France 12 Apr 2026 Class 1.Ncup – 1 day – UCI Class Nations’ Cup
Website asso.nordnet.fr/veloclubroubaix/
Email veloclubroubaix@orange.fr
Paris-Roubaix Juniors One Day Race
| Team / Nation | Notable Riders |
| Netherlands | Thijs Wiersma, Gijs Winters, Noël Goijert, Lars Franken |
| Germany | Karl Herzog, Richard Thoma, Louis Joos, Eero Gündel |
| France | Soen Le Pann, Alban Picard, Lancelot Gayant, Soren Bruyère Joumard |
| Belgium | Mauro Keppens, Wiebe Kimpe, Emil Siegers, Stan Vernaillen |
| United States | Enzo Hincapie, Clark Lavoie, Jacob Hines, Kaison Smith |
| Great Britain | Daniel Thompson, James Canham, Elliot Speedie, Toby Tombs |
| Norway | Sindre Orholm-Lønseth, Ole Jakob Garnvik, Edvin Sortvik Hansen |
| Spain | Alvaro Dominguez, Asier Fortea, Aitor Mata, Raul Lopez |
| Luxembourg | Maximilien Outlet, Ben Koenig, Dave Cichy, Loris Morbé |
| Soudal Quick-Step U19 | Marwan Barhoumi, Simon Defrance, Victor Devos, Jakub Tesařík |
## Weekend Schedule (April 11–12, 2026)
| Event | Date | Location |
| Paris-Roubaix Challenge (Amateurs) | Saturday, April 11 | Routes of 70km, 145km, and 170km |
| Paris-Roubaix Juniors | Sunday, April 12 | Avesnes to Roubaix (105 km) |
| Paris-Roubaix U23 | Sunday, April 12 | Le Cateau-Cambrésis to Roubaix (155 km) |
| Elite Men’s Race | Sunday, April 12 | Compiègne to Roubaix |
| Elite Women’s Race | Sunday, April 12 | Denain to Roubaix |
| No. | Rider | Nationality / Team | Status / Result |
| 101 | Thijs Wiersma | Netherlands (NAT) | 1st (Winner) |
| 31 | Karl Herzog | Germany (NAT) | 2nd |
| 42 | Alban Picard | France (NAT) | 3rd |
| 172 | Dean Woolley | South Africa (NAT) | 4th |
| 103 | Gijs Winters | Netherlands (NAT) | 5th |
| 72 | Enzo Hincapie | United States (NAT) | 6th |
| 51 | Mauro Keppens | Belgium (NAT) | Finisher |
| 91 | Daniel Thompson | Great Britain (NAT) | Finisher |
| 161 | Maximilien Outlet | Luxembourg (NAT) | Finisher |
| 46 | Soren Bruyère Joumard | France (NAT) | DNF (Crash) |
The Paris-Roubaix 2026 weekend saw several Luxembourgish riders competing across the Junior and Women’s WorldTour (WWT) editions. Most notably, Nina Berton secured a strong top-25 finish in the elite women’s race.
Luxembourgish Results: Paris-Roubaix 2026
| Rider | Event | Team | Rank | Gap |
| Nina Berton | Femmes (WWT) | EF Education-Oatly | 24th | + 4′ 42″ |
| Maximilien Outlet | Juniors (Ncup) | Luxembourg (National) | 41st | + 6′ 12″ |
| Ben Koenig | Juniors (Ncup) | Luxembourg (National) | 58th | + 8′ 45″ |
| Dave Cichy | Juniors (Ncup) | Luxembourg (National) | 72nd | + 11′ 20″ |
| Loris Morbé | Juniors (Ncup) | Luxembourg (National) | DNF | — |
Performance Highlights
- Nina Berton: Continuing her upward trajectory in the classics, Berton finished in the second major chase group. Her 24th place is a solid result in a race defined by a brutal pace set by FDJ and Visma-Lease a Bike.
- Junior Squad: The Luxembourgish junior team faced a tough edition marked by heavy crashes in the finale. Maximilien Outlet was the top finisher for the nation, managing to navigate the late-race chaos that saw several favorites go down.
- Elite Men’s Context: While not a “Luxembourgish” result per se, it is worth noting that the men’s elite race (won by Wout van Aert) featured a very high attrition rate, with no Luxembourgish riders cracking the top 50 this year.
