Mathieu van der Poel defends Paris-Roubaix title with record-breaking solo attack

Mathieu van der Poel made history on April 7, 2024, by defending his Paris-Roubaix title with a stunning solo attack that shattered his own record time. The Dutch world champion, aged 29, launched his decisive move 60km from the finish and crossed the line almost three minutes ahead of his previous record.

This victory marked Van der Poel’s sixth win in a Monument race, solidifying his status as one of the greatest cyclists of his generation. Speaking after the race, he expressed his joy and satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was super motivated this year, I wanted to show off the [rainbow] jersey [as world champion] in a nice way. It goes beyond expectations. I am lost for words to be honest with you, but I am really enjoying this moment.”

The Paris-Roubaix race, known for its challenging cobblestone sections, saw several crashes and incidents, including a serious injury to Belgian rider Wout van Aert. Despite the dangers, Van der Poel’s Alpecin-Deceuninck team protected him throughout the race, allowing him to launch his winning attack at the perfect moment.

In a thrilling finish at the Roubaix velodrome, Van der Poel crossed the line in a record-breaking time of five hours 25 minutes 58 seconds. His teammate Jasper Philipsen claimed second place, with Denmark’s Mads Pedersen finishing third in a sprint finish.

The British contingent also had a strong showing, with Fred Wright finishing 13th and Tom Pidcock placing 17th on his senior debut. However, there was disappointment for Josh Tarling, who was disqualified for receiving an illegal tow from his team car.

Van der Poel’s dominance in Paris-Roubaix cements his status as a cycling legend, and fans will be eagerly anticipating his next performance in the upcoming Monument races.