Sorry Canyon, Mathieu van der Poel doesn't want to ride the new Endurace for Paris-Roubaix

Mathieu van der Poel has opted to compete in the 2024 Paris-Roubaix on his trusted Canyon Aeroad CFR race bike rather than the newly launched Canyon Endurace CFR, which was specifically designed with the cobbled classic in mind. Despite Canyon’s recent unveiling of the Endurace model, touted as optimised for Roubaix with increased tyre clearance and a stiffer head tube, the three-time Paris-Roubaix champion has chosen to stick with the machine that has brought him multiple victories at the Hell of the North. This decision comes amid speculation about which bike Van der Poel would favour, especially given his history of success on the Aeroad. Van der Poel’s preference for the Aeroad appears rooted in its stiffness and race-ready characteristics, which suit his aggressive riding style and power output, particularly when standing out of the saddle. The Aeroad’s geometry and custom carbon layups, tailored specifically for Van der Poel by Canyon, seem to offer the performance edge he values. His teammate Jasper Philipsen, in contrast, will race on the new Endurace CFR, highlighting a split within the team regarding equipment choices. The team remained discreet about Van der Poel’s bike choice prior to the race, but a check of the team cars confirmed that Van der Poel’s race fleet consisted solely of Aeroad frames. The technical distinctions between the two Canyon models are notable, with the Endurace designed to handle rough terrain better due to its greater tyre clearance and enhanced frame stiffness in key areas. However, Van der Poel’s reluctance to switch may reflect a broader trend among elite racers who prefer to rely on proven equipment, especially when it has delivered consistent results in previous editions of Paris-Roubaix. Canyon claims the Endurace is only marginally less aerodynamic than the Aeroad, but for a rider of Van der Poel’s calibre, even minor differences in feel and responsiveness can be decisive. Van der Poel’s setup also diverges from his main rivals, as he will run a double Dura-Ace chainset, unlike Tadej Pogačar and Wout van Aert, who opt for single chainring configurations. This choice underscores Van der Poel’s individual approach to gearing and bike handling in one of cycling’s most demanding races. As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on whether his faith in the Aeroad will pay off once again as he pursues a historic fourth Paris-Roubaix victory.