Cycling: Politt before Roubaix: “Thank God no mountains in the way”

cycling
Politt before Roubaix: “Thank God no mountains in the way”

Having been in good form lately, Nils Politt is ready for the season finale of the cobblestone classics at Paris-Roubaix on Easter Sunday. “The legs are good. And thank God there are no mountains in the way,” said the Cologne professional cyclist before the “Hell of the North”.

Last Sunday, Politt was 20th in the Tour of Flanders, where he had no chance against the eventual winner Tadej Pogacar and Co. on the last climbs. There are no climbs on the 256.6 kilometers from Compiègne to the Vélodrome of Roubaix. But 29 sectors with a total of 54.5 kilometers of cobblestones.

Not only because Politt was second in Roubaix in 2019, his sports director Rolf Aldag sees a good chance of a top result. “He likes Roubaix more than Flanders,” said the 54-year-old of the German Press Agency. “When Nils rolls on the flat, he rolls properly. That’s why he can ride.” It is not yet entirely clear how good the support from the Bora-hansgrohe teammates can be. At the Tour of Flanders, three important helpers were involved in a mass crash.

Eternal rivals Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert are among the favorites for overall victory. The fact that there are no climbs suits the Belgian Van Aert more than his opponent from the Netherlands. His team is also experimenting with the material. With three riders, Jumbo-Visma uses a system that allows tire pressure to be raised and lowered while driving. An advantage results from the fact that you can drive on the pavement with less tire pressure and therefore more comfortably and faster. Defending champion Dylan van Baarle, Gent-Wevelgem winner Christophe Laporte and Edoardo Affini will be equipped with the technical innovation.

dpa