The hell of the north is approaching (April 13) and its main protagonists are not yet ready, from there to imagine a redistribution of the cards, the road is long but Mathieu Van Der Poel, double title holder has just announced his withdrawal on a 3rd consecutive Cyclo Cross, Wout Van Aert has just won his first two CX of the winter, the first without really impressing, the second by flying over the race. For other outsiders like Mads Pedersen or Arnaud De Lie, the road season has not yet resumed.
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Mathieu Van der Poel injured his ribs in recent days, Wout Van Aert rubs his hands and wins two consecutive cyclo crosses, while Mads Pedersen, Arnaud De Lie and the other contenders for victory over the Hell of the North wonder if their turn will perhaps come in 2025?
The opposite scenario of 2023 and 2024?
In the last two years it was Wout Van Aert who experienced bad luck with a puncture in the finale in 2023 and a fall on “Across Flanders” in 2024 which deprived him of Enfer du Nord, then in 2025 , the Belgian surely hopes that the wheels will turn for him. His great rival, Mathieu Van der Poel, superior in their only clash of the winter so far, then injured his ribs and must therefore give up their next duel. Of course it is a little early to talk about disruption in his preparation for the classics and it is a safe bet that the grandson of Raymond Poulidor will once again be World Cyclo Cross Champion in a few weeks, however, a new fall or a sudden movement that weakens its coasts in the coming days could have a big impact on its 2025 classics campaign.
The year of the sprinters?
Absent in 2024, announced in 2025, Arnaud De Lie will be one of the great attractions of the legendary northern race and will represent a great danger due to his burst of speed and his enthusiasm. Another fast runner, Mads Pedersen, already announced among the favorites last year, finally 3rd, could get closer to victory by saving his strength for longer (The Dane has often attacked from afar in the 2024 classics and sometimes alone). Let’s not also forget Mathieu Van Der Poel’s teammate, the great sprinter Jasper Philipsen, 2nd in 2023 and 2024, more than a luxury teammate, winner of Milan San Remo and therefore with 2 podiums in Roubaix, he has serious arguments to assert oneself in the event of failure or problem for its leader.
A surprise from youth?
What if victory went to a less watched and younger rider? Tom Pidcock, Madis Mihkels (10th in 2024) or even Laurence Pithie (7th in 2024), all three can dream of a big boost in the event of scoring or poor performance by the big favorites.
You still don’t know who will win Paris Roubaix 2025? Neither do we. Verdict on April 13!
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