UAE Team Emirates-XRG has addressed the rumours swirling around Tadej Pogačar potentially taking part in Paris-Roubaix this year. The speculation was ignited by a social media post from Pogačar showing his reconnaissance of the Arenberg Forest sector, prompting a mix of reactions. Jasper Philipsen, the 2024 runner-up, humorously commented ‘Please Not’ on Pogačar’s Instagram post. Meanwhile, former cycling legends, including Francesco Moser, discuss in Gazzetta dello Sport the chance of Pogačar’s victory in Roubaix’s velodrome.
However, the team’s perspective, shared during the ongoing Tour of Oman, presents a different picture. Marco Marcato, a former Classics specialist, commented in Nieuwsblad, “Fabio Baldato, like myself a sports director at UAE, organised the reconnaissance. He was there to support Tadej and Tim [Wellens].” Marcato further clarified, “I can’t talk too much about the reconnaissance itself, but I can say that Paris-Roubaix is still not on Tadej’s programme.”
Florian Vermeesch, who was the runner-up in Roubaix in 2021 and recently joined UAE, shared his amusement at the buzz surrounding Pogačar’s potential participation. Speaking to Nieuwsblad, Vermeesch stated, “Of course, that’s a bit of a teaser. I thought it was funny to see all the reactions to it, but I don’t think he deliberately wants to scare everyone.” He added, “He himself realises that he was riding on a part of cycling history in Arenberg. They did two days of recons, one for the Tour of Flanders, the other day for Paris-Roubaix. It would have been a bit stupid to fly there for just one day. And when you recon, you also train.”
Photo Credit: GettyDespite these assurances, some, like former winner Servais Knaven, remain sceptical. Knaven told Nieuwsblad, “Why else would you ride on Roubaix cobbles on February 9? He’s surprised us before.” Further, an article in Gazzetta dello Sport by Moser explores this possibility. Moser recounts a conversation with his children sparked by Pogačar’s Arenberg Forest video, noting, “I know that at the moment Paris-Roubaix is not part of the 2025 racing plans of the World Champion, but a doubt comes to me: he did a real survey, all sectors, maybe he will try this year.”
Moser also posed the question many are asking: Can the Slovenian win Roubaix? His answer: “Yes, why wouldn’t he?” Reflecting on Pogačar’s performances in the Tour of Flanders, where he finished fourth once and won another time, even outperforming Mathieu Van der Poel, Moser said, “Of course, it’s not the same type of race, the pavé is different, but it is also proof that Tadej can be competitive in those Monuments of the North.”
Further analysing the Monuments, Moser suggested that Milan-San Remo might pose a greater challenge for Pogačar than Paris-Roubaix. “I think San Remo could be the most difficult for him to conquer. He has already tried several times without succeeding because I think he mistimes his attack, on the Poggio he goes too early and not in the right place.” Moser also speculated about Pogačar’s potential change in strategy, asking, “And if, having raced Flanders, what if he were to decide to use his form from that race and go straight onto Roubaix, perhaps sacrificing one of the Ardennes Classics?”
