Mathieu van der Poel says he is ‘100% ready for Paris-Roubaix’ after helping Jasper Philipsen at Scheldeprijs

Mathieu van der Poel says he is “100% ready” for Paris-Roubaix after playing leadout duties at Scheldeprijs on Wednesday. Van der Poel did some of the early leadout work for Alpecin-Deceuninck team-mate Jasper Philipsen, who beat Team DSM’s Sam Welsford and Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team) in a bunch sprint. Ad The Dutchman has a career-best finish of third at Paris-Roubaix where he lost out to Sonny Colbrelli in one of the modern great Monument races.

Paris — RoubaixParis–Roubaix 2023: All you need to know ahead of 'Hell of the North'04/04/2023 AT 13:00 “It was definitely the best choice to start,” Van der Poel told Het Niewsblad after Schldeprijs. “A 200km race with a strong team is better preparation than a training ride. I always found the gap between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix difficult, so this Wednesday race was ideal.

“The team did a fantastic job and we actually always stayed out of trouble. I am 100% ready for Paris-Roubaix.” Van der Poel is set to go head-to-head against Wout van Aert this Sunday at Paris-Roubaix, which will be live across Eurosport, discovery+ and GCN. Mads Pedersen, Filippo Ganna and Matej Mohoric are also likely to be among the contenders and Philipsen has admitted Alpecin-Deceuninck will be working completely for Van der Poel.

“Paris-Roubaix is the last race of my spring and Mathieu is in super shape,” he said. “We will try to lead him to victory by entering the final with as many riders up front as possible. Two years ago I was in the early break and I was able to fulfil that task.” Exclusive: ‘My family thought I was dead’ – Colbrelli reflects on collapse scare Wiebes lands Scheldeprijs hat-trick as SD Worx dominate again Eurosport’s 2023 cycling coverage will bring you