersen.

Now Van der Poel strikes to the entrance.

He, Philipsen, Pedersen and Van Dijk have gone clear.

Van der Poel reaches the top of the forest, then Philpsen, Pedersen and Van Dijk a second behind, then one other group a number of seconds behind.

Degenkolb wants a wheel change as he exists the forest in one of many chase teams.

Behind the 4 leaders is a gaggle of about 10 riders in pursuit.

Kung is the rider main the chase in that group behind.

Puncture for Philipsen. He is hanging onto the group for now, however might want to cease each time an oppertuntity arises.

With Kung within the chase grop is Pidcock, Politt, Pithie, Jacobs, Bissegger, Meeus and  Wærenskjold.

They’ve now caught the 4 leaders.

In the meantime Philipsen has now stopped to get his change, and can now should chase again on.

Puncture for Pedersen

Pedersen goes backwards simply as Philipsen is making his approach to the entrance group.

One other puncture now for Meeus.

Vermeersch, Kung and Politt have attacked out the entrance, and have a good hole.

Yet one more puncture for a rider within the group of favuorites, this time for Wellens.

Vermeersch is likely to be within the lead group, however Van der Poel is doing the work to convey it again.

Pedersen has had his bike change, and is now within the group behind the Van der Poel group, about 20 seconds behind.

In abstract: Vermeersch, Politt and Kung lead the race, 20 seconds behind are one other 8 riders inclding Van der Poel and Philipsen, and one other 6 seconds behind is a bigger group contraining Pedersen.

The Pedersen group has bridged as much as the Van der Poel group.

For all of the carnage of the earlier kilometres, this can be a massive group that has come collectively behind the three leaders. There are over 20 riders right here.

Time for sector 17 now, the 4-star Hornaing à Wandignies.

Lidl-Trek are main the group. The onus is off Van der Poel and Alpecin, as Vermeersch is up the highway.

80KM TO GO

Regardless of Lidl’s work, the hole is rising out, to 40 seconds.

Now Pidcock’s moved to the entrance and upped the tempo. He is doing an important journey for somebody who solely determined to journey on the final minute. 

Lidl’s Vacek takes over for the remaininder of the sector. They end it with the hole at 30 seconds. 

Drawback for Bissegger, who’s out the again of the group, presumably on account of some sort of mechanical.

A primary glimpse of the now-infamous pre-Arenberg Forest chicane, which after all of the fuss handed with out incident. 

The leaders are on sector 16. They’re lead is 30 seconds. Küng and Politt are dedicated, and are within the uncommon place of being forward of Van der Poel in a race – albeit with one among his teammates glued to their wheel.

Vacek continues to be main the group of favourites, and is making inroads now. The hole is down to twenty seconds.

A reminder that many of the favourites are current on this group, together with Van der Poel, Philipsen, Pedersen and Pidcock.

Crash for Van Dijke because the flip a nook on the cobbles, however he is up immediatley and again on his bike.

Pedersen is now main the group himself, and the hole is plummiting.

70KM TO GO

The main trio has very practically been introduced again.

They full sector 15, and shortly after the catch is made. That was an enormous effort from Politt and Kung, and so they might find yourself paying for it later.

Tim Wellens assaults nearly immediatley after the catch is made. UAE Group Emirates clearly consider agressive techniques is the easiest way to go as we speak.

Pithie, Van Dijke and Vermeersch observe Wellens, earlier than Pedersen drags everybody again.

They’re all again collectively, and there are about 20 riders current.

A few of the names on this group: Van der Poel, Philipsen, Pedersen, Van Dijke, Pidocock, Degenkolb, Fedorov, Vermeersch, Wright, Meeus, Pithie, Hagenes, Politt, Wellens

Now they enter sector 14, Beuvry-la-Fôret à Orchies

They end that sector with no casualties.

The tempo has slackened for now. It’s the calm earlier than the storm, earlier than we hit the actually arduous cobbles soone – the 5-star Mons-en-Pévèle is barely 2 sectors away.

60KM TO GO

Van der Poel assaults!

He made his transfer at first of sector 13, and is constructing a lead.

Pedersen is main the chase behind, however it’s already fairly distant.

In the meantime Cedric Beullens crashed within the lead group going round a nook. 

8 seconds for Van der Poel. That is removed from insurmountable, however we all know by now that this stands an excellent likelihood of being the race-winning transfer. The next sectors, that are particularly nasty, might be key.

Pedersen is attempting to assault out of the chase group, but when closed down by Vermeersch. That is in fact one other massive downside for the opposite riders – the presence of Van der Poel’s teammates with them.

Now Politt tries, and but once more Vermeersch follows. He is ridden fantastically as we speak in support of his chief. 

