HELL OF THE NORTH: PINARELLO Q36.5 FIGHTS THROUGH CHAOS FOR BACK-TO-BACK MONUMENT TOP 20
The 2026 edition of Paris–Roubaix once again lived up to its reputation as the most brutal test in professional cycling, a relentless, high-speed war of attrition from the very first kilometer.
As expected, the race opened at an explosive pace, with countless early breakaway attempts neutralized by a peloton racing at an astonishing 54 km/h average in the opening hour. We were always presents in these attacks. No move was allowed to gain real ground, setting the stage for a decisive selection once the race hit the iconic cobbled sectors.
From the first pavé sections onward, the race detonated. Crashes, punctures, and mechanical issues tore the bunch apart, leaving riders scattered across the Northern French roads. In true Roubaix fashion, strength alone was not enough, resilience and luck played equally decisive roles.
For Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Brent Van Moer delivered another solid and determined performance, finishing 19th in the Roubaix Velodrome, matching his result from the Ronde van Vlaanderen just one week earlier. A second consecutive top 20 in Monument Classics underlines both his consistency and the team’s growing presence at the highest level.
Despite the result, the race left a sense of what might have been.
"It was really good that we were in the first group of around 60 riders with Fred and Emils, it was a strong situation for us. I entered Arenberg in that front group, but then I had a puncture in my rear wheel and lost contact. I tried everything to come back, but I never made it back to the group fighting for the top positions. That’s the only disappointment. Still, I kept fighting all the way to the finish. Two top 20s in the last two Monuments is not bad. Of course, without the puncture it could have been better, but I’m not the only one with mechanical issues here. I think I can be satisfied with these performances."
Brent Van Moer
The same sentiment was echoed by Sports Director Laurent Pichon, who highlighted both the team’s strength and the unpredictable nature of Roubaix:
"We know Roubaix is always a battle, it’s a real war every year. You need to be strong, but you also need a bit of luck. I believe our lineup was strong and well-positioned in the key moments. Brent was in a position to fight for a top result, close to the group racing for the top places, but the puncture cost him a lot of time. After that, it was very difficult to come back. That’s Roubaix, it’s hard for everyone, and luck is always a factor. We keep building, and now we move forward to the Ardennes next week."
Laurent PichonWith back-to-back top 20 finishes in the two biggest cobbled Monuments, Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team confirms its trajectory: resilient, aggressive, and increasingly competitive on cycling’s biggest stages.
The Hell of the North once again delivered chaos, and the team answered with grit.
Now, the focus shifts to the Ardennes.
