🎥 Basketball legend LeBron James motivates Mathieu van der Poel ahead of Paris-Roubaix

If he needed any more motivation to win his fourth cobblestone trophy on Sunday, he probably didn't expect it from here. American basketball legend LeBron James has wished Mathieu van der Poel good luck ahead of Paris-Roubaix with a personal video via Instagram.

"Nothing but respect for greatness at the highest level. MVDP is a different breed. The preparation, the mindset, the willingness to embrace the pain. That's what separates the legends from the rest," said the 20x NBA all-star, wearing a cycling helmet.

"The Hell of the North is not just a race. It's a test of will. The mud, the cobbles and the chaos. It's about who you are when everything gets uncomfortable," James said. Like Van der Poel, he is connected to Canyon. 'It looks like the team is also having a great time on the new Canyon bikes,' he added.

The American signed off with a message for MVDP. "Go be great. Go make history. The world is watching for a reason." Van der Poel's response? 'Let's go 🙌🏻'

James has been posting videos about Canyon bikes since July 2022, when the LA Lakers superstar became an investor in the brand, via his his investment firm LRMR Ventures.

Whether or not LeBron James will be watching Van der Poel attempt to win his fourth title live is unclear. But keep an eye on his Instagram for any congratulatory videos if things do go well for MVDP (and Canyon).

Van der Poel confirmed in a pre-Roubaix press conference that he had been testing a new and unreleased Canyon frame at E3 Saxo Classic and In Flanders Fields - from Middelkerke to Wevelgem. "It was the new Endurace we tried" the Dutchman said. "It was a good one. If you can win on a new bike, it's always nice."