Intended Roubaix domestiques for Pogačar, Van der Poel and Van Aert crucial in final testing phase

GP de Denain is affectionately referred to as the little brother of Paris-Roubaix. But the March cobbled semi-classic is so much more than just a warm-up for its more famous big brother in April. IDL Pro Cycling spoke to some GP Denain riders on March 19. We discussed the status of 'project Paris-Roubaix', receiving in-depth answers from the intended domestiques for the big day.

Paris-Roubaix is on the menu this coming Sunday, over two weeks away when the GP de Denain took place. It was not unusual , then, that we saw Tadej Pogačar and Florian Vermeersch skip the race to recon parts of the route in northern France on behalf of UAE Emirates-XRG. Many other riders did choose to start the GP de Denain, possibly to sharpen their wits.

The 1.Pro race features 22.9 kilometres of cobbles in the final 100 kilometres, hence its use as a pre-Roubaix test. Not only for Paris-Roubaix, of course, if we think back to GP Denain 2022. Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard, not well known for their Roubaix prowess, turned up at the race in preparation for a cobbled stage in the Tour de France. And Roglič even almost won!

The test of Roglič and Vingegaard in 2022 was not unusual, because succeeding on the cobbles is a specialism. The suffering that awaits at Paris-Roubaix is somewhat signposted at GP Denain. 'It is always nice to be here, also with an eye on Paris-Roubaix and testing the equipment,' said Nils Politt before the start of the French semi-classic this year.

'We were here in December, when we tested new equipment. Last year after Paris-Roubaix we received two new bikes, so now we have to make choices,' said the German from UAE Emirates-XRG, who heads to the cobbles of Roubaix to support Pogačar.

Visma | Lease a Bike, with eyes on Roubaix victory, also sent a squad to Denain. 'We get some beautiful sectors in the final part of the race, so it is a good test and a great race,' said Per Strand Hagenes, who will be alongside Wout van Aert in Roubaix. 'The setup is very good, we have full confidence in it, including the pump system from Gravaa.'

Hagenes was prominent in the GP de Denain in March, only being caught at the last minute. Visma | Lease a Bike were, however, satisfied with how the bikes responded. 'We use this as a final equipment test, but of course everything has already been tested.' said team director of the day Robert Wagner. 'Training and races are different, however, so we are very pleased that we only had one puncture.'

Wagner saw Hagenes fly over the cobbles at Denain, and also at Le Samyn in February. Can the Norwegian show the same form at Paris-Roubaix and perhaps be of service to Van Aert until the end?

The lack of punctures and Hagenes's impressive cobbled sectors promise much. 'That also says something about the setup and the mechanics, for which compliments,' concluded Wagner.

Decathlon CMA CGM had planned to send both cobble specialists and intended Roubaix team leaders Daan Hoole and Cees Bol to Denain. But because Hoole broke his little finger in Paris-Nice, Bol was there on his own. 'The team is very busy with testing — for bike supplier Van Rysel, Roubaix is really an important race,' said Bol.

'In January we tested the equipment and the day before Denain we reconnoitred. The GP de Denain is also part of the fine-tuning programme towards Roubaix, if you can call it that,' continued Bol, who spoke of 'superb equipment'. 'For Roubaix there aren't that many secrets, but I am now riding on wider tyres, to minimise the chance of impact punctures. We are working well on it.'