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Van Aert Triumphs
Wout van Aert secured his first Paris-Roubaix victory on April 12, 2026, beating world champion Tadej Pogacar in a dramatic sprint finish.
“Wout van Aert beat four-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar in a thrilling sprint finish to win the Paris-Roubaix title”
Van Aert dedicated the victory to his late teammate Michael Goolaerts.
The race was shaped by repeated mechanical setbacks, with Pogacar forced to change bikes three times and Mathieu van der Poel suffering multiple punctures.
Van Aert and Pogacar broke clear with about 53 kilometers remaining and stayed together until the finish.
Race Drama and Mechanical Woes
The Paris-Roubaix is known as the 'Hell of the North' for its brutal cobbled sectors.
Pogacar punctured with about 120 kilometers left and had to use a neutral service bike.
Van der Poel suffered two punctures and a botched bike change, emerging over two minutes behind.
Van Aert suffered a puncture with around 70 kilometers left but fought back to rejoin the front group.
Van Aert's Emotional Victory
Van Aert's victory ended a seven-year Belgian drought in Paris-Roubaix.
“After finishing second (2022), third (2023) and fourth (2025), this was Van Aert’s first victory in Roubaix”
He had finished second in 2022, third in 2023, and fourth in 2025.
Pogacar acknowledged Van Aert's strength.
The women's race saw Germany's Franziska Koch upset Dutch legend Marianne Vos.