Belgian Wout van Aert broke a long-standing jinx to win the Paris-Roubaix classic on Sunday, outmaneuvering world champion Tadej Pogacar in a punishing race across the cobbles.
Van Aert, 31, experienced a puncture, as did Pogacar and rival Mathieu van der Poel. Van der Poel faced two mechanical issues, preventing him from contending the final sprint, which Van Aert won decisively. This victory marks his second in one of cycling's five Monument classics, adding to his 2020 Milan-Sanremo win.
Despite a history of bad luck in the event, Van Aert countered Pogacar's attacks on the treacherous cobbled sectors and secured the win with a signature surge of speed on the Roubaix Velodrome.
Jasper Stuyven of Belgium finished third, trailing by 13 seconds. Van der Poel, aiming for a fourth consecutive victory, came in fourth after a significant delay due to a mechanical problem.
Van Aert dedicated his victory to former teammate Michael Goolaerts, who passed away during the race in 2018. He expressed the significance of beating the world champion in a sprint finish.
Pogacar, who had already won the season's first two Monuments, was aiming to be the first Tour de France champion to conquer the "Hell of the North" since Bernard Hinault in 1981.