Tadej Pogacar’s first Paris Roubaix participation is and remains the all-dominating topic in the cycling world. The classic organizer has not yet been convinced of a victory of the Slovenian. A competing team also sees another superstar in the fight for victory in pole position.
Thierry Gouvenou, organizer of the Radsport classic Paris-Roubaix, is not yet convinced that Tadej Pogacar will triumph on Sunday at his first start in the “Hell of the North”. The Slovenian should think about a victory after the last cobblestone passage at the earliest, said Gouvenou in an interview with “Cyclism’actu”.
“Pogacar really dominates the racing at the moment, but we don’t know how to beat Paris-Roubaix. Can you win Roubaix without having won beforehand?
What is out of the question for Gouvenou: the Slovenian is already one of the largest in its guild. “He knocks on the door of the cycling legends. […] Now nobody can withstand him. “The anticipation for Pogacars is correspondingly great at the official:” We have been on a Tour-de France champion for 34 years. And Violà … 2025 it happens! “
Ex-professional: Pogacar is good, but one is even better
Not only among the organizers, but also among the drivers and opposing teams, the anticipation for the duel with the best driver in the world. Also because they are convinced that they can hit the Slovenes on the cobblestone paves.
Luke Rowe, ex-professional and today’s sports director of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team, belongs to the camp that is convinced that there is a better candidate for the race. “There is no reason that Pogi cannot win the race. He would not be at the start if he was not convinced. But for me there is a very clear favorite that is over everyone else, and that is Mathieu van der Poel,” said Rowe in the “Cyclingnew’s” interview.
Pogacar is a talent that cycling rarely seen. “But Mathieu is made in every conceivable way for Paris-Roubaix,” said Rowe about the Dutch superstar, who, in addition to Pogacar, is one of the top favorites.