Mathieu Van der Poel conquers Paris-Roubaix!

Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck) wins Paris-Roubaix , the third monument classic of the season, covering 259.9 km.

In the early stages of the race an 8-man breakaway formed with Rutsch, Heiduk, Lazkano, Hoelgaard, Walker, De Buyst, Townsend and Stockman.

Along the first stretch of cobblestones, taken in the lead by Ineos Grenadiers, Filippo Ganna punctures and is forced into a long chase that ends 130 km from the finish.

In the Arenberg Forest Pogacar, Van der Poel and Pedersen extend their lead with about ten men and resume the initial breakaway. A few kilometres after the end of the stretch Van der Poel extends again, followed by Pedersen , Pogacar , Bisseger and Philipsen ; the 5 clearly extend their lead over the rest of the opponents who are cut off from the positions that count.

The race changed on the stretch from Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières : Pogacar attacked, Pedersen and Bisseger punctured and three remained in the lead. At the end of Mons-en-Pévèle Philipsen collapsed and dropped out.

At Pont-Thibault à Ennevelin Pogacar made a mistake on a curve and fell , without consequences, but Van der Poel thus gained an advantage of about twenty seconds.

The Dutchman constantly increases his lead, also thanks to a bike change by the UAE rider, and arrives at the velodrome alone. Pogacar is behind him, while Pedersen climbs onto the podium.

ORDER OF ARRIVAL:

1 VAN DER POEL Mathieu Alpecin - Deceuninck 5:31:27

2 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates - XRG 1:18

3 PEDERSEN Mads Lidl - Trek 2:11

4 VAN AERT Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike,,

5 VERMEERSCH Florian UAE Team Emirates - XRG ,,

6 RUTSCH Jonas Intermarché - Wanty 3:46

7 BISSEGGER Stefan Decathlon AG2R The World Team ,,

8 HOELGAARD Markus Uno-X Mobility,,

9 WRIGHT Fred Bahrain - Victorious 4:35

10 REX Laurenz Intermarché - Wanty 4:36

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency