Paris-Roubaix 2026 preview - Pogacar and Van der Poel on the brink of history

The final act of cycling’s Holy Week, Paris-Roubaix, stands as one of the sport’s most iconic races and, for many, one of the hardest to win.

Nicknamed “The Hell of the North”, Paris-Roubaix is defined by its brutal cobbled sectors of varying shapes and sizes, as the peloton makes its way across northern France towards the legendary finish at the Roubaix Velodrome.

Across 122 editions, 90 different riders have etched their names into its history.

From Bernard Hinault, who reportedly crashed seven times while wearing the rainbow jersey in 1981 yet still went on to win, to Mathew Hayman’s fairytale triumph in 2016 just weeks after breaking his arm, the race has produced countless iconic stories. On April 12, another chapter will be written on the cobbles of northern France.

Twelve months ago, Tadej Pogacar made his highly anticipated debut at Paris-Roubaix, arriving fresh off his second victory at the Tour of Flanders. Awaiting him was Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning world champion and winner of the previous two editions, setting the stage for a blockbuster duel on the cobbles.

The pair eventually came together on the brutal Mons en Pévèle sector, but with 38 kilometres remaining, Pogacar misjudged a corner and crashed into the verge. It proved decisive. Van der Poel pushed on alone and would not see his rival again until the finish inside the Roubaix Velodrome. The Dutchman sealed a third consecutive victory, while Pogacar had to settle for second place on debut. Behind them, Mads Pedersen outsprinted Wout van Aert and Florian Vermeersch to complete the podium.

In doing so, Van der Poel became the first rider since Francesco Moser in 1980 to win three consecutive editions of Paris Roubaix, while also extending a streak of Dutch victories that began with Dylan van Baarle in 2022.

This year, the spotlight once again falls on Van der Poel and Pogacar as they prepare to renew their rivalry on the cobbles of northern France. Having already won Milan Sanremo, Pogacar has the chance to join Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck and Rik Van Looy as the only riders to win all five Monuments.

Van der Poel, meanwhile, is chasing a milestone of his own, with a fourth Paris Roubaix victory placing him alongside De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen as joint record holder.

Key information: 

• Date -  Sunday, April 12
• Distance - 258.3km
• Start Location - Compiègne
• Finish Location - Roubaix
• Start time (CET) - 11:05
• Fastest Expected finish (CET) - 16:35

Follow all the action via our live report!

The men's route for 2026 will cover 258.3km, marginally shorter than the 259.2km distance raced in 2025.

In total, there are 30 categorised cobbled sectors, spanning 54.8km. Each sector is assigned a difficulty rating, with one star denoting the easiest sections, comparable to city centre cobbles, while five stars are reserved for the most demanding and brutal stretches of the race.

The Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l'Arbre once again carry a five-star rating.

The race will start in Compiègne, as it has done since 1997, located northeast of Paris.

There are 95.8km before the first cobbled sector, but that does not mean a calm start to the race.

The fight for the breakaway can take a long time at Paris-Roubaix, largely due to the historical success of early moves and the clear advantage of being ahead before the decisive battle for position into the cobbled sectors.

In recent editions, wind has also played a significant role on the exposed roads, with the threat of echelons keeping riders constantly alert.

The first sector, from Troisvilles to Inchy, comes after 162.5km, after which the route broadly follows a similar path to recent editions.

On that occasion, Alpecin-Premier Tech blew the race apart early, and a similar scenario could unfold again, with a dense sequence of cobbled sectors coming in quick succession up to sector 26, Briastre.

“By veering slightly east towards the village of Briastre, we arrive at a situation where the first four sectors follow one another in quick succession, with almost no asphalt in between, creating an unmatched density of cobbles,” explained race director Thierry Gouvenou during the route presentation by Amaury Sport Organisation in February.

“At the end of this sequence, we are adding sector 26, which is rarely used and features an 800 metre climb,” Gouvenou added.

The route then moves through sectors 25 to 21, none of which exceed a three star rating. However, the difficulty ramps up again at sector 20, from Haveluy to Wallers, with 104.6km remaining.

It is the second four star sector of the day, but more importantly, it comes just before arguably the most iconic stretch of the race, the Trouée d'Arenberg. As a result, the fight for position heading into Arenberg is always intense, particularly on the approach from Wallers.

The run in to the Forest is so demanding that race organisers introduced a chicane in 2024 to reduce entry speeds and limit the risk of crashes before riders hit the notoriously brutal cobbles.

