Tadej Pogacar is ready to challenge the Hell of the North and write a new record. On the cobblestones of the Queen of Classics, he will have to face riders of the caliber of Mathieu Van der Poel and Wout Van Aert, but the Slovenian is serene and ready to embrace the challenge.

In the cycling world we know, few names shine like Pogacar's. At 27 years old, the UAE Team Emirates Slovenian is the most complete in recent history: capable of winning grand tours, Monument Classics and races of every kind, combining talent, endurance, intelligence and tactics. Already four-time Tour de France champion and winner of two World Championships, Pogacar has built his legend especially in the Monument Classics, where he has demonstrated rare versatility: from the climbs of the Ardennes and Lombardy to the walls of Flanders. He has raced 22 Monuments and won 12 of them; in history only Merckx precedes him with 19.

This spring he has confirmed himself as the most dominant rider, winning every race he has tackled: Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders. He hasn't lost a Monument Classic since Liège 2025. Now the victory at San Remo, which had always eluded him, has brought him closer to a historic milestone: conquering all five Monument Classics. A legendary collection achieved only by the Flemish riders Van Looy, Merckx and De Vlaeminck. Pogacar is missing only Paris-Roubaix, the hardest and most unpredictable of one-day races. In 2025 he finished second after a decisive crash in the final.

At Compiègne, Tadej Pogacar spoke little, but his words were incisive and it's clear he will try not to be overwhelmed. "Motivation is high and I don't feel any pressure – the Slovenian said in a brief meeting with the media -. The races this season have gone perfectly and I feel calm, even though in a race like Roubaix anything can happen". The champion's serenity is evident, the confidence, but without obsession over the result. "Perhaps it's the greatest challenge. I mean: I've already faced several challenges, but now there's another one and we'll see how it goes. Perhaps there were doubts before racing it the first time, but after my second place last year, I feel I've had a great boost and the confidence to fight now for victory. So yes, I'm here to try to win".

The Slovenian's parents will also be watching the race, and they don't look at the result but only want Tadej to be happy. "I'm not obsessed with the fact that I could also win the fifth Monument Classic, I don't look much at these things, I like numbers but they're not an obsession. In cycling we're here to win, to have fun on the bike, to do what our team tells us and to give our best in our careers". Pogacar could try to arrive alone to prevent a small group, with a sprinter, from making a difference in the velodrome. "Of course I think it's not necessarily an obligation to arrive alone, even though, when you come in alone, you practically have a guarantee of victory. But after such a long race, even with a small group, I can still sprint well, but certainly at Roubaix anyone would prefer to arrive solo".

His main rival remains Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel, the three-time consecutive winner (2023, 2024, 2025) is the number one favorite. If he were to win, it would be an incredible record because no one has ever conquered Roubaix four times in a row (with 4 triumphs in different years there are De Vlaeminck and Boonen). Then there's Wout Van Aert, always close to victory and who tomorrow in the race will seek that success he has been chasing for too long. Don't forget our Filippo Ganna, who will find the flat terrain where he can unleash himself at very high speed and the possibility of also going on the attack. Mads Pedersen, instead is the resistant sprinter, dangerous in case of a sprint finish. There's Jasper Philipsen, often placed well, who will be able to count on his friend Van der Poel. Finally, Pogacar must not underestimate the Belgian Gianni Vermeersch, key man for Red Bull, who could upset the odds. Paris-Roubaix is an insidious race: it will never be a simple duel but an open battle between multiple protagonists.