Van der Poel graciously congratulates Wout van Aert after Paris-Roubaix puncture-fest
CyclingSunday, 12 April 2026 at 17:44
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Follow us on GoogleA 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.
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"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.
Continue reading below the video!
Van der Poel: 'It's actually incredible that I'm still sprinting for the podium'
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."
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- - Pogacar cruising in the sprint didn’t surprise me, but Enric’s consistency is bonkers: 3x 2nd, 1x 3rd at La Vuelta, top-6 eight times in GTs… ¡Qué animal! If he keeps chipping seconds in the finales, cuidado. Vamos, Enric!raceready728-08-2026
- - Great read, but not sure I buy Bruyneel’s “that’s the podium” this early. Roglič tends to grow into week two, and Carapaz was clearly out of position today. One crosswind or a bad day and this flips. Still, Mas deserves props—he’s so often labelled conservative, yet he lit it up.samanthak28-08-2026
- - Is 46 seconds a lot in a Grand Tour context? Does that usually stick after a week or do they often get it back on later mountain stages or time trials?patriciaw28-08-2026
- - Mas finally showing teeth! Closing Pogacar on the climb was massive. If he keeps that wheel and times the sprint better, we’ve got a real GC duel brewing. Also, Pog’s little wobble on the descent… heart in mouth stuff.jeremya28-08-2026
- - Vamos Pog! Qué bestia. But ojo, WVA en verde mañana es bonito. Stage 7 sprint placement es malo para sprinters puros… veremos tácticas de Visma, si?breakawaybikerd28-08-2026
- - Love the analysis but the article mixed up jerseys a bit, right? It says “red jersey wearer” for Pogacar—should be yellow here, no? Still, Enric Mas hanging on was class. Rock-solid is spot on.julien28-08-2026
- - Visma need to pick a lane. Brennan and Laporte both racking up points is nice on paper, but it dilutes the lead-out and burns domestiques. Back Wout 100% or switch to Brennan if he’s climbing better—otherwise Pog grabs green by attrition.lindae28-08-2026
- - Quick question: how does the green jersey scoring work exactly? If Wout wins an intermediate sprint, is that really the same points as Pog winning the stage? Seems odd to me.patriciaw28-08-2026
- - Pog just toying with the field again. Third stage and he’s hoovering green points too… UAE nailed the timing on that final climb. Van Aert did what he could but 27 km from the finish for the int. sprint in Stage 7 is brutal for him.tourdeforce928-08-2026
- - Pog is incredible but sometimes too brave. On Spanish roads with that variable camber, a “gentle” turn can bite. Bueno espectáculo, pero cuidado tío!julien27-08-2026
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