Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert ended his long quest for victory at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, narrowly defeating world champion Tadej Pogacar in an exhilarating sprint finish after a grueling day on the cobbled roads.
The 31-year-old rider battled harsh conditions and overcame setbacks, including a puncture, while Pogacar and rival Mathieu van der Poel also encountered mechanical troubles during the race. Van der Poel, who suffered two bike issues, was unable to challenge in the final sprint.
Despite the chaos, Van Aert maintained his strength through the demanding cobblestone sectors and perfectly timed his effort, unleashing his signature burst of speed inside the Roubaix Velodrome to claim victory. This marked his second Monument win, following his Milan–San Remo triumph in 2020.
Fellow Belgian Jasper Stuyven secured third place, finishing 13 seconds behind, while Van der Poel came in fourth after losing considerable time due to mechanical problems.
In a significant development after the race, Van Aert described the victory as a dream fulfilled, revealing that he had moments of doubt due to previous disappointments but persevered to achieve this milestone. He dedicated the win to his late former teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically died during the 2018 edition of the race.
Van Aert also noted that defeating the reigning world champion in a sprint made the accomplishment even more meaningful.
Pogacar, who had already claimed victories at Milan–San Remo and the Tour of Flanders this season, was aiming to become the first Tour de France winner since 1981 to also win Paris-Roubaix but ultimately fell just short.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Germany’s Franziska Koch emerged victorious in a sprint finish ahead of Dutch legend Marianne Vos, with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot also among the contenders during the final moments.
