Pogačar goes down fighting after breathtaking Paris-Roubaix

World Champion finishes second, beaten in the sprint at the end of a thrilling race

News | Team –12th April 2026

Two participations in Paris-Roubaix and two second-place finishes for Tadej Pogačar.

The credit for breaking the World Champion’s streak of three Monument victories went to Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike), who won a two-man sprint at the end of a race full of twists and turns.

Pogačar arrived determined to conquer the only Monument missing from his palmarès, and his strong form was evident early on as UAE Team Emirates-XRG set a fierce pace with 150km to go, significantly reducing the peloton.

At 120km from the finish, the Slovenian suffered a front-wheel puncture. After initially taking a neutral service bike, he later received his team bike from the car and began a determined 20km chase back to the front of the race – rejoining just before the crucial Arenberg Forest sector.

The iconic cobbled section proved decisive for Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck), who was delayed by a double puncture. Despite trailing by over two minutes, the Dutch rider launched an impressive comeback, closing to within 30 seconds of the leaders and eventually finishing fourth.

Following further mechanical issues – a bike change for Pogačar and a puncture for Van Aert – the pair launched a decisive attack in the Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée sector with 54km remaining. From there, they rode clear together all the way to the Roubaix velodrome, where Van Aert produced a flawless sprint to take victory, leaving the World Champion in second place.

Tadej Pogačar: “I’m proud of the whole team. It was a very difficult race — I had to change bikes twice and we spent a lot of energy chasing back, so we couldn’t follow our original plan. Still, I managed to get back to the front of the race.

When Wout attacked, I was able to follow him, but I didn’t have enough freshness in my legs to really drop him on the cobbles. I tried to counter-attack, but he rode very smart. We worked well together to the finish.

I knew he is very fast, so the sprint was always going to be difficult for me. I gave my best, but he was stronger today and deserved the win. I’m still proud and happy with the result.”

Results

1.Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike) – 5:16:52

2.Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) s.t

3.Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) – +13″