CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

BERGARA, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Paul Seixas of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM celebrates at podium as Yellow Leader Jersey and overall final race winner with the "Txapela" hat trophy during the 65th Itzulia Basque Country 2026, Stage 6 a 135.2km stage from Goizper-Antzuola to Bergara / #UCIWT / on April 11, 2026 in Bergara, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Cycling

Paul’s Here

Winner Team Visma - Lease a Bike's Belgian rider Wout van Aert celebrates on the podium of the 123rd edition of the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic cycling race, 258.3 km between Compiègne and Roubaix, at the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix, northern France, on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Wout van Aert Forever

Team Visma-Lease a Bike's French rider Pauline Ferrand Prevot cycles in a breakaway during the fifth edition of the Paris-Roubaix women's race, 148,5 km between Denain and Roubaix, northern France on April 12, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s Quick Return Makes A Great Cycling Season Better

WAREGEM, BELGIUM - MARCH 27: Matteo Jorgenson of The United States and Team Visma | Lease a Bike celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 78th Dwars Door Vlaanderen 2024 - Men's Elite a 188.6km one day race from Roeselare to Waregem / #UCIWT / on March 27, 2024 in Waregem, Belgium. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Wout van Aert’s Pain Is Matteo Jorgenson’s Opportunity

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates celebrates after winning the 86th edition of the men's race 'La Fleche Wallonne', a one day cycling race (Waalse Pijl - Walloon Arrow), 194,2 km from Herve to Huy, Wednesday 19 April 2023. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)