Paris-Roubaix. Staff reactions

Apr 13, 2025, 01:37 AM

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Photo credit : Quentin Photographie BE

Damien Pommereau, sporting director of Winspace Orange Seal, and Jean-Christophe Barbotin, the French team's long-standing manager, look back at the famous Nord race.

Damien Pommereau: "We showed that we were involved in the race"

The atmosphere

"It's been a while since I've done Paris-Roubaix. It's such a special race. It's special even in the cars. Since yesterday, you can feel the apprehension. A bit of stress, both in the teams and among the girls. It's a f*****g day. You can see why there's so much enthusiasm for this race."

Aurela Nerlo's breakaway

"We planned to be in the breakaway yesterday at the briefing. Objectively speaking, one of the big options for trying to make a mark on the World Tour is to get a head start. We had to do everything we could to get into the breakaway if there was one. Unfortunately, there were only two of them. They gave up a lot of strength. As soon as they were caught, they tried to hold on in the peloton before being dropped. The last 50 kilometres were difficult. Constance Valentin's group caught up with her. In each sector, she jumped and then came back. She was full of energy. It was a gamble. Otherwise, we had no guarantee of existing. She was the first to enter the first sector of Paris-Roubaix. We showed that we were involved in the race and not passive."

His opinion of the other riders

"Fiona Mangan likes this type of race but lacked pace as she's just come back from a big crash at Omloop Het Niewsblad. That's not forgiving. Everyone is at their level. Constance had problems with her saddle. She leaned over in the Carrefour de l'Arbre sector. She told us on the radio but it was impossible to change at that point. Then she picked up a hole and fell, sliding down the back of her bike. It took her a long time to get up again. Up until then she'd been riding a decent race. Very good. She had good legs. Constance finished with Aurela. It's anecdotal. With 40 km to go, Marie-Morgane was not far behind Constance and Aurela. Doing this race builds character and mental strength. You have to want it to finish Paris-Roubaix. Even finishing this race is a personal satisfaction."

His role as sport director

"We were pretty excited at the start with Aurela's breakaway. With a maximum lead of 3'05’. You have to be really careful when you're riding. There are a lot of people. It's always an intense day in the car. It's a good memory. Of course we wanted to play a leading role. But we have to remain objective. We've made progress compared to last year. All the girls are finishing this race."

Jean Christophe Barbotin : "Aurela and Constance will end up taking honourable places"

"All the riders were involved in the breakaway. All six girls. It was Aurela who took it. She was caught at sector 13. She rode at the front. She didn't have the legs she'd had in the Classics at the start of the season. She had a stomach ache. She couldn't eat the gels because of the heat. It cut into her legs. She couldn't get into the top 30. Compared to last year, Aurela feels the race more and goes into the breakaway. Constance is making progress. Every year, if we can make progress, that's a good thing. As time goes by, Aurela and Constance will end up in respectable places."