Paris-Roubaix holds a special place in the hearts of cycling fans around the world. Aside from the infamous cobbles, it has a way of writing story lines and creating stunning moments that makes it stand on its own.
“I think everyone coming to the line has his own story, that’s why its so beautiful,” Wout van Aert told cameras after his victory. “It can be hard but on days like today, it’s the best race there is.”
“This victory is for Michael”
Van Aert’s Paris-Roubaix victory on Sunday weaves together years of stories from his past near-misses at the iconic race, not just his thrilling hours-long battle with world champion Tadej Pogačar. The Belgian’s victory in stunning two-up sprint lifted the spirits of a cycling-crazed nation. But van Aert, though, was thinking of someone else.
After the finish, van Aert dedicated his win to Michael Goolaerts, who died while racing Paris-Roubaix in 2018. The two were, at the time, teammates on Vérandas Willems–Crelan. In the eight year’s since, van Aert’s efforts at the Monument have been frustrated, until today.
“Ever since then, it’s been my goal to come here and point my finger in the sky. So this victory is for Michael, but especially for his family, the staff and all my friends and teammates at my previous team,” an emotional van Aert told cameras after the race.
Even back then, van Aert was already tagged as a potential future winner of cycling’s most famous Monument. Landing that win took eight long years.
“Every since then, I’ve been so many times unlucky in this race. But it also brought me lots of experience. Even today when luck was not on my side I kept believing it. Finally, the reward is there.”
Eight years is a long time. While many riders dream of winning Paris-Roubaix, Wout van Aert has been so close during those years.
“I did stop believing it a lot of times.”
Van Aert also rides with the expectations of reverent Belgian fans heavy on his shoulders. His victory on Sunday comes after much bad luck, crashes and injuries over the years, but also the slow rise of comments from the media that he had lost his winning edge.
With so much of the pre-race speculation focused on Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, the interviewer suggested he might be the one person who never stopped believing in himself. Van Aert’s answer was surprising.
“I did stop believing it a lot of times. But the next day I always woke up and fought…
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