ProTeam Florian Vermeersch hungry for second Paris-Roubaix participation

Less than 200 days after the previous edition, the ‘Hell of the North’ is again opening its gates for the 119^th Paris-Roubaix this Sunday. Lotto Soudal will be at the start in Compiègne with Cedric Beullens, Victor Campenaerts, Philippe Gilbert, Sébastien Grignard, Roger Kluge, Brent Van Moer and Florian Vermeersch.

The 257 kilometres long course underwent little changes. Also this year, the riders will start from Compiègne and race towards thirty cobbled sections, accounting for 55 kilometres of suffering on the pavés. No doubt the mythical five-star sectors of Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre will again have a big impact on the unfolding of the race. After passing through ‘Hell’, one rider will reach eternal cycling glory on the famous Roubaix velodrome.

With a heroic Paris-Roubaix last October still in mind – in which an impressive Florian Vermeersch battled his way to second place – the 23-year-old Lotto Soudal rider is looking ahead to his second time racing on the cobbles of northern France.

“Although last year’s second place has changed quite a bit, I don’t necessarily feel more pressure to perform”, starts Florian Vermeersch. “Personally, my ambition for Paris-Roubaix remains the same as for any other race this spring. I want to be part of the final and feel that I can battle for the win. Most of all, I am really looking forward and I expect a lot of myself. But if I won’t be able to grab a top result, that will be a pity but not a disaster.”

“Honestly, the first months of the season have been disappointing for me. Partly due to crashes and bad luck, I feel that I haven’t had the opportunity to fully show myself. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as you plan them. The tide can also turn very quickly, hopefully starting this Sunday.”

“What makes Paris-Roubaix so heroic and tough? Especially the succession of the cobbled sections. And purely based on power, it is one of the hardest races of the season. Also the impact the race has on your body is not to be underestimated. Last year, I suffered from quite some pain in the hands and sore muscles, even days after the race.”

After a rainy edition last year, with sectors turning to mud puddles, the weather conditions will be gentler on the riders.

“I’m not less excited that this year will likely be a dry edition. But it will be a different kind of race, that’s for sure. There will maybe be more space to pass riders on the cobbles. With Philippe Gilbert, we have a former winner within our selection, who is very important for the team. With his broad experience, he still learns us things every day. Besides, he’s still really motivated to race. You can never write off a rider like Philippe Gilbert.”

For Philippe Gilbert, it will indeed be a fifth and final participation at Paris-Roubaix. The 39-year-old Belgian won the cycling Monument in 2019 and will be at the start of the ‘Hell of the North’, due to a change in his program.

“At this point in my career, Paris-Roubaix suits me better than Flèche Wallonne. At Paris-Roubaix, explosivity is of lesser importance, it is mostly about endurance. Stating specific ambitions is difficult. I am not in top shape but Paris-Roubaix is sometimes full of surprises. It is a race in which you can never give up and keep believing in your chances. It was be a special moment to race the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix for one last time”, concludes Philippe Gilbert.

Images: Photo News, Vanvid Multimedia, Maxime Van der Wielen.