Tadej Pogačar Finishes Second in Dramatic Paris-Roubaix as Wout van Aert Wins Monument Classic
Paris, 13th April 2026 – In a thrilling edition of the Paris-Roubaix, Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured a hard-fought second place, marking an impressive performance in one of cycling’s most prestigious classics.
The race saw the end of the World Champion’s recent dominance in the Monument races, as Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike) claimed victory after a tactical, two-man sprint. Van Aert expertly outpaced Pogačar in the iconic Roubaix velodrome, taking his first win at the event after a day filled with tension and excitement.
Pogačar, eager to add the only missing Monument to his remarkable palmarès, signaled his intentions from early on. With his team setting a fierce pace a full 150km from the finish, the peloton quickly thinned out under the unrelenting pressure.
Misfortune struck with 120km remaining, as Pogačar suffered a front-wheel puncture. Initially taking a neutral service bike, he soon switched back to his own after a rapid bike exchange from the team car. Demonstrating determination, he launched a grueling 20km chase to bridge back to the front, rejoining just in time for the decisive Arenberg Forest sector.
The infamous cobbled stretch proved pivotal. It dealt a blow to Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck), who lost valuable time to a double puncture. Unwilling to surrender, van der Poel staged a courageous comeback, narrowing a two-minute gap to within 30 seconds and ultimately finishing in fourth place.
Further drama unfolded as both Pogačar and van Aert encountered additional mechanical problems—a bike change for the Slovenian and a puncture for the Belgian. With 54km to go, the pair launched a decisive attack in the Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée sector, breaking clear from their rivals. United in their effort, they maintained their lead all the way to the finish.
In the final sprint, van Aert delivered a flawless performance, stopping the clock at 5:16:52. Pogačar crossed the line second, while Jasper Stuyven finished third, 13 seconds back.
The 2026 Paris-Roubaix will be remembered for its relentless pace, mechanical drama, and another chapter in the evolving rivalry among cycling’s elite.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
