Mathieu van der Poel has revealed his handlebars broke on a long cobblestone sector in the final kilometres of Le Samyn 2021.
Van der Poel looked to be the favourite heading into the final kilometres of the Belgian one-day race, as a reduced bunch stormed across the cobbles towards the finish after 200km of racing.
But as Van der Poel emerged at the front of the group on the final straight, TV images revealed the handlebars of his Canyon bike had snapped near the brake hood, leaving him unable to sprint for the finish.
After setting the pace into the final kilometre, Van der Poel sat up 500 metres from the line as his team-mate Tim Merlier came through with a sensational sprint to take the win.
As reported by cycling website Wielerflits, the Alpecin-Fenix rider said after the finish: “I was still very good myself, but I couldn't put in any force because my steering handlebars on that long cobblestone strip.
“In the last lap I jumped on everything and [Merlier] had to focus on the sprint. We then got away with a fairly dangerous group. It was actually silly that I had to play blocker there but I had no other choice. If my handlebars were normal, of course I would have ridden along.”
Van der Poel’s bars appear to have broken in the final few kilometres, as the 26-year-old formed part of a five-rider attack inside the final 3km, with his right handlebar starting to show signs of damage.
Then as the attack was reeled back just inside 2km, Van der Poel’s bars were visibly damaged as he could be seen talking to his team on the radio.
Van der Poel rolled across the line in 37th place, 15 seconds down on the winner.
Despite the misfortune, Van der Poel says he is “satisfied” as he leaves Belgium for Italy to compete in Strade Bianche this weekend.
He said: “The shape is good. Especially compared to last year, when I went to Strade Bianche, the difference is very big. I am fresher, and I have also been able to experience the cyclocross form, that also helps.”
-
-
Ben Swift successfully defends British National Road Race title
The Ineos rider outlasted Fred Wright on the Michaelgate climb to the finish line
By Jonny Long •
-
Pfeiffer Georgi wins British National Road Championships
The DSM rider attacked up the Michaelgate climb to seal the victory
By Jonny Long •
-
Mathieu van der Poel finishes in top-10 of all Monuments in just 14 months
The Dutch star is the second fastest rider ever to achieve the feat, behind Eddy Merckx
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel says he 'was the most broken of all' in Paris-Roubaix sprint
The Dutchman has now finished in the top-10 in each of the sport's five Monuments
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
'I think it would be quite cool if it rains': Mathieu van der Poel ready to take on the challenge at debut Paris-Roubaix
The Dutch rider comes into the 'Hell of the North' after a solid top 10 at the World Championships
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel will ride World Championships road race
The Dutch star has recovered from his back injury enough to compete for the rainbow bands
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel focussed on Paris-Roubaix, but coach holds his World Championships place
The Dutchman returned to action last Sunday at Antwerp Port Epic and now faces a race against time to be fit for the Worlds and Paris-Roubaix
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Mathieu van der Poel stuns with one-day race victory despite back injury
The Dutch superstar says chances of riding Paris-Roubaix and World Championships are 'now higher than 50/50'
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mathieu van der Poel cleared to race again as back injury threatens rest of 2021 season
The Dutchman still has big plans for the last few months of the year, but will his back hold up under the strain
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mathieu van der Poel signs contract extension with Alpecin-Fenix until 2025
The Dutchman has hinted that he may end up being a one-man team throughout his career
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
