Mathieu van der Poel: I didn't have the legs to win Paris-Roubaix

ROUBAIX FRANCE APRIL 17 Mathieu Van Der Poel of Netherlands and Team AlpecinFenix reacts after cross the finishing line during the 119th ParisRoubaix 2022 Mens Elite a 2572km one day race from Compigne to Roubaix ParisRoubaix WorldTour on April 17 2022 in Roubaix France Photo by Bas CzerwinskiGetty Images
(Image credit: Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)

Mathieu van der Poel finished his spring campaign still searching for a Paris-Roubaix victory to add to his two titles at the Tour of Flanders, taking ninth place in the velodrome at the end of an eventful five-and-a-half hours in the saddle.

The Dutchman had gone into the race as the major favourite among the 175 starters, but ended up finishing 2:34 down on winner Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers).

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.