KoMs, 'paradise' and 100K+ kudos: the Strava activity of Wout van Aert's Paris-Roubaix victory

Wout van Aert’s triumphant victory at Paris-Roubaix has been immortalised not only in the record books but also on Strava, where the Belgian champion shared his race data under the evocative title “L’Enfer du Nord mène au paradis” (“The Hell of the North leads to paradise”). This poignant message, accompanied by a gesture pointing skyward, paid tribute to his late teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically died during the 2018 edition of the race. Van Aert’s Strava activity, paired with that of runner-up Tadej Pogačar, offers a rare glimpse into the intense battle between two of cycling’s biggest stars on one of the sport’s most iconic and grueling courses. Van Aert’s data reveals an extraordinary performance, highlighted by multiple King of the Mountains (KoM) segments, including the seldom-contested Briastre sector and the punishing 80km stretch from Hornaing to Roubaix. His average speed of 48.9kph over the 258km distance, completed in just over five hours and sixteen minutes, reflects a blistering pace rarely seen in the monument classic. Pogačar, despite finishing second, also claimed several KoMs, sharing some of these with Van Aert’s teammate Christophe Laporte and other top contenders, underscoring the fierce competition throughout the race’s cobbled sectors. The Strava entries have attracted significant attention, with Van Aert’s ride earning over 119,000 kudos and Pogačar’s more than 75,000, demonstrating the widespread admiration for their efforts. However, fans were left wanting more technical insight, as neither rider disclosed their power output figures, which would have provided deeper understanding of the physical demands endured during the race. While Pogačar has occasionally shared his wattage data in the past, the specifics remain closely guarded, likely due to their value as trade secrets in professional cycling. Looking ahead, both riders are expected to take some time to recover from their exertions before resuming their racing schedules. Pogačar is preparing for Liège-Bastogne-Liège next Sunday, while Van Aert’s next confirmed appearance is at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes in June. Their performances at Paris-Roubaix have not only cemented their status among the elite but also set the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the season.