Paris Roubaix 2026: Van der Poel says Pogacar can win anything

paris roubaix 2026 is shaping up around one clear duel: Mathieu Van der Poel against Tadej Pogacar, with the Dutch rider saying the Slovenian can now win almost any race. Speaking in the buildup to Sunday’s race, Van der Poel said he and his team will try to deliver their best as he chases a fourth straight Paris-Roubaix victory. He added that the race can turn on luck, positioning and the smallest mistake, especially on a day he expects to be fiercely contested.

Van der Poel sets the tone before Sunday

Van der Poel said Paris-Roubaix remains a race that suits him because it demands both power and handling, but he warned that nothing will come easy in paris roubaix 2026. He described the race as “more open” than the Tour of Flanders and said Pogacar will arrive with fewer certainties, while still posing a major threat.

“For me to beat him, I will have to be at my best level, ” Van der Poel said. “And even if that is the case, it is not a guarantee because Tadej is really very strong. ” He also said he does not believe it is possible to force Pogacar into one simple weakness, even if the cobbles and tight corners create chances.

Why the race could be decided in small details

Van der Poel said there are other riders to watch as well, naming Wout van Aert, Filippo Ganna and Mads Pedersen as serious contenders on the pavé. He stressed that luck remains part of the equation, and that any crash or mechanical problem can change the race quickly.

He pointed back to last year’s edition, when Pogacar was second behind him, and said that result showed the Slovenian is already capable of winning Paris-Roubaix. He also recalled Pogacar’s mistake in a corner last year, but said he is not sure pressing harder in the turns is the tactic he wants to use.

What Van der Poel is saying about Pogacar

Van der Poel was blunt when asked about the rising level of his rival. He said Pogacar may be “the best rider of all time, ” a remark that underlines how high the stakes are for paris roubaix 2026. He also said he wants to keep improving and prove he can still rise to the level needed on the hardest roads.

That confidence is paired with caution. Van der Poel said he trains on the northern route only once a year, usually during the official reconnaissance, because he prefers to avoid rough roads without a clear reason. In racing, he said, the speed, adrenaline and crowd make the pavé much more enjoyable than it is in training.

Paris-Roubaix turns 130 as the pressure builds

This year’s race also marks 130 years of Paris-Roubaix, adding another layer of history to a contest already loaded with expectation. The centenary and the local legacy of the race remain part of its identity, but this edition is being framed above all by the Van der Poel-Pogacar rivalry.

With paris roubaix 2026 set for Sunday, the immediate focus is on execution, endurance and avoiding errors on the pavé. If Van der Poel wants the rare fourth straight win, he said he will need everything to go right, and he knows Pogacar is coming in with the same ambition.