The 2024 Paris-Roubaix Femmes was characterised by a titanic battle between the world's best, played out on the farm tracks of northern France.
In the end, the lasting memory will be the seldom-seen iconic image of a rainbow jersey clad rider delivering the victory salute inside Roubaix's open-air velodrome. Belgium's Lotte Kopecky made history as the first woman to achieve that feat.
Along the way, however, are pictures of the many stories that Paris-Roubaix tells each time the race is run – stories of misfortune, pain, and relief all set to the backdrop of cycling's most feared cobbled sectors.
Photographer Chris Auld captured some of the race's most characterful moments, and below are some of our favourite shots from the Hell of the North.
All eyes were on the world champion before the start in Denain
A lighter moment before the carnage for riders from Lifeplus-Wahoo
Before the cobbles, time for some photos with the fans
Liv-AlUla-Jayco's Teniel Campbell has ridden all four editions of Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Pfeiffer Georgi (dsm-firmenich-Post NL) looking focussed before the start
The bike belonging to Chinese national champion Luyao Zeng (Winspace)
Some riders tried used strapping on their fingers and hands to help ease the vibrations of the cobbles
Cobbles, cobbles and more cobbles on the cue-sheet for the day
Lorena Wiebes would play a key support role on the day for her SD Worx-Protime team-mate Lotte Kopecky
The peloton stretched across the road in an early part of the race
Time for some pavé
As soon as the race hit the cobbles, the favourites moved to the front of the bunch
Most of the raced seemed a blur, as a strong tailwind pushed the riders northward towards Roubaix
20 years on from her father's victory in the men's race, it was a break-out performance by Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM), who finished in 16th place
Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) takes care to avoid the wet part of the cobbles
World Champion Kopecky came alive whenever the race hit the rough stuff
Many fans came out to see if the world champion could win her first Roubaix
The favourites fly past a farm building
It's tough out the back on the cobbles
Local rider and French national champion Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) was impressive over her home roads, finishing in 8th place
Sophie von Berswordt put in a lot of work for her Visma-Lease a Bike leader Vos in the second half of the race
Wiebes looked strong on the cobbles throughout the race
Jade Wiel (FDJ-Suez) put in an impressive attack
The leading six preparing to sprint for the cobblestone trophy
After 148.5km and 17 cobbled sectors, the riders gave it everything in the final dash
World Champion, Queen of the Classics
Wiel takes a moment to rest after a tough day on the bike
Former Roubaix champion Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) smiling as ever after crossing the line
Finishing relief for riders from Ceratizit-WNT
The hands can take a real bruising over the cobblestones
Maëlle Grossetête (Human Powered Health) stares into the distance after finishing 34th
Pfeiffer Georgi was delighted with her place on the podium
Balsamo initially looked heartbroken after being passed in the final metres, but was pleased with her second-place after time to reflect
Kopecky, Balsamo and Georgi on the podium of the fourth Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Kopecky admires her first cobblestone trophy
