'It's been my goal to win this race and point to the sky' – Wout van Aert dedicates Paris-Roubaix victory to late teammate as past misfortune gave him 'knowledge to pull it off'

Wout van Aert, representing Visma-Lease a Bike, secured a dominant victory at Paris-Roubaix yesterday, marking his first triumph in the Monument. The Belgian champion dedicated his win to his late teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically passed away during the 2018 edition of the race. Van Aert crossed the line solo, having launched a decisive attack with 20km remaining, ultimately finishing over three minutes ahead of his closest competitor.

This victory is particularly poignant given Van Aert's past misfortunes at Roubaix, including a puncture in 2021 while in contention and a crash in 2023 that derailed his Classics campaign. His consistent presence at the sharp end of these races, often without the ultimate prize, had become a recurring narrative. Dedicating the win to Goolaerts adds a layer of emotional depth, transforming a long-sought personal triumph into a powerful, collective tribute that resonates deeply within the peloton and fan base.

Finally, Van Aert’s long-awaited Roubaix win, delivered with such authority and sentiment, proves that sometimes, the hardest lessons are indeed the most valuable.