The riders will leave Compiègne on Sunday to measure themselves against the queen of the Classics.
Place in the hell of the North. After a high-flying Tour of Flanders, Tadej Pogacar will leave the field open, Sunday April 9, at Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, both punished by the Slovenian ogre in the Flemish mountains. Throughout the 256.6 kilometers of the course, the duel at the top between the two enemy brothers promises to sparkwith the same objective for both men: a first success in this event.
A ruthless course with 54.5 kilometers of cobblestones
The Hell of the North is aptly named. 256.6 kilometers separate the start from Compiègne and the finish at the Roubaix velodrome, with no less than 54.5 kilometers of cobblestones spread over 29 sectors. This 120th edition of Paris-Roubaix takes up the standards of previous years, in addition to the return of the Haspres sector (at kilometer 139.6) which has not been offered on the course since the 2004 edition. The various difficulties will increase until passing through the mythical Trouée d’Arenberg, located just under 100 kilometers from the finish.
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One of the most difficult cobbled sections of the course, 2.3 kilometers long, will give a first idea of the main competitors cut for victory. Subsequently, the leaders will have the opportunity to explain themselves during the two other key sectors of Mons-en-Pévèle (3 kilometers) and Carrefour de l’Arbre (2.1 kilometers).
Who to pick up Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert?
The battle announced before the Tour of Flanders did not disappoint. If Tadej Pogacar led the dance on the Ronde, disgusting Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, the cards will be reshuffled in the north of France in his absence. Without the leader of the Team UAE Emirates, the two riders will present themselves as big favourites. But the Belgian Wout van Aert, unable to follow the wheel of his two rivals last weekend, hinted at a crack in the armor.
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However, it is difficult to give a forecast, the last eleven editions having been won by eleven different riders. Without counting the two monsters of world cycling, the list of potential winners is long. On your mind, Mads Pedersen, third in the Tour of Flanders, Filippo Ganna, second behind Van der Poel at Milan-Sanremo, ou encore Dylan van Baarle, victorious last season on Paris-Roubaix with the formation Ineos Grenadiers, who should however ride in the interest of his new team leader at Jumbo-Visma, Wout van Aert.
Finally a French victory after 26 years of waiting?
It’s been twenty-six years since Frédéric Guesdon’s victory in 1997 that a tricolor rider has not entered his name on the Paris-Roubaix prize list. Four names stand out. Winner of Gand-Wevelgem then of Through Flanders, Christophe Laporte will have to benefit from a very favorable scenario to win on the cobblestones of the North. The luxury teammate of Wout van Aert will indeed have the primary mission of propelling the Belgian to victory. In case of failure of his leader, the Provençal will have his say.
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Anthony Turgis, dsecond in Through Flanders in 2019 and fourth in the Tour of Flanders in 2020, has already proven his love for the so-called “Flandrian” classics. Especially since he has never had the opportunity to shine in his three participations in Paris-Roubaix (18th in 2019, 13th in 2021, retirement in 2022).
Where and when to follow Paris-Roubaix?
The Queen of the Classics will be available on all screens, Sunday April 9, from 10:50 a.m. on France 3 or on the website france.tv. This 120th edition is commented by Alexandre Pasteur, Marion Rousse and Laurent Jalabert, while Thomas Voeckler and Nicolas Geay will be on the bikes at the heart of the race.
