Politt is Certain: "It's 110% certain Pogacar can win Roubaix, did you see him on the Kwaremont?"
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Follow us on GoogleNils Politt hopes to add a classics victory to his palmarès this weekend in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. However, the 30-year-old German from UAE Team Emirates-XRG knows that the competition within his own team is already tough.
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"I have to say, we’re lining up with a super strong team, but I hope to make the podium or fight for the win," Politt told Cyclingnews. Among his teammates at the start will be Tim Wellens, Jhonatan Narvaez, Florian Vermeersch, Antonio Morgado, and Mikkel Bjerg.
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Nils Politt
It's not hard to be good at Omloop
Politt has a strong track record at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, having finished in the top ten three times in the last four editions. However, the German has a clear explanation for that success. "It's not hard to focus on this race early in the season. If you have the form and the legs, it's not difficult at all," Politt claims.
Although the 30-year-old is eager to shine in Omloop, his main focus is set on goals later in the season. "Roubaix is definitely one of my biggest goals. It suits my strengths the best—it’s all flat roads, so it's all about power, and that suits me well."
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Pogacar fuelled the rumors with his visit to the Forest of Wallers
Politt is certain that Pogacar can win Roubaix
Whether Politt will also face his teammate Tadej Pogacar at Paris-Roubaix remains unclear after the Slovenian’s recent visit to the French cobbles. However, the German isn’t too concerned about his teammate’s decision. "If he doesn't do it, it gives me more chances. If Pogacar is at the start, he will be up there. Then our own goals take a back seat again."
Although he also sees advantages in having Pogacar in the race. "Sometimes, it’s actually easier to have him as the leader because it keeps you more focused. If he's at the front, you can relax a bit while also putting more pressure on the other rivals."
If the Slovenian world champion does take part, Politt predicts big things. "It’s 110% certain that he can win Roubaix. You saw him climb the Kwaremont [in the 2023 Tour of Flanders, ed.]—he passed me like he was on a motorbike. If he does the same thing on a sector like Mons-en-Pévèle in Paris-Roubaix, or any cobbled stretch that even slightly inclines… he can put immense power on the pedals. We are all learning from him, not the other way around.
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Politt with teeth bared
Politt must focus on Van der Poel
However, Mathieu van der Poel has been the true dominant force in the cobbled Monuments in recent years. Politt knows he must close the gap to the Dutchman if he wants to fight for victory this spring. "I wasn’t in the right position when Mathieu attacked in Roubaix, but he was probably too strong anyway. Three guys went full gas chasing him, and he still pulled away by three minutes. So I just hope I start this year’s race with super legs," concludes last year’s fourth-place finisher at Paris-Roubaix.
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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