Once inside, the peloton is confronted with some of the most unforgiving terrain in professional cycling. The long, straight sector, combined with the dark, enclosed setting and the noise of the crowds, creates an atmosphere that feels more like survival than racing.

At 2.3km in length, the sector is long enough to completely reshape the race. While it is unlikely to decide the winner, given the 95.3km still remaining, it can very quickly end a rider’s chances.

The riders exit the Trouée d'Arenberg onto a main road, offering a brief moment to assess the damage and, for those distanced, a chance to attempt a return.

There is little time to recover, however, as the cobbled sectors come thick and fast from this point onward.

Over the next 20 kilometres, a series of demanding sectors follow, including sector 17, Hornaing to Wandignies, the longest of the race at 3.7km. The sector is named after John Degenkolb, in recognition of his efforts to help preserve the junior edition of Paris-Roubaix.

Another key point comes at sector 15, Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières, with 71.5km remaining. It was here twelve months ago that Tadej Pogačar launched his move, taking Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen clear, while Mads Pedersen was delayed by a puncture.

The approach to the second five star sector is often underestimated. Sector 12, Auchy-Lez-Orchies to Bersée, stretches for 2.7km and carries a four star rating, coming just a few kilometres before the more feared sector 11, Mons-en-Pévèle, with 48.6km remaining.

Like Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle holds legendary status at Paris-Roubaix. The 3km sector is known for its undulating surface and two sharp ninety degree corners where positioning is crucial and mistakes are easily made. It was here in 2024 that Mathieu van der Poel made his decisive move on his way to victory in the fastest ever edition, raced at an average speed of 47.85km/h.

By this point, fatigue is already a major factor. While sectors 10 to 6 do not exceed a three star rating, the accumulated effort of the race begins to take its toll. Every cobble and acceleration is felt deep in the legs. Sector 9, Pont-Thibaut to Ennevelin, also marks the spot where Tadej Pogačar crashed in last year’s edition.

The build up to the final five star sector is equally demanding. Sector 5, Camphin-en-Pévèle, is 1.8km of relentless cobbles with just 19.9km remaining. A defining feature is the sharp right hand corner midway through, often providing a striking visual as riders surge through at full speed.

That is somewhat overshadowed by the final five star test, sector 4, Carrefour de l’Arbre with 17.1km remaining. At this stage of the race, it is not just the brutality of the 2.1km cobbled stretch, but the accumulated fatigue that makes it so decisive.

Once the riders exit Carrefour de l’Arbre, they know the hardest cobbles are behind them, but the race is far from over.

Sector 3, Gruson, is less demanding and is followed by sector 2, Willems to Hem, with 8.1km to go.

From there, the run-in to Roubaix often becomes tactical. Road furniture, tight corners and slight rises create opportunities for late attacks before the final push towards the velodrome.

The final sector of the race, Roubaix (Espace Charles Crupelandt), is the easiest of the day at just 0.3km. With 1.4km remaining, it marks the last stretch of cobbles before the riders turn towards the iconic Roubaix Velodrome. The names of former winners are etched into the stones beneath their wheels, a final reminder of the race’s history as they push towards the finish.

Once on the velodrome, the riders complete half a lap before the bell signals the final 500 metres. In the event of a sprint, there are several tactical options. Some will look to control the centre line, while others may use the banking to build speed and launch a late move.

In recent years, however, tactics have played little role, with the last four editions won solo. The most recent sprint finish remains that of Sonny Colbrelli, who triumphed in the rain soaked 2021 edition.

It is this combination of relentless difficulty and iconic finale that makes Paris-Roubaix one of the most prestigious races in the sport.

Alpecin-Premier Tech turns up with a really strong duo. Mathieu van der Poel has won the race for the past three years, making him the obvious favourite once again, especially given the form he has shown in recent weeks.

However, Jasper Philipsen is also a very interesting card to play. He finished second in both 2023 and 2024. Last year, he ended up 11th after struggling following his heavy crash in Nokere Koerse. He still made the split with Tadej Pogačar and Van der Poel, but lacked the endurance in the final.

This year, he looks to be back in top shape, giving Alpecin an additional and very strong option.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG bring another clear favourite in Tadej Pogačar. On his debut, he finished second here last year. He was still in contention for victory, riding alongside Van der Poel, when he misjudged a corner and crashed. Unable to immediately get his chain back on, he lost contact, and the race was gone.

