Question Who will win Paris Roubaix 2026?

[canina82]

Not Van der Poel as he hurt himself more than Pogi.

I think Pogi's only real luck apart from that in MSR was that no team understood the assignment on Cipressa. Ride fast and block the road (I know that those two in combination are hard to accomplish but nobody did much to prevent him from getting to the front really easily and quickly).

We will never know how bad he was but let's not assume he was more hurt than Pogacar.
For example, the eye test clearly says the opposite, even Pogacar told to his team he hit his knee really bad when he crashed.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

According to all known laws of cycling, there is no way Pogacar should be able to win Roubaix. His legs are too small to get his skinny little body over the cobbles. Pogacar, of course, will win Roubaix anyway, because Pogacar doesn't care what physics thinks is impossible.

 

[tobydawq]

We will never know how bad he was but let's not assume he was more hurt than Pogacar.
For example, the eye test clearly says the opposite, even Pogacar told to his team he hit his knee really bad when he crashed.

The eye test told me that Pogacar could ride as fast over the hills as last year and that Van der Poel couldn't.

 

[Peter von]

I vote Phillipsen, I just have this idea that he is going to win it one year because MVP slows down the front for tactical reasons and JP is dragged to the velodrome and wins the sprint.

vaguely similar to the 2024 edition of Milano-San Remo, but of cause totally different.

 

[canina82]

The eye test told me that Pogacar could ride as fast over the hills as last year and that Van der Poel couldn't.

And I can always say: "Imagine what he could do without his crash".
Despite his crash, MVP beated his time on Cipressa.

This can go both ways and I think we will never agree. My point is, Pogacar wasn't lucky in MSR and this is very obvious. Those who claim he was, are for sure his main detractors here on the forum. Unfortunately I can't write names.

 

[Berniece]

And I can always say: "Imagine what he could do without his crash".
Despite his crash, MVP beated his time on Cipressa.

This can go both ways and I think we will never agree. My point is, Pogacar wasn't lucky in MSR and this is very obvious. Those who claim he was are for sure his main detractors here on the forum. Unfortunately I can't write names.

I don't think the crash itself had much of an impact on their physical capabilities, but it changed how the race had to be approached. Instead of MVDP only having to fight his way up the Cipressa, he first had to fight his way back to the front of the peloton and then fight his way up the Cipressa. It cost him way more effort and energy, which he could've used on the Poggio.

 

[tobydawq]

And I can always say: "Imagine what he could do without his crash".
Despite his crash, MVP beated his time on Cipressa.

This can go both ways and I think we will never agree. My point is, Pogacar wasn't lucky in MSR and this is very obvious. Those who claim he was, are for sure his main detractors here on the forum. Unfortunately I can't write names.

I'm certainly not one of his main detractors, but it was quite obvious to me that the only really important factor in MSR was whether Van der Poel was on the top of his game or not. And he didn't seem like he was.

 

[canina82]

I'm certainly not one of his main detractors, but it was quite obvious to me that the only really important factor in MSR was whether Van der Poel was on the top of his game or not. And he didn't seem like he was.

For me there are 2 reasons that show he was "1% off":
1 - He went too deep in TA
2 - He didn't recover well enough after Cipressa because Pogacar went faster on the descent and MVP didn't have a guy like Ganna in front of him or 2 places in front of him. So he "ate more wind".

 

[Didinho]

I always name another surprise rider for the win than the obvious favorites. For this I say De Lie. Don’t know how he rides the flat cobbles but if he’s got a good day maybe top 10 or so.

Or an early abandon. You never know with him. Just happy to see him on the startlist, hope he can show something.

 

[Berniece]

I always name another surprise rider for the win than the obvious favorites. For this I say De Lie. Don’t know how he rides the flat cobbles but if he’s got a good day maybe top 10 or so.

Or an early abandon. You never know with him. Just happy to see him on the startlist, hope he can show something.

I would be surprised if he rides top 20 without issues. No clue what's going on with him. Will be good if he changes environment at the end of the year

 

[Didinho]

I would be surprised if he rides top 20 without issues. No clue what's going on with him. Will be good if he changes environment at the end of the year

Haven’t seen him race flat cobbles before. Normally when he’s 100% this should suit him a lot. But he always got some bad luck when I expect him to be in front. Just want to have another rider capable of going for the win in Roubaix. The more the better.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

De Lie had like a billion punctures in Denain and when you see his riding style you get why. He rides like he‘s trying to smash his wheels into the cobbles.

 

[Red Lobster]

A vote for WVA ... mostly because it's just exhausting having to vote for either Pogacar or MVDP in every freaking poll (but also because I'd like to see him win).

 

[Valv.Piti]

Ah yes, the classic "Pogacar is just lucky".

What world are you living in?

 

[Escarabajo]

At least 6 of us were correct. I just had a gut feeling TBH. Anything can happen in Paris-Roubaix so I thought it was time for MvDP to have a mishap. As for Pogacar he has to arrive alone which is still hard to do in this race for a rider like him. The next favorite was WVA so i voted for him. LOL.

 

[canina82]

Ah yes, the classic "Pogacar is just lucky".

What world are you living in?

It's copium mate. Just switch the "just lucky" with "preposterously strong" and you have the truth.

 

[Valv.Piti]

With three punctures today he was very lucky. Could have thrown 2'15 in Arenberg after a Vingegaard 2022 esque sequence like MVDP. Once again outlucking his opponents

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

At least 6 of us were correct. I just had a gut feeling TBH. Anything can happen in Paris-Roubaix so I thought it was time for MvDP to have a mishap. As for Pogacar he has to arrive alone which is still hard to do in this race for a rider like him. The next favorite was WVA so i voted for him. LOL.

I voted for him just because I was being hopeful.

 

[Berniece]

With three punctures today he was very lucky. Could have thrown 2'15 in Arenberg after a Vingegaard 2022 esque sequence like MVDP. Once again outlucking his opponents

Lucky his biggest opponent did even worse

 

[Wyndbrook]

I was wrong, but I'm glad I was.

 

[Red Rick]

With three punctures today he was very lucky. Could have thrown 2'15 in Arenberg after a Vingegaard 2022 esque sequence like MVDP. Once again outlucking his opponents

First puncture he loses a minute but everyone just kindly waits for him. Then his main rival punctures in the forest and never sees the front again.

2nd puncture he immediately gets between the cars while Van Aert has to drag himself back to the front group without assistence.


You were asking which world we're living in? Planet Earth

 

[canina82]

First puncture he loses a minute but everyone just kindly waits for him. Then his main rival punctures in the forest and never sees the front again.

2nd puncture he immediately gets between the cars while Van Aert has to drag himself back to the front group without assistence.


You were asking which world we're living in? Planet Earth

First puncture and everyone goes mad at the front due to wind. Every UAE was in the front, except Pogacar... MVP would probably lose the race since Lidl, Visma and UAE were at the front.