The performances of Estonian cycling talent Madis Mihkels have impressed the managers of his parent company EF Education - EasyPost so much that they entrusted him with a place in Sunday's Paris-Roubaix (259 km), which is considered the world's toughest one-day race.
"Paris-Roubaix is without a doubt my favourite classic and it suits me best," the 21-year-old Estonian confirmed. "It's a very tough race, the hardest of all. At the end you feel pain in your legs and wrists and your whole body is full of pain, but if you don't have too much bad luck and you're riding in the lead, it's pure pleasure. If you're doing well, the cobblestone sections don't seem so hard anymore."
Mihkels knows what he's talking about - he finished 10th in Paris-Roubaix last year, almost five minutes behind the winner of the last two years, Mathieu van der Poel. In addition to Mihkels, the EF Education - EasyPost team includes Kasper Asgreen, Owain Doull, Alastair MacKellar, Jack Rootkin-Gray, Colby Simmons and Max Walker.
Paris-Roubaix will cover a total of 55.3 km on cobblestones. Many experts believe that this test will be too tough for recent Tour of Flanders winner Tadej Pogačar. But the organizers are already satisfied, because in 34 years the reigning Tour de France winner has not started them and now it will happen.
