Mathieu van der Poel shares his Paris-Roubaix recon on Strava
The Dutch star set a few KoMs on the iconic cobbles
Mathieu van der Poel has his eyes firmly focused on the road season as he hit the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix for a recon ride.
The Alpecin-Fenix rider took a trip into northern France on Monday (June 29) to ride the final 100km of the Monument with his team-mates and took a few Strava KoMs over the iconic farm tracks.
Starting at Wavrechain-sous-Denain,which appears just before the Haveluy-Wallers cobbled sector in the event, Van der Poel flew through the final 19 cobbled stretches of the race and was even able to complete a lap of the famous Roubaix velodrome.
The 25-year-old finished the 106km ride in three hours, averaging 290 watts for the duration and holding a staggering average speed of 35.5km/h.
On his way to Roubaix, Van der Poel topped a few Strava leaderboards, including a 240 metre stretch of the Templeuve cobbled sector, which he rode in 18 seconds, with an average power of 620w and holding a speed of 48.1km/h.
Van der Poel is also the fastest rider (on Strava) to complete the Pavé Bourghelles á Wannehain segments, covering the 1.18km in 1-40 with an average power of 491w.
The cyclocross world champion completed the rider with team-mates Jonas Rickaert, Kristian Sbaragli, Senne Leysen and Tim Merlier.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In January, the organisers of Paris-Roubaix extended a formal invite to Van der Poel’s team for the French one-day event, securing his debut ride.
Van der Poel missed out on the 2019 edition of the race when his Professional Continental outfit were not given a coveted wildcard spot.
The 2020 edition was initially scheduled to take place in its usual spot in April, but was then postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.
Instead the ‘Queen of the Classics’ has been moved to Sunday October 25, so it will now clash with the Vuelta.
Organiser ASO has also announced the first ever women’s edition of Paris-Roubaix, which will also be held on the same Sunday.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
The tech nerd's guide to the perfect coffee
Joe on Joe. What does it take to make a fine mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out.
By Joe Baker Published
-
From broken back to Paris-Roubaix podium: Bob Donaldson is making a statement
Second at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, just a year after his career was almost cut short, the young Brit is ready to turn pro
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'There's blood on my handlebars': Inside one rider's debut at Paris-Roubaix Juniors
Patrick Casey got his chance to ride the Hell of the North after going through the Red Bull Junior Brothers programme
By Adam Becket Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
Opinion: Mathieu van der Poel firmly grasps legend status with second Paris-Roubaix victory
Reigning world champion deserves his place alongside Roger de Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx as one of cycling’s greatest-ever one-day racers
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Van der Poel ‘in a different league’ at Paris-Roubaix, says Mads Pedersen
Former world champion forced to settle for third on the podium behind Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It’s a completely different beast’ - Tom Pidcock happy with top 20 finish after ‘epic’ Paris-Roubaix debut
British rider was unable to grip his handlebars properly in the finale as the last cobbled sectors arrived
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I just wanted to make it a hard final' - Mathieu van der Poel on 'unplanned' Paris-Roubaix winning attack
The world champion launched his race winning move on the Orchie cobbled sector, almost 60 kilometres from the Roubaix velodrome
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published