A driving error by Tadej Pogacar is punished immediately

Mathieu van der Poel (NL/Alpecin) got off his bike, tore it up on the finish line and let himself be celebrated in the Roubaix bike – shortly afterwards the beaten Tadej Pogacar (Slo/Emirates) fought after a bitter race: van der Poel has been in the « Hell of the north » one after the other Crowned. Pogacar was not up to the 30-year-old power in his excited debut at Paris-Roubaix, also because he made a serious driving error.

After 259.2 kilometers, van der Poel referred the Slovenia to second. Pogacar’s gap at the end. Third place went to the 122nd edition of the classic to the Danish ex-world champion Mads Pedersen (Lidl/to 2’11  »).

Record hunter van der Poel grabbed his third paving stone in the solo and swung up to the first driver since the Italian Francesco Moser (winner from 1978-1980), who successfully defended his title twice in a row. Pogacar, who had hit the Dutch last week on the Tour of Flanders, has to continue to wait for the fulfillment of his dream.

So far, the world champion has won three of the five monuments, the most important one-day race on cycling-he was not yet successful at Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix. On Sunday, he was fatal to him on his hunt for another big win: 38 km before the end, Pogacar taxed himself in a right -hand bend. He fell and had to let Van der Poel stuck in the private duel of the top favorites.

Pedersen in the bad luck

Around 11.30 a.m., the drivers had fallen into hunting through the north of France. The feared heavy rain during the race failed to materialize, but the streets were still moist from previous rainfall. When the field reached the first of the dreaded Pavés after almost 100 km, it became hectic on the greasy surface. The mandatory falls and defects did not fail to materialize, but there was no great drama.

Tour-de-France winner Pogacar had the muscles played for the first time 103 km before the finish. However, his opponents were on the hat – the big names raced almost closed to the notorious key point in the Trouée d’Arenberg. After his hopes had to bury his hopes after a bitter defect, only Van der Poel, his team -mate Jasper Philipsen (b) and Pogacar, remained 70 km before the finish. The pursuers bit their teeth on the deficit that was quickly over a minute; Philipsen, who had fallen early, finally fell back 45 km before the end.

The private duel of the top favorites dreamed by the fans picked up speed. But shortly afterwards Pogacar underestimated a curve and had to let van der Poel go. The Dutch was neither deterred by a disrespectful viewer who threw a drinking bottle in the face, nor of a defect in the final phase.

Kluckers jumps to the rear wheel

When Arthur Kluckers reached the goal, van der Poel was a little more than twelve minutes at the finish line. However, the Luxembourg does not have to be ashamed. The Tudor professional can be satisfied with its premiere. The 74th place is worth all honors. Kluckers finished with a larger group, which sprinted for 55 rank.

The Luxembourg appeared at the beginning of the race. Jonas Abrahamsen (N/Uno-X) was the first attacker of the day after just one racing kilometer. In front of his attack, he exchanged a few versatile looks with Kluckers, who then immediately jumped to the back wheel of the Norwegian. The joint advance was not successful. Kluckers drove attentively and was still seen on the back wheel of the top favorites after the first pavés.

Then he was braked suddenly: a fall in front of him occurred 135 kilometers before the finish. Kluckers couldn’t avoid on the narrow street and had to go to the ground. He was able to continue, but the Hatz cost grains and Pogacar and Co. pressed the accelerator on the accelerator.

The Slovenian failed with his project. But he delivered a spectacular show. Pogacar got a taste. All is happy – also van der Poel.