Wout van Aert won the Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, beating Tadej Pogacar in a two-up sprint.

What happened?

The race saw all major favourites suffer bad luck, with both Pogacar and Van Aert forced to change bikes and chase back to the front after punctures.

Mathieu van der Poel suffered a double-mechanical at the worst possible moment, but still managed to fight back and take third place.

Why it matters for Wout van Aert

Van Aert's victory was particularly poignant given his fellow Flandrian Eddy Merckx is currently in hospital following health setbacks.

This win means everything to Van Aert, who had made it his goal to win the race since 2018.

What comes next?

Van Aert's reputation as a nearly man has been shed, with the 31-year-old proving himself to be a top-class rider.

Pogacar's reputation has also been enhanced, despite not winning the race, as he was competitive again at Paris-Roubaix.

Van Aert's victory was his first monument win since Milan-Sanremo in 2020, and he was overcome with emotion as he crossed the line.

The Slovenian Pogacar had looked the stronger rider earlier in the race, but Van Aert proved fastest in the finale.

Van Aert's team boss Richard Plugge was overjoyed with the win, and Van Aert was quick to praise his team for their support.

The win was a testament to Van Aert's hard work and dedication, and he will be looking to build on this success in future races.

On Sunday, Van Aert came back to win the fastest ever edition of Paris-Roubaix, with a time that will be remembered for years to come.

Van Aert's victory was a surprise to some, given Pogacar's form earlier in the race, but the Belgian proved himself to be the stronger rider in the end.

The race was marked by bad luck for many of the favourites, but Van Aert was able to overcome his setbacks and take the win.

Van Aert was emotional as he spoke about his victory, saying it meant everything to him and that he had worked hard for this moment.

The 31-year-old's win was a highlight of the racing calendar, and he will be looking to build on this success in future races.

Van Aert's team played a crucial role in his victory, providing him with the support he needed to win.

But Van Aert was the one who crossed the line first, and he will be remembered as the winner of the 2024 Paris-Roubaix.

Van Aert's victory was a surprise to some, but he proved himself to be the stronger rider in the end.

The Belgian's win was a highlight of the racing calendar, and he will be looking to build on this success in future races.