He has already been spotted reconning the course multiple times in 2026, suggesting he is determined not to repeat that mistake. He also remains unbeaten this season, having won Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo, and the Tour of Flanders.

Florian Vermeersch is another intriguing option for UAE. On his Paris-Roubaix debut in 2021, he finished second, and last year he placed fifth after losing the sprint for third. This season, he appears to be in even better shape and has indicated that this is the one race where he will also be given the freedom to ride for himself alongside Pogačar.

Team Visma | Lease a Bike also arrive with a very strong squad. Wout van Aert will be their clear leader. In 2022, he finished second after missing the Tour of Flanders due to COVID-19. In 2023, he placed third after suffering a puncture on the Carrefour de l’Arbre while attacking. In 2024, he missed the race following his crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen, and in 2025, he finished fourth after an early crash aggravated his injured knee. 

In short, he is a better Roubaix rider than his results suggest, and without bad luck, he should be in contention for victory.

Christophe Laporte is another rider not to be underestimated. His run of bad luck, both in and outside Paris-Roubaix, has been extensive, but he now appears to be returning to form. If things finally go his way, he could surprise.

Per Strand Hagenes has also been plagued by misfortune, but seems to have rediscovered his level this year. His profile suits Roubaix well, making him another interesting option. As for Matthew Brennan, it remains somewhat of an unknown. Illness disrupted his build up to Milan-Sanremo, but his talent is undeniable. The races he has completed should still benefit him heading into Roubaix. Last year, he was well positioned throughout, but illness closer to the race left him without the strength to finish strongly.

Lidl Trek will look to Mads Pedersen. After his crash in Valenciana, he quickly bounced back with a fourth place at Milan-Sanremo. He appeared slightly off in E3 and Dwars door Vlaanderen, but looked strong again at the Tour of Flanders. With another week to build form, this could be his best suited race of the spring. Pedersen has also had his share of bad luck in Roubaix, so if everything falls into place, he could be a major contender.

He is supported by an exceptionally strong team. Mathias Vacek, Søren Kragh Andersen, Mathias Norsgaard, Jakob Söderqvist, Max Walscheid and Jonathan Milan are all capable of finishing in the top ten. Milan could be kept as a late option, while others may be sent up the road. Those who miss the break can support Pedersen early, while those who make it can play a role later in the race. Walscheid, in particular, is a rider who could go deep into the final.

Ineos Grenadiers look set to rely on a trio of leaders. Filippo Ganna stands out after winning Dwars door Vlaanderen and skipping the Tour of Flanders to fully focus on this race. Joshua Tarling and Ben Turner also offer strong options, while Samuel Watson could be a factor if he recovers well from his crash.

Soudal Quick-Step always bring a competitive squad. Jasper Stuyven looks like their best option after rediscovering his form following illness. Dylan van Baarle, winner in 2022, could also play a role, potentially by going up the road early as he has a lot of trouble with positioning nowadays.

Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe brings a squad full of options. For Jordi Meeus, it is one of his main goals of the season. He is still primarily seen as a sprinter, but has proven on multiple occasions that he has the engine for a race like this. Laurence Pithie also thrives on this terrain. He unfortunately crashed out of last year’s edition, but in 2024 he delivered an impressive seventh place finish. The Van Dijke brothers, Mick van Dijke and Tim van Dijke, are well suited to the cobbles, while Gianni Vermeersch adds further depth. All have shown good form, making their tactical approach one to watch.

Uno-X Mobility also field a strong lineup. Søren Wærenskjold comes in with momentum after a podium at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Jonas Abrahamsen is another powerful option, while Rasmus Tiller and Erik Nordsæter Resell add further strength.

Bahrain Victorious will look towards Alec Segaert and Matej Mohorič. Segaert is in excellent form after winning the GP Denain, while Mohoric appears to have put last season’s misfortune behind him and has already shown he can perform in races like this.

Other interesting names include John Degenkolb, Axel Huens, Stefan Bissegger, Kasper Asgreen, Thomas De Gendt, Brent Van Moer, Daan Hoole, Marco Haller, Martin Mihkels, Jonas Rutsch, Yevgeniy Fedorov and Mike Teunissen.

It looks set to be a dry week leading into Paris-Roubaix, with similar conditions expected on race day. That means a far cry from the infamous wet and muddy 2021 edition, a scenario many riders will be relieved to avoid.