Soudal Quick-Step’s Belgian rode a superb race and made it onto the podium at the “Queen of the Classics”.
Jasper Stuyven delivered an impressive podium place for our team Sunday afternoon, at the end of the fastest edition in history, and fulfilled a dream that he had ever since his junior days.
Having finished sixth in Ronde van Vlaanderen one week ago, Stuyven came into the race as one of our squad’s leaders. Through a blend of strength, determination, racing acumen, and guts, he ended up taking the Wolfpack’s 14th podium in Paris-Roubaix, and our first for seven years, an achievement that capped off an impressive spring of Stuyven, who finished top ten in two other prestigious races, Milano-Sanremo and In Flanders Fields.
Today I rode a great race, didn’t have any bad luck, and I’m happy to finish off my Classics campaign on the podium.
“It’s a result that gives me a lot of pride, especially as I’ve been close to the top three here in the past. I’m really happy I could achieve it today with this team, from such a strong field, especially after some unlucky past editions”, a delighted Jasper said after his maiden podium in a cobbled Monument.
In what became one of the most memorable Paris-Roubaix in history, Jasper was excellently positioned the entire day, and tackled the infamous Arenberg Forest – the first five-star sector of the day – in the first five wheels, which helped him make it into the eight-man leading group from which the winner emerged. Another selection occurred 60 kilometers from the finish, when two riders attacked and got a gap. Despite numerous accelerations in the group behind, Soudal Quick-Step’s 33-year-old remained composed and showed extraordinary mental power as he continued to push through the pain, staying with that group until the final three kilometers.
A clever attack there helped him eke out a small advantage which he maintained until the finish on the iconic André-Pétrieux Vélodrome, where he arrived completely empty but happy to have recorded his best result in eleven Paris-Roubaix participations.
The race was so hard, and in the last 60 kilometers I was on the limit and had no idea how I could make it to the line.
“But I soon realised that everyone in the group was getting tired, and at the same time, I got encouraged from the team car, which was of great help, as I kept pushing and believing. The pain was in the legs, but I remained strong mentally and just gave my best. In the closing kilometers, I said to myself that I had to try something and raced on instinct, opening a small gap which I could then carry to the velodrome. I’m happy I could reward myself and the team for their confidence and belief”, added Jasper.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images