Vermeersch explains UAE’s high-risk Roubaix strategy - 'The only way for Tadej to win'

Speaking on the Vals Plat podcast, Florian Vermeersch has detailed a carefully constructed plan that unravelled under pressure, crashes and mechanical setbacks. Vermeersch had been earmarked as a key figure in supporting Tadej Pogačar deep into the race. 

This is no surprise as the Belgian had enjoyed a strong Classics campaign to date, which included third place finishes at Omloop Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Classic, as well as seventh at the Tour of Flanders.

The Belgian was well-positioned early on and entered the notorious Trouée d'Arenberg among the front riders before crashing heavily and abandoning.

His absence proved costly. “Up until the moment Tadej punctured, it was actually the perfect plan,” Vermeersch said.

At that stage, the peloton had already been reduced significantly. Pogačar himself had suffered a mechanical on the run-in to the Arenberg Forest, forcing the World Champion to embark on a frantic chase back to the front pack. He made it, just in time for the Arenberg sector.

“There were only about forty or fifty riders left, so positioning was already less of an issue. You could also feel the fatigue building in the group," said Vermeersch.

Pogacar’s puncture forced a shift in responsibilities for Vermeersch who remained in the front group. “He gets a flat and I had to stay in the group to act as a kind of watchdog.”

Pogacar rejoining the front just before Arenberg, briefly restoring UAE’s intended scenario.

“We could take the sector in fourth and sixth position. That was perfect. Up to about five hundred meters before the forest, everything was still exactly how we wanted it.”

Vermeersch himself had consistently been among the first riders entering key sectors. “I was always among the first eight or nine riders going clear. From there, we were supposed to ride the final.”

But his crash in Arenberg marked a decisive moment, leaving Pogačar isolated when Wout Van Aert pressed the pace on the cobbles, forcing a selection, while Mathieu van der Poel suffered a double mechanical.

“I’m not going to say exactly what my role would have been, but the idea was to make the race as hard as possible. It’s a shame I wasn’t there anymore. Tadej automatically had to do more work himself, so it became a bit of a snowball effect.”

UAE’s approach had been clear from the outset: avoid the early breakaway and instead impose relentless pressure on the cobbled sectors.

“We didn’t want to be in the break. From the first sector, we planned to set a really high pace.”

Course changes also played into their thinking with the inclusion of the sector toward Briastre. “This year there were two difficult sections with crosswinds and tailwinds. That made it even more important.”

The team drew inspiration from previous editions of the Tour de France, where aggressive pacing on similar terrain had shattered the field. “We had seen footage from the Tour, I think 2017, where the team leading the race caused a lot of damage. We wanted to do the same. And we did.”

The objective was simple but demanding: string out the peloton and drain every rival before the decisive sectors, giving them the best chance of beating three-time defending champion Van der Poel.

“To get everyone as tired as possible heading into Arenberg. From our perspective, that was the only way for Tadej to win. If a fresh Van der Poel enters the forest, it becomes very difficult.”

In the end, Pogacar had to settle for second after being beaten in the sprint by Van Aert. Despite the disappointment, Vermeersch held no grudges.

“Of course I was supporting Tadej first. It’s a pity he didn’t win, but I’m happy for Wout as well. We get along well, and I’m glad he was able to achieve such a big goal in his career.”