Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Sunday 11 April
Distance: 143.1km
Start: 13:35 BST
Finish: 15:50 BST
Paris-Roubaix
Sunday 11 April
Distance: 258.3km
Start: 10:50 BST
Finish: 15:35 BST
The biggest French one-day race of the year happens this Sunday, with both Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes subjecting some of the best bike riders in the world to the brutality of the cobbles of northern France. It is the culmination of the cobbled Classics season, the denouement of a March and April of hard racing in Belgium.
The men tackle 30 cobbled sectors totalling 54.98km, which are all ranked from five to one stars - five being the hardest. There are three five star sectors in the men's race - the Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and the Carrefour de l'Arbre, with six four star sectors.
The women will ride 20 cobbled sectors totalling 33.7km, with two five stars included - Pévèle and the Carrefour.
Some of the best riders in the world will be on the start lines, and not all are Roubaix specialists - one Tadej Pogačar springs to mind. Alongside him, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen will likely star in the men's race.
In Roubaix Femmes, defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will battle against Lotte Kopecky, Elise Chabbey and Zoe Bäckstedt, among others.
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Five things to look out for at Paris-Roubaix
Atypical winners
The defending champion in the women’s race, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, will not be present this year, but she set a template for a different kind of rider to win Roubaix. The Frenchwoman won Roubaix and the Tour de France Femmes in the same year, and will inspire Tadej Pogačar to think that he can do the same thing this season. The Slovenian finished second last year, and comes back to finish it off.
Denain and Compiègne, not Paris
The men’s race begins in Compiègne, 80km north of Paris since 1977, with the first cobbles coming after about 100km. The women’s race, meanwhile, begins in Denain, with the first cobbles coming after about 65km. There are 30 sectors for the men, and 20 for the women. For the first time, the races will happen both on the same day, Sunday, so there’s more action for the fans, but a bit more a scramble for journalists…
Sun or rain
Much to the chagrin of fans who love to see the chaos of mud that rain at Roubaix brings, it is unlikely to happen this year once again for races. However, spots of rain could help a long-range attack, like Lizzie Deignan’s in 2021, or those in the bunch with cyclo-cross skills, like Mathieu van der Poel, Marianne Vos and Puck Pieterse. The weather being so important to the race is part of its excitement. A mudbath would cause chaos.
British hope
In the women’s event, Zoe Bäckstedt can count herself an outstanding favourite, Cat Ferguson is a serious contender, at 19, while Pfeiffer Georgi finished on the podium in 2024 and could return there again. In the men’s race, Matthew Brennan is very much an option if he is fit and firing, after winning at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne earlier this year. Fred Wright and Lewis Askey, both at new teams, can’t be discounted either.
French Flanders
The whole of Paris-Roubaix takes place in France, it is a very French affair, being organised by the Tour de France’s owners, ASO. However, the key parts of the race take part in Flanders, but not Belgian Flanders, French Flanders. The border areas in the north of France share many characteristics with places just across the border, and a love for strong beer, frites, and bike racing. The lion of Flanders flag is never far away, even if this is France.
Focus on: the Trouée d'Arenberg
The key point of the men’s Roubaix is not a climb but a very flat road just outside Wallers in Northern France. Well, it’s flat apart from the huge cobbles, which are supposedly the worst-maintained sector along the whole route. It runs between trees on either side, and riders are hemmed in by metal barriers, and roaring fans. It is one of three five-star sectors, and although it usually doesn’t provide the winner, you have to be near the front at the end of the Arenberg in order to have an impact on the race.
Where can I watch Paris-Roubaix?
It is on TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, accessible via a TV package or a HBO Max subscription. Peacock has the rights in the US, SBS On Demand has free coverage in Australia, and you can watch your usual services while abroad with a VPN such as NordVPN. Read more in our in-depth guide.
Last year's Paris-Roubaix podiums
Men’s
1. Mathieu van der Poel, Alpecin-Deceuninck
2. Tadej Pogačar, UAE Team Emirates-XRG
3. Mads Pedersen, Lidl-Trek
Women’s
1. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Visma-Lease a Bike
2. Letizia Borghesi, EF Education-Oatly
3. Lorena Wiebes, SD Worx-Protimes
Riders to watch at Paris-Roubaix
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) *****
Last year it seemed a bit silly to include Tadej Pogačar in this list of riders to watch at Roubaix, given he’s a Tour de France winner who had never raced it before. Then on debut he went and starred, missing out on a shot at victory only through a misjudged corner. Who would ever bet against him?
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) *****
The former champion has the power and the sprint to make Paris-Roubaix Femmes her own domain. With the threat of her teammate Lorena Wiebes behind, it might be a solo attack from the world champion, but also the Belgian has the means if it comes down to a bigger group in the velodrome.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) *****
No rider has ever won for four years in a row. Like Kopecky, the Dutchman could win in multiple different ways, but most likely seems to be a long-range attack. With Jasper Philipsen behind, who has twice finished second, it will be difficult to control.
Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) ***
The Strade Bianche winner might not be the flashiest rider, but she is tough as nails, and her gutsy ride in Italy proved she has the ability to perform on the biggest days. Her best result here was fourth in 2022, but she has always been near the front of the race.
Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) ****
Tenacious, strong, and fast, Van Aert should be a favourite if he makes it to the velodrome in a small group, although history goes out of the window at Roubaix - just remember Mat Hayman vs Tom Boonen. The Belgian will have strong support from his team, and can surely better his two podium finishes here.
Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) ****
Not just wishful thinking, the under-23 world time trial champion is in the form of her life after fifth place at the Tour of Flanders last week, and has the power and the speed to make it happen at Roubaix. Would be an amazing moment.
