Pogačar on Van der Poel after their brilliant duel in Roubaix: "If I were a child, he would be my idol"

Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Poga?ar gave us an unforgettable Paris-Roubaix, but a mistake from the World Champion robbed us of the ending that most were expecting. Still, Pogacar finished second in his debut at the Roubaix velodrome, and in his post-race statements and reflections, we can appreciate the greatness of the Slovenian.

Pogacar after finishing second at Roubaix: "Can I win? I think so. I finished second in my first participation."

Despite the fall and cramps, Poga?ar did not give up. He chased Van der Poel to the Roubaix velodrome, where he finally crossed the finish line 1:18 behind the Dutchman, who celebrated his third consecutive victory in the 'Hell of the North'.

After the race, the Slovenian had only words of admiration for his rival.

"He is a great champion and one of the best cyclists in the world. Competing against him is a great honor," declared the Slovenian. "I always say, if I were a kid competing now, he would be my idol, so racing against him gives me extra motivation."

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At the finish line, Poga?ar confessed that it was one of the toughest races he has ever done in his life: "You think it's a completely flat race, but in terms of power, I think it's the toughest race I've ever done in my life." "Plus, there's the stress of the cobblestones on your body. It was definitely one of the toughest, most demanding, and brutal races I've done. But I think I gained experience, so maybe next time it won't be so extreme."

With 38 km to go, Pogacar fell in a curve where he tried to follow the line of the motorcycle in front of him, the problem was that the motorcycle did not plan to take the curve but continue straight. "What have I learned? That there is a right turn 38 kilometers away. I misjudged the curve." "When you're at your limit and there are motorcycles in front of you that don't turn, you also think there's no curve. But I should know that there is a curve, so there are no excuses."

Asked if he will try to win in Roubaix again, the Slovenian was clear. "Can I win? I think so. I finished second in my first participation, so I can also fight for victory. Next year? Maybe. I don't know yet."

"It has been a great race for our team with the second place and the fifth thanks to Florian Vermeersch. It's good to have two guys in the top 5, and I think we can come back next year with a strong and motivated team to fight for victory."

The Slovenian will return to Monaco tonight on a private flight, before facing the Ardennes classics triple: Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallonne, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.