In a league of his own

Mathieu van der Poel was once again untouchable on the French pavé, writes Tom Thewlis in Roubaix

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Mathieu van der Poel was lost for words as he sat down to answer questions from reporters in his race winners' press conference at Paris-Roubaix.

As he walked into the media centre, he would have no doubt seen the pictures on the walls of all the Roubaix greats - Roger de Vlaeminck, Eddy Merckx, Franceso Moser and more - whose names are now permanently etched into the legend of the hallowed velodrome.

Van der Poel has now firmly earned his place alongside them, taking his second Roubaix title last weekend after launching an unanswerable attack, 60 kilometres from the finish, on the Orchies cobbled sector.

Notably, the Dutchman has now become the first rider to win both the Tour of Flanders and Roubaix in the same season while wearing the world champion's rainbow jersey.