Mads Pedersen put in one of the best classic performances of his career last weekend at the Tour of Flanders.

This Sunday, he heads to Paris-Roubaix as one of the leading contenders for glory on the Roubaix velodrome.

"I am 100% happy in Flanders. I am 100% happy in Flanders. I didn't make any mistakes myself and I think it was a good result.

"It's a completely different race," Pedersen said of Paris-Roubaix. 'I've seen the big three in other races, especially in E3, but on the uphill it was on another level.'

"In Roubaix, there's not as much climbing. There are a few, but not like in Flanders.

The former world champion is one of many Classics contenders who have fallen behind Van der Pol, Pogachar, and Wout Van Aert this spring, and that power gap has affected the team's overall tactics throughout the Classics season.

"You can see in every race how each team tried to predict and challenge them. But they are always stronger, and even when we try to challenge them, they are still better than us.

"In Flanders, we saw a difference in the way the teams developed their races. In Flanders, I saw a difference in the way the teams raced. But if you anticipate early and get out in front, you never know what can happen. If Pogachar had a flat tire or another 20 seconds at Kwaremont, he and Mathieu could have taken the lead.

"We know we can't win on pure power, so we're trying to grab the race in a different way and beat them. But Roubaix is a different race than Flanders, and the watts per kilometer are not as big a difference as in Flanders.

While Van Aert questioned his own form and condition ahead of Paris-Roubaix, Pedersen defended his rival with unusual strength.

"The media is questioning Wout, which I don't think is fair. 'He's one of the best cyclists in the world and he continues to put on great performances. It's not easy to be a superstar like him and everyone is looking at him."

"So I think this question mark that the media in particular is putting on him is total bullshit and they should give him more credit."

He expressed similar praise for another major contender, Van der Pol, saying, "He is one of the biggest stars in cycling right now, and if not for bad luck, he would be 100% [there]. Yes, I expect him to ride like he always does and basically race the final like he does in every race"

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For all the serious talk about the "big two" and the tactics of him and the other teams, Pedersen gave a lighthearted answer to a question about who his top favorite for glory would be.

Asked if it was "the brains or the heart," he smiled and replied, "myself and myself."

Pedersen will likely be the outright leader of Trek Segafredo on Sunday, but with Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theus also on the team, he will be part of a strong lineup in Compiègne.

And Dutchman Daan Hoole, who played a key role in Pedersen's race in Flanders last week, is expected to be a major asset for the Dane on Sunday.

"Houle showed us in Flanders and he can definitely do it in Roubaix. So I expect really good things from Daane."

With the news that Jumbo Visma's experimental tire pressure adjustment system will be introduced in Paris-Roubaix, Pedersen was one of many riders asked about the new technology.

"I want to get my hands on the product and try it out myself to see how it works," he said. "I can also actually give you guys a valid opinion on the idea of using this. They must believe in this. If they didn't, they wouldn't be in the race."

"Someone has to try it first. If Team DSM and Jumbo Visma are the only ones in the top five, that would be a smart move."