France 12 Apr 2026 Class 1.UWT – 1 day – UCI WorldTour
Website www.letour.fr
Email tgouvenou@aso.fr
Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France One Day Race
The 2026 Paris-Roubaix (1.UWT) featured a competitive field led by the major stars of the Classics. The race took place on April 12, 2026, and concluded with Wout van Aert taking his first title in the Roubaix Velodrome.
Below are the key teams and riders from the startlist, categorized by the top-performing squads:
Major Teams & Key Riders
| Team | Key Starters |
| Alpecin-Premier Tech | Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Tibor Del Grosso, Florian Sénéchal |
| UAE Team Emirates XRG | Tadej Pogačar, Nils Politt, Mikkel Bjerg, Florian Vermeersch |
| Team Visma | Lease a Bike | Wout van Aert, Christophe Laporte, Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagenes |
| Lidl-Trek | Mads Pedersen, Jonathan Milan, Mathias Vacek, Max Walscheid |
| Soudal Quick-Step | Dylan van Baarle, Yves Lampaert, Tim Merlier, Jasper Stuyven |
| INEOS Grenadiers | Filippo Ganna, Joshua Tarling, Ben Turner, Connor Swift |
| Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | Gianni Vermeersch, Laurence Pithie, Jordi Meeus, Mick van Dijke |
Notable Entries & Wildcards
The 2026 edition also included several prominent UCI ProTeams:
- Lotto-Intermarché: Led by Arnaud De Lie and Jonas Rutsch.
- Uno-X Mobility: Featuring Jonas Abrahamsen and Søren Wærenskjold.
- NSN Cycling Team: Headlined by Biniam Girmay and Lewis Askey.
- Cofidis: Including Dylan Teuns and Alexis Renard.
- TotalEnergies: Led by Anthony Turgis.
Final Podium (Results)
While you requested the startlist, it is worth noting the eventual outcome of these starters:
- Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) — Winner
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) — +0″
- Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) — +13″
The 123rd edition of Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026. This year is historic as both the men’s and women’s elite races will take place on the same day, with the women’s race given the “prime time” late afternoon finish slot.
## Men’s Race Program & Route
- Start: 10:05 CEST in Compiègne.
- Finish: Expected around 15:45 CEST at the Roubaix Velodrome.
- Distance: 258.3 km.
- Cobbles (Pavé): 30 sectors totaling 54.8 km.
- Key Change: The early route has been modified to increase intensity. The first four sectors now follow in rapid succession with almost no asphalt between them. Additionally, a new 800-meter climb at Briastre (Sector 26) has been added to the early phases.
Crucial Five-Star Sectors:
- Trouée d’Arenberg (km 163) – 2.3 km
- Mons-en-Pévèle (km 209.7) – 3.0 km
- Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 241.2) – 2.1 km
## Women’s Race (Paris-Roubaix Femmes)
- Start: 13:45 CEST in Denain.
- Finish: Expected around 17:15 CEST at the Roubaix Velodrome.
- Distance: 143.1 km.
- Cobbles (Pavé): 20 sectors totaling 33.7 km.
- Key Change: The loops around Denain have been removed to head further south. This edition introduces the difficult four-star Haveluy sector (km 52.4) to the women’s course.
## 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 |
Note: If you are watching on TV, the races will be broadcast on Eurosport/Discovery+ (Europe), Peacock/NBC (USA), and SBS (Australia).
The 123rd edition of Paris-Roubaix, held on April 12, 2026, was the fastest in the race’s history, with an average speed of 48.91 km/h. Wout van Aert claimed his first “Queen of the Classics” title by out-sprinting Tadej Pogačar in the iconic Roubaix Velodrome.
Paris-Roubaix 2026 Results (Top 15)
| # | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
| 1 | Wout van Aert (BEL) | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 5h 16′ 52″ |
| 2 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates XRG | + 0″ |
| 3 | Jasper Stuyven (BEL) | Soudal Quick-Step | + 13″ |
| 4 | Mathieu van der Poel (NED) | Alpecin-Premier Tech | + 15″ |
| 5 | Christophe Laporte (FRA) | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | + 15″ |
| 6 | Mick van Dijke (NED) | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | + 15″ |
| 7 | Mads Pedersen (DEN) | Lidl-Trek | + 15″ |
| 8 | Stefan Bissegger (SUI) | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | + 20″ |
| 9 | Nils Politt (GER) | UAE Team Emirates XRG | + 2′ 36″ |
| 10 | Mike Teunissen (NED) | XDS Astana Team | + 2′ 36″ |
| 11 | Max Walscheid (GER) | Lidl-Trek | + 3′ 46″ |
| 12 | Gianni Vermeersch (BEL) | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | + 3′ 46″ |
| 13 | Lewis Askey (GBR) | NSN Cycling Team | + 3′ 46″ |
| 14 | Anthony Turgis (FRA) | Team TotalEnergies | + 3′ 46″ |
| 15 | Daan Hoole (NED) | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | + 3′ 46″ |
Race Highlights
- Wout van Aert’s Redemption: After years of punctures and tactical misfortune, Van Aert finally secured the cobblestone Monument, dedicating the win to his former teammate Michael Goolaerts.
