"Maybe I'm bad loser": Mikkel Bjerg critisizes Visma | LaB and Alpecin-Premier Tech at Roubaix

UAE Team Emirates-XRG didn't quite know what to think after Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. On one hand, there was pride that the team had taken second place with Tadej Pogačar in what is arguably his hardest Monument. On the other, the team was frustrated to have come so close to victory. Mikkel Bjerg was still at a crossroads when he spoke to Danish broadcaster TV2 after the race.

Bjerg rode at the front from the start, just as he had done at the Tour of Flanders. But he was eventually called back to help bring Pogačar back after his puncture. "I spoke with Nils [Politt] and couldn't reach anyone on the radio. It was a bit chaotic," the Dane recalled.

"It was Nils's decision to stop. And it was the right decision," the powerhouse acknowledged. "When you're riding in a world champion's jersey, there's no help to be had. But that's just the way it is."

When news of Pogacar's flat tire trickled through, Bjerg was still riding at the head of the front of the peloton. "I'm a bit disappointed with the situation. If Visma and Alpecin immediately take the lead when Tadej has a flat tire, you also think they are running on too small shoes," he cited.

"I was driving in the lead when it happened, and they had overtaken me within a second. It wasn't like: 'Oh dear, what's going on?' But it could also be that I'm just a bad loser," Bjerg adds.

"It's a good situation for them," Bjerg adimtted. "The group is divided. It's just unfortunate. I hate losing. I wanted to finish well, and I'm just happy he finished second. It's always nice to take something home, but that's not what we're here for," said the Dane, his feelings speaking for themselves.