The 26-year-old Pogacar was riding his debut Paris Roubaix, but it was not surprising that the world champions caused a decisive move in the race.
The three Tour de France winner attacked his favorite group in the front at 71km, with only 30-year-old van der Poel able to counter.
Dutchman lost progress to allow Alpecin Deconnick’s teammate Jasper Philipsen to join before Alpecin Deconnick’s teammate Jasper Philipsen returns 23km later.
From there, it seemed like the riders were most likely left behind, but Van del Poel’s incredible bike handling skills and the Paris Roubaix experience were essential, and it proved that Pogacal had a great corner and was too fast to slip into the mud.
It wasn’t a serious crash, but it was an advantage to give in, even if Vander Poel had suffered from a punk later. And just before Pogakar entered the Velodrome, the Dutch crossed the line and won in 1 minute and 18 seconds.
Danish’s Mads Pedersen won the sprint in third place, with the Belgians holding back Van Art and Florian Vermesch. British Fred Wright finished in ninth place.
“We all know what Tadej is, an incredible champion – he was in his first Roubek, which doesn’t surprise me, but that’s not normal either, he’s an exceptional talent,” added van der Poel.
“If he doesn’t make a mistake, we both will go to Belodome and we’ll see him revenge next year.”
Vander Poel has won eight of the oldest and most prestigious “monument” races in men’s cycling after the Slovenians claimed to tour Flanders last week.
Only five riders have won the monuments Eddy Mercx (19), Roger de Vlaeminck (11), Costante Girardengo, Fausto Coppi and Sean Kelly (9).
Van der Paul and Pogacar have won all three monuments between them this year, but Pogacar is highly preferred in the two remaining two, Liège Bastonal Reige and Il Lombardy.
Pogacar has two Liège Bastogne Lisi titles, winning the final four editions of IL Lombardy with climbing abilities suitable for the terrain of Hilliers in both races.