- Pogačar’s Debut Brilliance: In just his first serious assault on the “Hell of the North,” Tadej Pogačar proved his versatility by matching the specialists until the final meters.
- Defending Champion’s Luck: Mathieu van der Poel’s quest for a fourth title was derailed by multiple punctures, most notably in the Trouée d’Arenberg sector, though he recovered remarkably to finish 4th.
Wout van Aert vs Tadej Pogacar: Paris-Roubaix 2026 Analysis
The Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France (UCI 1.UWT) is the men’s edition of the legendary race. Known as the “Queen of the Classics” and the “Hell of the North,” it is arguably the most famous one-day cycling race in the world.
Established in 1896, it is one of the five “Monuments” of cycling and is defined by its brutal, ancient cobblestone sectors (pavé) in Northern France.
Key Historical Milestones
- 1896: Founded by textile manufacturers Théodore Vienne and Maurice Perez to promote their new velodrome in Roubaix. The first winner was German rider Josef Fischer.
- The “Hell of the North” Moniker: This name was coined after World War I (1919) not because of the race’s difficulty, but because the route passed through the devastated, charred landscapes and ruins of post-war Northern France.
- The Move to Compiègne (1977): For decades, the race started in Paris. To preserve the cobblestones (which were being paved over with modern asphalt), the start moved 80km northeast to Compiègne to better access the surviving rural farm tracks.
- The Cobblestone Trophy (1977): Since this year, winners have been awarded an actual cobblestone (a sett) as their trophy, cementing the race’s identity.
The Brutal Terrain
The race is famous for its 5-star (highest difficulty) sectors:
- Trouée d’Arenberg (Arenberg Trench): A straight, narrow path through the forest where the race is often won or lost.
- Mons-en-Pévèle: 3km of winding, uneven stones.
- Carrefour de l’Arbre: The final major hurdle just 17km from the finish.
Record Holders
Two legends share the record for the most victories (4 wins each):
- 🇧🇪 Roger De Vlaeminck (“The Gypsy”): Won in 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1977.
- 🇧🇪 Tom Boonen (“Tornado Tom”): Won in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012.
Recent “Era of Dominance”
In the 2020s, the race has been dominated by a rivalry between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. Van der Poel’s 2024 victory was historic for its sheer speed and a 60km solo attack, while the 2025 edition saw him further cement his legacy with a third consecutive podium appearance.
The 2026 Edition: Current Context
The 2026 race takes place this Sunday, April 12.
- Distance: 258.3 km.
- Cobbles: 54.8 km across 30 sectors.
- New Name: As of 2026, the race has officially adopted Hauts-de-France into its title following a significant regional sponsorship deal.
- Historic Schedule: For the first time, four races (Junior, U23, Women, and Men) will finish at the Roubaix Velodrome on the same day, creating an unprecedented “Super Sunday” of cycling.
Historical Significance
Luxembourg has a storied connection to the “Hell of the North.” The most legendary result remains:
- François Faber (1913): The only Luxembourgish rider to win the men’s Paris-Roubaix.
- Other notable finishes: In the modern era, riders like Benoît Joachim and Jempy Drucker have frequently featured in the top 20, but a podium finish has eluded the nation since the early 20th century.
Luxembourg’s connection to the “Hell of the North” (Paris–Roubaix) is anchored by one of the most physically imposing figures in cycling history: François Faber.
The most legendary result remains his dominant victory in 1913. Known as the “Giant of Colombes” due to his massive 91kg frame, Faber became the first (and currently only) Luxembourger to win the race. His victory is often cited for his sheer resilience; he navigated the 266 km course in 7 hours and 30 minutes, beating out Charles Deruyter and Charles Crupelandt in a sprint finish at the velodrome.
Why It Is Legendary
- The Physical Feat: At 1.86m tall, Faber was significantly larger than his peers. His strength allowed him to power through the rutted, unpaved roads and early “pavé” that would later define the race’s hellish reputation.
- The Tragic Hero: Faber’s 1913 win was the penultimate edition before World War I. He was killed in action in 1915 while fighting for the French Foreign Legion.
- A “Hellish” Connection: The term “Hell of the North” was actually coined in 1919 by journalists describing the post-war devastation of the exact route Faber had conquered just six years earlier.
While other Luxembourgish legends like Nicolas Frantz (who finished 4th in 1924 and 5th in 1930) and Charly Gaul made their marks on the Tour de France, Faber remains the standard-bearer for Luxembourg on the cobblestones of Roubaix.
