The Paris-Roubaix Bike of Mathieu van der Poel

The 2021 Hell of the North has gone down in the history books and the queen of the classics delivered muddy riders in Roubaix. For such a tough race, a special configuration of the bikes was needed. We show you on MVDP’s Canyon Aeroad CFR.

Mathieu van der Poel rode a Canyon Aeroad CFR with Shimano Dura-Ace DI2 and Shimano Dura-Ace carbon wheels in the classic Paris-Roubaix 2021.

To meet the more difficult requirements that the “Hell of the North” places on the riders, the carbon aero cockpit on Mathieu van der Poel’s bike was swapped for a classic handlebar-stem combination. This also allows the handlebars to be double wrapped for improved comfort to better absorb the shocks. Mathieu chose a V13 stem made of aluminium and a classic Canyon race handlebar; also made of aluminium.

Also typical for a race like Roubaix are the additionally mounted satellite shifters on the upper handlebar. This allows you to shift gears from the classic upper handlebar position without having to reach around and without losing control.

For the tyres, the team relies on the Vittoria Corsa tubular tyres in a width of 30 millimetres. The air pressure remains a well-kept secret, as is the case with many teams and the top riders. For the chainring combination, as usual for flat races, the front gradation of 53/46 teeth was chosen.

A completely identical bike with the individually selected tyre pressure was attached to the outside right of the roof on the material car. This way, in the event of a defect, the captain’s machine can be changed quickly. Ideally, the mechanic equips the spare wheel with full drinking bottles in the event of a change. Most teams have identical wheels of their captains on the roof of both material vehicles in the race.

Photos by Team Alpecin-Fenix