There is no organisation within the chase. They’re all attacking one another, then slowing down and one another. Already Van der Poel’s lead is eighteen seconds. 

Pedersen leads onto sector 12. He’ll actually wish to go clear and take only a few riders with him, and begin a correct organised chase of Van der Poel – however to try this, he’ll have to drop the Alpecin riders.

28 seconds now for Van der Poel. He is disappearing up the highway.

Pedersen accelerates once more, however Vermeersch stays glued to his wheel, with Philipsen on his.

These three exit the sector with a niche of some seconds over the remaining, however a pissed off Pedersen will not press on with the Alpecin riders following him.

50KM TO GO

Virtually a minute now for Van der Poel. As soon as once more, we’re left questioning extra what his successful margin might be, relatively than whether or not he’ll win.

That mentioned, Paris-Roubaix is not like most different races, in that extra issues can go incorrect. Van der Poel is likely to be forward by miles for now, however must keep focussed in order to not crash, and fortunate in order to not puncture.

And if he will puncture anyplace, it might be the sector he is coming into now – sector 11, the well-known Mons-en-Pévèle.

Nils Politt has accelerated on this sector, however once more has an Alpecin rider on his wheel, this time Philipsen. Pedersen can also be there.

Van der Poel has completed Mons-en-Pévèle, and his lead has grown but extra to a whopping 1-30. We’ve mentioned it many occasions already this spring, however as soon as once more, we’re witnessing one thing very particular.

Politt’s acceleration has compelled a variety within the chase group. With him is Pedersen, Philipsen, Kung and Pithie.

They’ve received a large benefit, too. Philipsen is there, however they are going to be relieved to finally have removed Vermeersch.

Now Van der Poel enters sector 10, his lead as much as 1-38.

Pedersen, Küng, Pithie, Politt and Philipsen are 15 seconds forward of the remainder of the chasers. That is shaping as much as be a repeat of final 12 months, with Philipsen once more well-poised to take second place driving as a passenger.

40KM TO GO

1-48 now for Van der Poel, as he approaches sector 9.

Pidcock overshoots a nook on sector 9, however stays upright. He is just a little adrift from the chase group he was in, although.

Van der Poel’s completed with sector 9, and his lead continues to be getting larger and larger. It is now 2 minutes.

For context, when Dylan van Baarle pulled-off his enormous win in 2022, the successful margin was 1-47. And that was the most important for 12 years when, Fabian Cancellara received by precisely 2 minutes. This might be the most important Paris-Roubaix victory for a few years.

He is been out alone for nearly 30km, and but nonetheless has 8 sectors to finish. He is on that sector 8 now, and appears clean as ever, not having any issues or showing to tire. 

As for the race for the rostrum spots, it is nonetheless trying good for the Philipsen/Pedersen/Küng/Politt/Pithie group. They’re 30 seconds forward of the following chase group. 

Crash for Pithie. He misplaced his entrance wheel going round a nook onto the cobbles.

Till now he had been one of the best performing exterior identify at this 12 months’s race. He is again on his bike, and can attempt to rejoin relatively than drop into the group behind.

By the way, the group behind Pithie has many shock packages. In full it options: Tim Van Dijke, Yevgeniy Fedorov, Dries Van Gestel, Madis Mihkels and Søren Wærenskjold, alongside extra predictable names like John Degenkolb, Gianni Vermeesch, Jordi Meeus, Fred Wright, Tim Wellens and Tom Pidcock.

Again up forward, Van der Poel’s lead has plateaued. It is stayed hovering at simply over two minutes for some time now.

At this charge, he’ll handle the most important successful margin since 2002, when Johan Museeuw received by an much more monumental 3-04.

Pithie continues to be combating to get again into the group forward, relatively than sit up and look forward to the group behind. It is some effort, and might be very spectacular if he could make it.

Gianni Vermeersch nonetheless is not carried out as we speak, and has attacked out of the second chase group. In spite of everything his work earlier you’d have thought he’d be out of power, however clearly not.

Pithie has the Pedersen group in sight as they journey sector 6, however nonetheless has some floor to make up. He is making an excellent fist of it.

20KM TO GO

Van der Poel’s lead is rising once more. It is over 2-30 now – perhaps Museeuw’s 3-04 might be underneath risk in any case.

As for the race for the rostrum spots, Politt, Pedersen and Küng might be determined to drop Philipsen on one of many upcoming pavé sectors, as he will certainly have the beating of them in a dash, particularly after so many kilometres of relaxation.

Remarkably, Vermeersch has bridged as much as Pithie. The pair are 25 seconds behind the Pedersen group.

