The news. Tadej Pogacar is testing himself on the Paris-Roubaix pavé and is setting exceptional times. As published by Velon (the association that groups almost all the strongest teams in the world and provides real-time data on riders' performances), the world champion has set the fastest Strava times on three Paris-Roubaix sections during a reconnaissance ride on Wednesday, including the Mons-en-Pévèle section, one of those "marked" with five stars by the French race organizers.

First premise. We know very well that times set in training, riding alone, have relative relevance compared to what the race will be, where - especially at Roubaix - one must deal with a thousand different factors.

Second premise. We know very well that not all riders make their numbers available, and therefore comparing their condition is obviously impossible.

The conclusion. The fact remains - and it is a considerable fact - that Tadej Pogacar is focusing on the Roubaix objective with great determination, continues to review the pavé sections, measure himself, and gain confidence. And he sends a clear signal to his rivals: on Sunday the 13th, they will definitely have to reckon with the world champion.

P.S. It is not exactly true that this is Pogacar's absolute debut on the stones: the Slovenian participated in the Roubaix juniors race in both 2015 and 2016. In 2015, he finished 30th. The following year, still among juniors, he completed his effort in thirteenth place in the group, 33 seconds behind the winner, the Dutchman Jarno Morbach. That day, among others, Eekhoff, Turgis, Kron, Philipsen, and Hirschi were racing - who finished in order behind the winner - but also Bissegger, Meeus, Gall, Wright, Bagioli, Reis, Brunel, and Pidcock, all in Pogacar's group and all currently in the peloton.