Between speed and cobblestones, victory at Roubaix could come through the Philipsen-Van der Poel tandem. A dangerous pairing that could decide the fate of the race. In the current cycling landscape, Jasper Philipsen represents one of the most interesting evolutions: born as a pure sprinter, developed through sprint finishes and grand tours, today he has become a complete rider, capable of making an impact in the great Northern Classics as well. His ability on the stones, combined with his capacity to sprint after over 250 kilometers, makes him one of the most dangerous riders in the peloton. And Paris-Roubaix, where he finished second in 2023 and 2024 behind Van der Poel, could be the perfect terrain to definitively confirm his status.

His story is one of constant growth. From promising beginnings in Belgium to his first major victories, Philipsen has built step by step a solid reputation, ultimately exploding with his successes in the sprint finishes at the Tour de France. But it is on the cobblestones, in recent years, that he has added a new dimension to his profile, becoming one of the most anticipated riders at the Hell of the North. Not surprisingly, he arrives at the start with a different mindset: "I can't wait, Roubaix is one of the most beautiful and fun races of the year, one I always enjoy participating in," he explains. "With two victories already in the bag this year (Nokere Koerse and In Flanders Fields, the former Gent-Wevelgem, ed.) I approach the race with more serenity, it's not a last resort like it is for some." Words that reveal a lucid, almost detached approach, but which hide concrete ambitions. Philipsen knows that Roubaix cannot be improvised, and that it is often decided by minimal details: positioning, luck, and resistance to the impacts of the cobblestones.

One of the Belgian's strengths will be his collaboration with teammate Mathieu Van der Poel, among the greatest specialists, who has won Roubaix since 2023: with VdP as the attacking rider and Philipsen as the finisher, Alpecin-PremierTech will be able to operate on multiple fronts, increasing the chances of success. An alliance that can make the difference, but which, given the unpredictability of the race and the quality of the rivals, cannot guarantee victory. "We can strengthen each other and give ourselves peace of mind - continues Philipsen, 28, who won Milan-San Remo in 2024 -. There is no guarantee of success; I mainly need to see where I find myself and be able to be in a position where I can make an important contribution."

In the team game, Philipsen could represent a decisive card: if the race were to be decided in a tight finish, his speed would make him one of the absolute favorites. But to reach the velodrome in the front positions, he will need to resist attacks, crashes, and the natural selection of the race. And among the most feared rivals is inevitably Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian phenomenon who in 2026 seems capable of winning anywhere. But Philipsen is not starting as a beaten man. "Of course, Tadej is a great contender, but we certainly have our chances. We're heading to Roubaix in good spirits and hope to play to the best of our abilities. We won't give anything away."