Cycling

Tadej Pogacar took to the cobbles of the legendary Trouée d'Arenberg in training, for reasons that remain unclear but are fuelling much speculation.

Although Paris-Roubaix isn't on Tadej Pogacar's program for the 2025 season, the world champion surprised everyone by visiting the legendary Trouée d'Arenberg, an emblematic sector of the Hell of the North, on his bike. In a video posted on social media networks, filmed by team-mate Tim Wellens, the Slovenian is seen reconnoitring the uneven cobblestones of the famous drève. All the more reason to speculate on a possible future participation in Paris-Roubaix.

A busy schedule
However, Pogacar's schedule leaves no room for Paris-Roubaix this year. After a scheduled resumption at the UAE Tour on February 17, he will move on to Italian classics such as the Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo, followed by Flandrian races such as the E3 Saxo Classic, Ghent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. After that, he'll concentrate on the Ardennes, including the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, before setting his sights on his main objective: the Tour de France in July.

Ambitions in the Hell of the North?
Although his participation in Paris-Roubaix appears to be in doubt for 2025, Pogacar has never hidden his interest in this legendary race. His manager Alex Carrera declared that winning Roubaix was one of the Slovenian's future objectives. For his part, four-time winner Tom Boonen believes that Pogacar has what it takes to win on the demanding cobbles.

In the junior category, Pogacar has already raced Paris-Roubaix twice, finishing 13th in 2016. He also demonstrated his abilities on the cobbles at the 2022 Tour de France, where he shone despite a difficult course.

The rumour mill
Does Pogacar's unexpected ride in the Trouée d'Arenberg herald a forthcoming participation in Paris-Roubaix? Rumors are going around... But if it doesn't materialize this year, it's almost certain that the Slovenian will one day tackle this Monument to add to his already impressive list of honors, which already includes three major classics: the Tour of Flanders, two editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and four victories in the Tour of Lombardy.

(MH with LpR- Source: RTBF/Picture: Thomas “Didgeman” via Pixabay)