The Paris-Roubaix Juniors (often called Le Pavé de Roubaix) is one of the most prestigious events on the youth cycling calendar. Established as a proving ground for the next generation of “Classics” specialists, it is a centerpiece of the UCI Junior Nations’ Cup (1.Ncup).
## Origins and Early History
The race was first organized in 2003 by the Vélo-Club de Roubaix Lille Métropole. Its mission was to provide 17- and 18-year-old riders with the unique challenge of the northern French cobbles before they move into the professional ranks.
- The First Winner: Anthony Colin (France) took the inaugural title in 2003.
- The Geraint Thomas Era: In 2004, the second edition was won by Geraint Thomas, who would go on to win the Tour de France, cementing the race’s reputation for identifying elite talent.
## The “Save the Race” Campaign (2019)
A defining moment in the race’s history occurred in 2019 when it faced imminent cancellation due to a budget shortfall of €10,000.
- John Degenkolb, the 2015 elite Paris-Roubaix winner, launched a crowdfunding campaign to save it.
- The goal was reached within 24 hours. In recognition, the organizers named a four-star cobblestone sector (d’Hornaing à Wandignies-Ham) after Degenkolb—the first time a sector was named after an active rider.
## Race Significance & Format
The race is a UCI 1.Ncup event, meaning it is part of the Nations Cup where riders represent their national teams rather than trade teams. It serves as a vital scouting event for WorldTour teams.
- Distance: Usually ranges between 110 km and 120 km.
- The Cobbles: While shorter than the pro race, it includes roughly 17 sectors of pavé, including the legendary Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre.
- The Finish: Like the elites, the juniors finish with one and a half laps of the iconic Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix.
## Notable Past Winners
The “Honor Roll” of Paris-Roubaix Juniors reads like a Who’s Who of modern cycling:
| Year | Winner | Future Achievement |
| 2004 | Geraint Thomas (GBR) | Tour de France Winner |
| 2008 | Andrew Fenn (GBR) | Pro Classics Specialist |
| 2010 | Jasper Stuyven (BEL) | Milan-San Remo Winner |
| 2013 | Mads Pedersen (DEN) | World Champion |
| 2017 | Tom Pidcock (GBR) | Olympic Gold (MTB) & TDF Stage Winner |
| 2024 | Jakob Omrzel (SLO) | Rising Star |
## Recent Trends
In recent years, the race has seen a shift toward more international dominance. While the early 2000s were dominated by French and Belgian riders, recent editions have seen a string of victories from Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, reflecting the global expansion of high-level junior development programs.
Luxembourg has a strong tradition in the Paris-Roubaix Juniors (UCI 1.Ncup), and for the 2026 edition, the national team continues to be a competitive presence in the field of 136 riders.
## Recent & Historic Highlights
Luxembourgish riders have frequently used this race as a launchpad for professional careers:
- Niels Michotte (2022): Michotte is one of the most successful recent Luxembourgish juniors in this race, securing a notable victory in 2022. This win was a major milestone for Luxembourgish youth cycling, proving that the nation’s riders can master the harsh “Hell of the North” terrain.
- Bob Jungels: While famously known for winning the Paris-Roubaix Espoirs (U23) in 2012, Jungels’ development through the Luxembourgish junior ranks set the blueprint for local riders tackling the cobbles.
## 2026 Entry & Notable Names
For the 2026 race, the Luxembourg National Team is focused on development and aggressive racing. While the final six-man roster often sees tactical adjustments up to the morning of the race, the following riders have been the backbone of the Luxembourgish Junior National Team’s recent campaigns:
- David Loschetter: A strong all-rounder who has shown resilience in northern classics-style races.
- Fynn Ury: Known for his power on flatter, wind-exposed sections.
- Rick Meylender: Often cited as a versatile rider capable of surviving the selection processes of high-intensity 1.Ncup events.
## The “SaF Zéisseng” Influence
Many of Luxembourg’s top juniors come through the Schifflange (SaF Zéisseng) program, which is a key feeder for the national team. This club has a history of preparing riders for the technical demands of French and Belgian cobbles, ensuring that the riders starting in Compiègne for the Junior edition are well-drilled in “pavé” positioning.
## What to Watch For
Luxembourgish juniors typically excel in the mid-race “attrition” phase. Unlike the Belgian or French teams, which often try to blow the race apart on the early sectors, the Luxembourgish strategy often revolves around keeping their leader protected until Sector 11 (Mons-en-Pévèle) to ensure they are in the front group entering the final 30 km.
