Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Cycling News
Cycling News
Sport
Matilda Price

'A few so-called experts had an opinion' – Mathieu van der Poel defends Flanders power numbers and working with Tadej Pogačar ahead of Paris-Roubaix rematch

van der Poel Tadej Pogačar Mathieu van der Poel Roubaix Flanders AlpecinPremier Tech Jasper Philipsen
Alpecin-Premier Tech's Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel arrives at the start of the men elite 'Middelkerke-Wevelgem - In Flanders Fields' one day cycling race, 240.8 km from Middelkerke to Wevelgem, on March 29, 2026. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT.

Defending champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has the chance to make history at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, potentially becoming only the third rider to win the race four times, and the first to do so consecutively.

Winner in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Van der Poel currently ties Francesco Moser on wins – the Italian also took his trio in consecutive years – but would match Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen on four if he wins on Sunday.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
That Cute Squishy Toy Contains Water Beads — CPSC Says Stop Using It
A colorful squishy toy that looks like an innocent stress reliever may hide something parents cannot see: expandable water beads. About 37,000 Squishy Dumpling and Crazy Squib Ball toys were recalled on October 1 after regulators determined that their water beads could expand beyond federal limits and create a potentially…
Kids Ain't Cheap
Kids Ain't Cheap
103-year-old World War II veteran still runs a basement bar in Maryland that would be illegal to open today
At 103, World War II veteran Irvin Koch is still behind the counter at Irv’s Basement Bar in Maryland, a watering hole he has run since 1963. But there is a surprising reason his unusual home-based bar has survived for more than six decades: modern zoning rules would make it…
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Travis Barker hospitalised
Travis Barker has shared photos from hospital, where his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, and daughter, Alabama Barker, were by his side.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Man goes to Tim Hortons and sees some Harry Potter-themed donuts. Then he takes a closer look: ‘I was deeply concerned’
Those are definitely not going to the Hogwarts feast!
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ex-Dunkin’ worker says her paycheck was withheld. Then she airs alleged dirty laundry about drinks, creamers, and more: ‘When you’re not looking’
She allegedly was treated differently after getting a new job
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ultraprocessed Meal Raised Insulin More Than a Calorie-Matched Whole-Food Meal in Small Virginia Tech Brain Imaging Trial
Two 300-calorie meals with matching nutrients drew different insulin and metabolic responses in a small Virginia Tech trial. Here is what it means.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play