Why was Tadej Pogacar in Roubaix in a week with wet and dangerous cobbles? “That’s quite a risky” stunned local argues

Tadej Pogačar Raises Eyebrows with Surprise Roubaix Visit Amid Wet, Treacherous Cobbles

 

In a move that left locals astonished and cycling fans buzzing, Tadej Pogačar was spotted in Roubaix this week testing equipment on the infamous cobblestones—even as the region was hit by relentless rain, thick mud, and dangerously slick pavé. The two-time Tour de France champion is known for his relentless pursuit of perfection, but this unexpected appearance, under such hazardous conditions, prompted both admiration and concern.

 

Pogačar arrived quietly, accompanied by a small UAE Team Emirates technical team. According to witnesses, they headed straight toward the Carrefour de l’Arbre, one of the most brutal sectors in northern France. With mud splashing under his tires and winds whipping through the fields, Pogačar rode repeatedly over the stones, stopping only to adjust pressure, swap wheelsets, and test new prototype frames reportedly designed for enhanced stability on wet pavé.

 

For Roubaix locals—many accustomed to the drama of April’s Hell of the North—it was still a surprise to see one of the world’s biggest stars training in December under conditions even the toughest classics specialists might avoid. “That’s quite a risky move,” said one stunned onlooker from the village of Camphin-en-Pévèle. “These cobbles are dangerous enough when they’re dry. With this rain? One wrong line and you hit the ground hard. I’ve seen riders break bones here for less.”

 

Sources within UAE Team Emirates suggested that Pogačar insisted on a real-life stress test for his 2026 classics program. After a monumental 2025 season packed with triumphs in the monuments, the Slovenian superstar is expected to return with even bigger ambitions—including a renewed attempt at Paris–Roubaix, the one monument he still views as the ultimate riddle.

 

While Pogačar has been open about his fascination with Roubaix, the timing of this visit raised questions. With winter storms sweeping across Hauts-de-France, the cobbles were coated with layers of water and clay, creating a glass-like surface. Team staff could be seen walking the sectors carefully before each run, assessing ruts and flooded patches as Pogačar followed behind, attacking the pavé with trademark intensity.

 

Despite the danger, the 27-year-old appeared unfazed. Eyewitnesses say he joked with mechanics, laughed after a few wheel slips, and rode with the same elegance he shows on Alpine climbs. One local even remarked: “He looked like he was having fun. But fun or not, it only takes one crash.”

 

Analysts believe this visit signals that Pogačar may be preparing an aggressive early-season campaign, possibly including an appearance at Paris–Roubaix 2026. With new equipment in development and an ever-growing appetite for challenges, the Slovenian seems intent on closing the gap between himself and riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert on the cobbles.

 

Whether the risk will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Pogačar’s hunger to test his limits never rests—even when the cobbles are wet, dark, and dangerous. As one local put it, shaking his head: “Only a champion like him would be crazy enough to train here today.”