And Van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), who is seeking a fourth-straight Paris-Roubaix victory, made clear his admiration for his great rival in an exclusive sit-down with TNT Sports. <\/p>\n
“Tour of Flanders is a race that suits me very well, but we just have a generational talent like Tadej, who is kicking my a*** already a few times,” Van der Poel said. <\/p>\n
“I cannot say [Paris-Roubaix] is a race that doesn’t suit me. It’s a bit more difficult to drop another rider because there are no real climbs.”<\/p>\n
Asked how he might stop the relentless UAE Team Emirates-XRG star, who finished second at a memorable Paris-Roubaix in 2025, despite a heavy crash, Van der Poel said: “By beating him, but it’s not so easy. It’s very clear he’s on a really high level. He’s also in a good flow, which is important as a cyclist. <\/p>\n
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Watch Paris-Roubaix 2026 on TNT Sports and HBO Max<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n
“It will be difficult, of course, to beat him, but we will try. Roubaix is also always a race where a lot of riders can win, so it’s not only the two of us.<\/p>\n
“I respect him a lot and I like him as a competitor. For me, it’s always good to be with him in the front of the race.<\/p>\n
“Tadej showed he is an incredible opponent. He is doing it on every terrain as well, so hopefully I can hold him from the victory on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“We respect each other and we are both cyclists who give 100%. I grew up racing this way and I think he’s the same. We just enjoy what we do. It’s always hard in the race but afterwards we are good friends.”<\/p>\n
If Van der Poel can get the better of Pogacar and the other contenders in Sunday’s race, he will go level with Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen<\/a> with the most victories (four) at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n “It’s not something you think about when you are racing, but I’m motivated to try to win the race again,” he said. “You need a bit of luck as well in a race like this.<\/p>\n “It would be very nice but, like I said, it’s not something you think about on the bike. I try to win the race and maybe afterwards you think a bit more about it.”<\/p>\n Van der Poel will also hope for another strong performance from team-mate Jasper Philipsen, who competed at the front along with Pogacar last year.<\/a><\/p>\n “I hope he will be there again like he was last year,” Van der Poel said. “For me, it’s also easy to have him. He can definitely win the race, he’s very fast in the sprint.”<\/p>\n How to watch Paris-Roubaix 2026The men’s race will be live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max<\/a>. Coverage begins at 09:30 UK time, with the action getting underway approximately half an hour later.Coverage of the women’s race begins at 16:00 on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.<\/p>\n