Van der Poel begins Carrefour de l’Arbre together with his lead up but extra to 2-46. Even when he does puncture (like his rival Van Aert did final 12 months), he’d nonetheless in all probability win at a canter. 

As Van der Poel finishes the sector unscathed, the chase group enters it. That is the massive likelihood for many who do not fancy their dash to strive attacking and get away – be careful for Stefan Küng.

20 seconds behind these are Pithie and Vermeersch. They will wish to use this sector to attempt to bridge as much as them.

No assaults from anybody within the chase group, whereas Vermeersch and Pithie have dropped a bit additional away, now to nearly 30 seconds. They appear unlikely to catch them now.

Philipsen’s attacking!

Philipsen has attacked on the far more benign sector 3 that follows Carrefour de l’Arbre.

Pedersen and Politt are nearly in a position to catch as much as him, however Küng has been dropped. 

10KM TO GO

Simply 10 kilometres and a pair of extra sectors for Van der Poel left to finish now, the primary one rated solely 2-stars, and the ultimate one solely ceremonial. 

His lead has stopped rising in the meanwhile, holding at about 2-50. It is nonetheless a startling benefit although, a lot larger even than the 1-02 he received the Tour of Flanders by.

He additionally may higher Tadej Pogačar’s successful margin from his equally astonishing journey to win Strade Bianche this 12 months. On that event, the ultimate margin was 2-44.

He is by sector 2 with none issues. It ought to be a pleasant, worry-free journey to the end now for the Dutchman.

There might be loads of stress within the group behind, nonetheless. Three does not go into two, and due to this fact one rider might be left disenchanted and lacking out on the 2 remaining podium spots behind Van der Poel.

Küng was correctly distanced by the sooner Philipsen assault, and is now 25 seconds behind – certainly an excessive amount of time to recuperate now.

Van der Poel’s beginning to chill out and have fun now. He shares a fist bump together with his group automobile.

Simply 2km left now for Van der Poel.

Right here he comes into the velodrome.

Mathieu van der Poel wins Paris-Roubaix!

He did not actually let up his tempo within the velodrome both, so his successful margin is certainly going to be large.

Now we look forward to Pedersen, Philipsen and Politt.

Pedersen leads them as they enter the velodrome.

Pedersen nonetheless leads with Philipsen on his wheel.

Politt goes early.

Philipsen comes previous him for second, and Pedersen takes third.

Küng solos shut behind 4 fifth. 

Now Vermeersch outsprints Pithie to take sixth, the New Zealander settling for seventh.

Tim Van Dijke assaults from a gaggle behind to take eighth, and Jordi Meeus wins the dash for ninth. 

As for the successful margin, it ended up being precisely three minutes – the most important for 22 years.

Søren Wærenskjold rounded off the highest ten by ending simply behind Meeus within the dash. 

All types of historical past being made by Van der Poel. That is his sixth profession monument victory, placing him inside the highest sixteen riders of all time, and becoming a member of solely Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Johan Museeuw to take action within the twenty first century. And he did so carrying the rainbow jersey, one thing solely half a dozen riders have carried out earlier than. 

Van der Poel takes the headlines in fact, however Jasper Philipsen additionally deserves reward for an additional lead to what has been an distinctive spring. He is now received Milan-Sanremo and Brugge-De Panne, and made the rostrum at Paris-Roubaix and Scheldeprijs. We regularly discuss a Huge 6 within the present peloton – perhaps we should always replace that to a Huge 7 together with him?

Congratulations are additionally to ensure that Mads Pedersen. Third-place is his career-high end at Paris-Roubaix for him, and a few comeback from the crash at E3 Saxo Financial institution Traditional that threatened to finish his spring. His longed-for monument continues to elude him, however it’s arduous to know what else he may have carried out as we speak.

One other file to fall: by ending the 259.7km course in 5-25-58, Van der Poel has ridden the quickest Paris-Roubaix in historical past. 

Some notable outcomes additional down from the rostrum: Gianni Vermeersch managed to seal sixth place regardless of all his work for Van der Poel, the very best end right here of his profession; Laurence Pithie was seventh on debut, the excessive end he has threatened to drag off all spring; Tim Van Dijke was one of the best performing Visma-Lease a Bike rider in eighth place; and Madis Mihkels completed eleventh on the tender age of 20-years-old, asserting himself as a serious new expertise.

Thanks for becoming a member of us as we speak. After an exciting first three quarters of the race, there wasn’t a lot stress as soon as Van der Poel went clear, however it was nonetheless a shocking efficiency to witness. The Dutchman has produced many magical rides lately, however this is likely to be one of the best but. He’ll be again within the coming weeks too, at Amstel Gold and Liège-Bastogne-Liège – and so will we. You’ll want to reconvene right here for them!