This Sunday, the cobbles return. The 122nd edition of
Paris–Roubaix, cycling’s most brutal and iconic one-day race, promises another
epic showdown in the Hell of the North. With Mathieu van der Poel chasing
history, Tadej Pogacar making his highly anticipated debut, and Wout van Aert
seeking his first cobbled monument, all eyes will be on Roubaix this weekend.
Paris–Roubaix is like no other event on the cycling
calendar. Over its punishing 260km course, the world’s best riders will battle
not just each other, but 53.7km of unforgiving pave, the legendary cobbled farm
roads that define this Monument.
The cobbles
While the 2025 route closely resembles recent editions, it
features a slight reduction in cobblestone distance, down by two kilometres
from last year. But that’s not really much reason for the riders to breathe a
sigh of relief is it!
Still, the pavé makes up more than 20% of the total course,
and each sector has the potential to end a rider’s chances in a heartbeat.
The race begins in Compiègne and heads north toward Roubaix,
with a total of 30 cobbled sectors. As ever, three five-star segments are set
to define the race…
Trouée d’Arenberg – The notorious "Trench of
Arenberg" arrives roughly 100km from the finish. Though far from the line,
it regularly causes chaos, splitting the peloton through crashes, mechanicals,
or sheer exhaustion. This year, there will be no artificial chicane at the
entrance; instead, riders will take a slight detour past the Fosse Arenberg
mining towers, before hitting the cobbles at full power.
Mons-en-Pévèle – A long, uneven stretch where fatigue
begins to tell and teamwork can start to falter. It’s often the site of major
selections and where contenders begin to show their hands.
Carrefour de l’Arbre – The final five-star sector, around
15km from the finish, is usually where the decisive moves are made. In 2023, it
was here that Van der Poel attacked and rode away after Van Aert suffered a
puncture. The Carrefour remains the last real chance to split the race before
the run-in to Roubaix.
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From there, the riders continue north, navigating the final
cobbled challenges before entering the legendary Roubaix Velodrome. There, with
one and a half laps to race under the roar of the crowd, the victor receives
one of the most peculiar, and cherished, prizes in cycling: a cobblestone
trophy and the customary golden shower plaque in the velodrome’s communal
showers.
Although, if I was one of the riders, I wouldn’t want to see
another cobblestone for a very long time!
Hat-trick for Van der Poel?
Mathieu van der Poel enters Sunday’s race as the defending
champion and arguably still the clear favourite. If he wins, it will mean he has
won Paris–Roubaix three years in a row, a feat achieved by Octave Lapize
(1909–1911) and Francesco Moser (1978–1980).
The Dutchman’s record at this race is extraordinary. In four
starts, he has never finished outside the top 10:.
- 2021 – 3rd (on debut)
- 2022 – 9th (his "worst" result)
- 2023 – 1st (following a solo attack after Van Aert’s puncture)
- 2024 – 1st (winning in rainbow)
Van der Poel’s mastery over the cobbles is undeniable. He
thrives in attritional conditions and possesses the rare blend of power,
endurance, and instinct needed to tame Paris–Roubaix.
But he couldn’t tame a certain beast over the border in
Belgium last weekend…
Pogacar’s debut
The presence of Tadej Pogacar adds a tantalising unknown to
this year’s race. Just one week after his commanding victory at the Tour of
Flanders, the three-time Tour de France champion takes on Paris–Roubaix for the
very first time.
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On paper, this is the one Monument that doesn’t suit him at
all. The flat, punishing nature of the cobbles has traditionally favoured
heavier, pure power riders, not climbers. But Pogacar is no ordinary GC
contender. He’s won Flanders twice, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and even animated the
cobbled stages at the Tour de France in 2022. There is no one quite like him.
Roubaix’s challenge will be different from anything Pogacar
has faced, but if anyone can defy the rulebook, it’s him.
Wout van Aert close to top form?
For Wout van Aert, this season has already been filled with
frustration. A strong fourth place at the Tour of Flanders was his first major
result of 2025, and after a 2024 season derailed by injury, he’ll be hungry to
show he still belongs at the sharp end of the Monuments.
Roubaix has brought the Belgian both promise and heartbreak
in equal measure. He finished second in 2022 and was among the strongest in
2023 before a cruel puncture on the Carrefour de l’Arbre ended his hopes.
His form at Flanders, where he repeatedly responded to
attacks from both Pogacar and Van der Poel, suggests he’s nearing top condition
again at last.
While the spotlight shines brightest on the big three, the
Paris–Roubaix field runs deep with contenders. Filippo Ganna, Mads Pedersen,
Stefan Küng, and Jasper Stuyven are all proven classics riders who could take
advantage of any tactical hesitation.
The weather forecast could also play a role. Though dry
conditions are currently expected, the wind may shift across the weekend,
potentially creating crosswinds and adding another layer of unpredictability to
an already chaotic race.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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