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Tadej Pogačar, the 26-year-old Slovenian cyclist and reigning Tour de France champion, is set to make his debut in the Paris-Roubaix on April 13, 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in his racing calendar, as he opts out of the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem to focus on both the Tour of Flanders and the grueling “Hell of the North.”
Paris-Roubaix is renowned for its challenging cobblestone sectors and unpredictable conditions, often leaving riders covered in mud and dust. Despite concerns from his UAE Team Emirates-XRG about the potential impact on his Tour de France preparations, Pogačar’s ambition to conquer this Monument is unwavering. His participation has ignited excitement among fans and experts alike, with Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, anticipating a thrilling “combat of the chiefs” featuring top contenders like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.
Pogačar’s versatility has been evident throughout his career, with victories in Il Lombardia, the Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Adding Paris-Roubaix to his palmarès would further cement his legacy in cycling history. Notably, he would be the first reigning Tour de France winner to compete in Paris-Roubaix since 1991, underscoring the rarity and significance of this endeavor.
As the race day approaches, anticipation builds to see how Pogačar’s climbing prowess and endurance will translate to the unforgiving cobblestones of northern France. Fans around the world eagerly await this monumental challenge, cheering, “HERE WE GO!”