The most violent attack in the history of Paris-Roubaix: Mathieu van der Poel accelerates on the cobbled sector of Orchies at 60 km/h. 🚀 He literally left everyone in the dust today. #ParisRoubaix
Vermeersch saw firsthand "phenomenal acceleration" Van der Poel: "That video went viral"
CyclingThursday, 14 November 2024 at 16:47
It all looks impressive on TV very quickly, but how do riders in the peloton actually experience an attack by Mathieu van der Poel? Gianni Vermeersch was on the front row in this year's Paris-Roubaix when his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate and leader launched his decisive acceleration.
Vermeersch, who had a fantastic race that day and finished sixth, tells Wielerrevue how impressive the punch was, with which Van der Poel rushed away from everyone else. "Yes, that attack by Mathieu... I rode in the lead because I announced I would set the pace as high as possible from there. I knew that attack was coming, but not exactly where. I thought the pace was pretty high, but how fast Mathieu rushed by..."
The world champion did it just under sixty kilometers from the line, on the cobblestones of Orchies. Vermeersch immediately realized that his leader had started a big solo. "Then you immediately know little chance that someone will close the gap. It didn't scare me too much, no. I have seen him perform similar attacks during training sessions. His acceleration is simply phenomenal. That video went viral, and I still watch it on Instagram sometimes."
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Paris-Roubaix with Van der Poel was highlight for Vermeersch
That Jasper Philipsen eventually - for the second year in a row - provided a 1-2, and Vermeersch finished sixth, made it an unforgettable day for Alpecin-Deceuninck and the Belgian himself. "Paris-Roubaix 2024 is one of the highlights of my career. I was already eleventh in 2023. OK, but eleventh or tenth is still a big difference. This year, I finished sixth, which made the euphoria of the first two places even more intense. One of the most beautiful moments was when I fell into Jasper and Mathieu's arms on the piste. That picture is not hanging above my bed but will get a nice spot somewhere in the house."
For Van der Poel, the win in Paris-Roubaix was his second in a row and a very special one. The Dutch rider also won the E3 and the Tour of Flanders this season and continued his classic campaign with a solid third place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Add to that the second place in Gent-Wevelgem (behind Mads Pedersen) and his starring role for Philipsen in Milan-Sanremo, and you can consider a nearly perfect spring.
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024