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There are races that are won with legs. And then there's Paris-Roubaix , which is conquered with heart, mind, and a good dose of luck. Even in 2026, the "Hell of the North" promises to be an epic tale of dust, rocks, and extreme endurance.

The race kicks off from Compiègne in an almost deceptive atmosphere. The first few kilometers pass relatively calmly, along wide roads and a compact peloton. But it's only a superficial calm: teams and leaders are already battling for the top spots, knowing everything will soon change.

The true entrance into legend comes with the first cobbled sector. From that moment, the race changes.

Then the Arenberg Forest appears. An endless, harsh, cruel straight. Here the peloton breaks up mercilessly: anyone who loses position risks saying goodbye to their dreams of glory. It's not yet the decisive point, but it's the place where the race reveals itself for what it truly is.

After Arenberg, the tension never subsides. Sector after sector, the cobblestones consume energy and men. In Mons-en-Pévèle, the race takes shape: the strongest remain ahead, while the others chase, now hopelessly.

And then comes the moment everyone's waiting for: the Carrefour de l'Arbre . There's no more bluffing here.

The final kilometers are a mixture of fatigue and legend. Entering the Roubaix Velodrome is one of the most iconic moments in the sport. In total, the riders will have to cover 258.3 kilometers (900 meters less than in 2025), 54.8 of which are cobblestones (compared to 55.2 last year). There are 30 cobblestone sectors in total.

The name on everyone's lips is certainly Tadej Pogacar . Second last year, on his debut, he was stopped by a slip that cost him a duel with Mathieu Van der Poel. This year he's back at it, buoyed by his victories at Sanremo and Flanders, and eager to claim a sensational hat-trick in his pursuit of all five Monuments this season.

Van der Poel has already won it three times, and it's natural to think of him as a four-peat. His aggressive style and technical prowess make him perfect for taming the cobblestones. When he attacks, few can follow.

At his side, his longtime rival: Wout van Aert . Complete, powerful, tireless. He's one of those who can resist anything and fight for victory until the final meter. As long as luck is on his side.

Then there's Mads Pedersen , a solid and intelligent rider. If he can stay in the right group, his speed can be lethal in the velodrome.

Filippo Ganna is also arousing great interest. His power is devastating, and on a course like this, he can test his moves from afar, turning the race into an endurance time trial.

Not enough? Rewatch our live tier list dedicated to the most legendary race of the year: (1) POGACAR goes for the THIRD MONUMENT in a row | Paris-Roubaix 2026 tier list - YouTube