Paris-Roubaix 2026
12.04
Wout van Aert upset Tadej Pogacar to win Paris-Roubaix after a chaotic, mechanical filled race, outsprinting the world champion on the Roubaix velodrome following a tense 54 km duel at the front. The pair held off a late charge from Mathieu van der Poel, who fought back from earlier punctures but came up just short, while Jasper Stuyven took third after attacking from the chasing group.
How to watch?
Curious about how to watch the 2026 Paris-Roubaix? Discover it in our complete how-to-watch guide, featuring a full overview of all broadcasters and streaming options.
Route
The Paris-Roubaix route covers 258.3km and features 30 cobbled sectors totalling nearly 55km. After a tense opening phase, the race truly begins at Troisvilles to Inchy, before a dense sequence of sectors increases the pressure heading towards the key points of the race. The Trouée d’Arenberg is the first major test, where positioning and luck are crucial, often reshaping the race.
From there, the intensity remains high with sectors like Hornaing and Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières. Mons-en-Pévèle, with under 50km to go, is another decisive point, combining technical difficulty with accumulated fatigue. The final selection is often made at Carrefour de l’Arbre, the last five star sector, where the strongest riders emerge.
After the cobbles, a technical run-in leads to the Roubaix Velodrome, where either a solo winner or a tactical sprint decides the outcome of one of cycling’s most brutal races.
Read more about the route in our preview.
Favourites
Mathieu van der Poel starts as the clear favourite, chasing a fourth consecutive win at Paris-Roubaix, with Jasper Philipsen offering a strong alternative for Alpecin-Premier Tech. Tadej Pogacar is the main challenger after finishing second on debut and arrives unbeaten this season, aiming for cycling history.
Wout van Aert leads a strong Team Visma Lease a Bike squad and remains a major contender despite past misfortune in Roubaix. Mads Pedersen represents Lidl-Trek’s best chance and looks to be building form at the right time.
Outsiders include Filippo Ganna, who has specifically targeted the race, and Florian Vermeersch, who has a strong Roubaix track record. With multiple teams bringing depth and tactical options, the race is set up for another high level battle between the sport’s biggest names.
Read more about the favourites in our preview and explore the start list via this link.
