Van der Poel graciously congratulates Wout van Aert after Paris-Roubaix puncture-fest

A beautiful image after Paris-Roubaix: three-time and outgoing winner Mathieu van der Poel was the first to congratulate Wout van Aert on his first Paris-Roubaix victory. The Dutchman from Alpecin-Premier Tech did not have luck on his side in northern France and ultimately finished fourth.

"I punctured twice in the Arenberg Forest and was riding two minutes behind, so then you know it's over. How did it happen? The same as for everyone — you hit a cobblestone," a matter-of-fact Van der Poel told Eurosport.

The Dutchman switched bikes with Jasper Philipsen, but had to get off again almost immediately. "We were riding with different pedals. I tried, but it didn't work. Normally I wouldn't take Jasper's bike either, but I think he wasn't feeling great. Unfortunately, it didn't help me much."

He eventually managed to continue, but a few metres further on it went wrong again. "Then I punctured again at the end of the Arenberg Forest. At that point my race was done," the Dutchman said.

What followed was a long chase. "I didn't fully believe in it any more, because I'd already had to burn so much energy just to get back. It's actually incredible that I'm still sprinting for the podium."

"I definitely had the legs to compete, but you also need luck in Roubaix," Van der Poel knows. "We could see them riding ahead, but I'd already fired my best shots. So it didn't help me. I would have liked to close out my spring with a victory, so it's a shame."

Yet Van der Poel wasted no time in congratulating Van Aert on his victory. "I think everyone is happy for Wout, including me. It's really nice for him."