'Winning this race means basically everything to me' – Wout van Aert conquers bad luck to finally triumph at Paris-Roubaix

Wout van Aert finally secured his first victory at Paris-Roubaix after years of near misses and misfortune, cementing his status among cycling’s elite. The Belgian rider overcame a series of setbacks that had previously denied him success in the ‘Hell of the North’, including punctures, crashes, and illness. On Sunday, he managed to stay clear of major issues while his key rivals, notably Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, faced mechanical problems and punctures, allowing Van Aert to take control of the race in its critical phases and ultimately out-sprint Pogačar on the Roubaix Velodrome. Van Aert’s triumph was shaped by both tactical acumen and resilience, honed through multiple attempts at the race. He and Pogačar broke away with around 50 kilometres remaining, and despite a fierce attack from the Slovenian champion near the Carrefour de l’Arbre sector, Van Aert stayed firmly on his wheel. Confident in his sprinting ability after such a gruelling race, Van Aert bided his time before launching the decisive move in the final metres, securing a memorable win against one of the sport’s greatest talents. The victory held profound personal significance for Van Aert, who dedicated it to his late teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically died during the 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix. Passing the sector where Goolaerts collapsed during this year’s race gave the win an emotional resonance for Van Aert, who described the moment as a source of extra motivation. This connection added a poignant layer to the achievement, highlighting the human stories that often underpin the sport’s toughest races. The reception from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive, with Van Aert receiving rare acclaim for a non-French winner at Roubaix. His perseverance and sportsmanship have earned him widespread respect, and this victory completes a long-standing personal ambition. Looking ahead, Van Aert’s success at Paris-Roubaix adds to his impressive palmarès and sets the stage for continued rivalry with Pogačar and others in the Monument classics, signalling that he remains a formidable force in the world of professional cycling.