At the 121st edition of Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) launched his decisive attack 60 kilometres before the finish: The Dutchman made an irresistible move on pave sector 13 and broke away behind his helpers. No rival was able to counter his attack, so Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Co. had to let go. The world champion then extended his lead more and more. In the end, he crossed the finish line three minutes ahead of his team-mate Jasper Philipsen. Mathieu van der Poel thus put on a true demonstration of power, while his team also celebrated a double victory and put on a strong performance.
Van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck in a league of their own
Team Alpecin-Deceuninck took the lead for long stretches of the race and set a very fast pace. The Belgian team wore down the competition. Mathieu van der Poel's attack 60 kilometres before the finish underlined the outstanding preparatory work of his helpers: no rider was able to parry his attack. The top favourite then mastered all the other pavé sectors with ease, while his pursuers were unable to reduce the gap. In the end, there was a sprint between three chasers three minutes behind van der Poel. In this, van der Poel's team-mate Jasper Philipsen had the fastest legs, while Lidl-Trek's Pedersen took third place. The thankless fourth place went to Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates), who once again rode a strong classic.
I can hardly believe it. My team was perhaps even stronger this year than last. I'm very proud of the boys and happy to have made it. I felt really good today. - Mathieu van der Poel in the winner interview
Paris-Roubaix 2024: Results - the top 10
- Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 5:25:58
- Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +3:00
- Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) +3:00
- Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) +3:00
- Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) +3:15
- Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +3:47
- Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) +3:48
- Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:47
- Sören Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) +4:47
- Madis Mihkels (Intermarche-Wanty) +4:47
How Paris-Roubaix 2024 went
It took 25 kilometres on the 260-kilometre route from Compiegne to Roubaix for the first breakaway group to form: seven riders were in it, including Marco Haller from the German team Bora-Hansgrohe and Kasper Asgreen from Soudal - Quick Step. They got a maximum lead of one and a half minutes. After the first pavé sectors, however, the breakaway attempt was over: Team Alpecin-Deceuninck set the pace in the peloton.
The peloton tears apart
As a result, the peloton split into several parts due to the cobblestones, the high speed and the crosswinds. This led to the formation of a leading group of 30 riders, which included Mathieu van der Poel as well as the Germans Nils Politt and John Degenkolb (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL). Many other riders, such as Christophe Laporte (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Max Walscheid (Cofidis), who had thought they had a chance of finishing in the top places, missed the connection and played no role from then on.
In the forest of Arenberg, one of the most difficult pavé passages, the race situation in the leading group became confusing: several riders around Mads Pedersen, John Degenkolb and Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) had technical problems. Nils Politt, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) and Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took advantage of this. They rode ahead for a few kilometres, but were then caught again by the hard-working Lidl-Trek team.
Van der Poel's attack
With 60 kilometres to go, Mathieu van der Poel attacked decisively on a cobblestone sector and easily left his rivals behind. Whilst the Dutchman subsequently extended his lead and took the victory unchallenged, things got heated behind him:
A five-man chasing group formed around Nils Politt, Mads Pedersen, Jasper Philipsen and the two Groupama-FDJ riders Stefan Küng and Laurence Pithie. However, both riders from the French team had to let go with time, so that the remaining three riders decided the podium places among themselves.
Strong Politt finishes fourth
In the end, there was a sprint to the finish, which Nils Politt opened early. However, he then lacked the necessary punch, allowing Philipsen and Pedersen to pass him. In the end, Politt finished fourth and once again put in a strong performance.
