Museeuw reacts to Van der Poel criticism ahead of Paris-Roubaix - 'Why wouldn't he work with Pogacar?'

Johan Museeuw has highlighted the exceptional level of Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel, explained why he believes the Dutchman cooperates with the world champion, discussed the prospects of Wout van Aert and revealed why he thinks Mads Pedersen remains a dangerous prospect ahead of the Hell of the North on Sunday.

Museeuw suggested that while on the surface, Paris-Roubaix remains similar to the race that he won three times, the tactics that define the race are fundamentally different in the modern era. 

The chances of an outsider winning are naturally reduced due to the presence of Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel, who have strong teams to control the threat of the breakaway, and their ability to open up the race long-range.

“These guys don’t think, they just go,” said Museeuw on the Domestique Hotseat. “When they feel it’s the moment, they open the race and commit. The teams control everything, UAE controls the race, Alpecin too, and that makes it very difficult for the others to do anything because it’s controlled from the beginning.”

A recurring debate which has once more popped up following Flanders revolves around the level of cooperation that Van der Poel shows when he finds himself clear with Pogačar, with critics suggesting that the Dutchman took too many turns on the front. Van der Poel responded to critics, suggesting that "not riding would have been anti-riding."

Museeuw also rejected the notion that Van der Poel shouldn't pull turns with the world champion, explaining that this isn’t something in the Dutchman’s DNA.

“Why wouldn’t Mathieu van der Poel work with Tadej Pogacar if they’re in a breakaway? I’ve heard that question a couple of times this week,” said Museeuw. “That’s just this generation. They are extreme riders.

“Van der Poel isn’t the kind of rider who will just sit in the wheel. I think these riders are happier if they can work, do the job that they have to do, and if they get dropped, they are dropped.” 

Van der Poel is currently tied with Museeuw on three Paris-Roubaix victories, but could join Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen on four victories.

The Lion of Flanders added that the modern champions, such as Pogačar and Van der Poel, would rather see races be decided by their strength than just tactics.

“They’re top riders, and they want to show it. I don’t see a reason why they should just stay in the wheel. They want to win like they normally win, by being the strongest in the race," said Museeuw. "If Van der Poel stays in the wheel and beats Pogačar in a sprint, I don't think he will be happy with that.

"I don't think Van der Poel would stay in the wheel. If he stayed in the wheel, it means he's having a bad day, and he also will not win. That's the thing. Pogačar's so strong, even if he stays in the wheel, he can also beat him in the sprint, that's what it is.”

Attention then turned to the prospects of Museeuw’s compatriot, Wout van Aert, who is still dreaming of winning an elusive cobbled Monument.

The Visma rider has enjoyed a solid return to form following a fractured ankle in January. While he was still a level behind Pogačar and Van der Poel at Flanders after being distanced on the Oude Kwaremont, Roubaix is a race that many argue suits Van Aert better on paper.

“Everybody says that if he can win one big monument, it will be Paris-Roubaix. So we’ll see on Sunday. He was in good shape, and I said before the Tour of Flanders that he was really strong.”

However, Museeuw acknowledged the fact that Van Aert was distanced by the duo in Flanders, and how that can impact the mindset when trying to beat them, despite Roubaix’s flatter profile.

“They dropped him again on the Oude Kwaremont, and that’s four times in a row. So for the mindset of the rider, it’s not so positive because you know that you’re not strong enough when they go,” said Museeuw.

Looking back, he suggested Van Aert’s Monument record has fallen short of the prospects from earlier in his career. “If we had said maybe 10 years ago he would win two Flanders and three Roubaix, we would have said yes. But now, if you look at his palmarès, there’s one Monument, Milan–Sanremo, and that’s it.”

Still, Museeuw insisted Van Aert remains an exceptional rider and a credit to the sport, but unfortunately for him, he is just slightly overshadowed by Van der Poel and Pogačar, who have won 16 of the last 18 Monuments, as well as the last three World Championships between them.

“Two exceptional riders, and Wout is also exceptional, but these two other guys are a little bit more exceptional. And Wout is not so young anymore.”

Among the broader contenders, Museeuw highlighted the prospects of Mads Pedersen as a rider who could be a genuine threat if the stars align, due to his powerful finish. 

The Dane has battled valiantly through a disrupted spring campaign after fracturing his wrist and collarbone in February, and illness ruled him out of fighting for a record-breaking fourth Gent-Wevelgem title in March.

“I think that Mads Pedersen could sprint for the victory. If he gets luck, because he crashed last year and that took him out of contention. But if he gets through without any incidents, I think he has a really good chance as well,” said Museeuw.