Interview with Roubaix winner Franziska Koch: "You have to believe in your dreams!"

TOUR: Franziska, what hurts the day after your Paris-Roubaix triumph?

FRANZISKA KOCH: Not that much, actually. I don't have any blisters on my hands, which is very pleasant. I can feel my legs when I run up the stairs in the house. But it's no different pain than after another hard race. The aching forearms - that's what stands out compared to other races.

During the live broadcast, it looked like you weren't surprised by your role in the final - in a trio at the front with Marianne Vos, perhaps the best female cyclist in history, and Tour de France winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, both from the Visma-Lease a Bike team. Their riding style in the final looked like a clear plan - including the sprint on the cycle track in Roubaix. Correctly observed?

Yes, I was very aware of everything. I also had good communication with my sporting director in the car. We had already talked about different scenarios before the race and about what my strengths are, what I need to win a possible sprint in the velodrome. We then adjusted this to my competitors during the race. So I went in with a clear plan. But you never know what the others are doing and you have to keep an eye on them.

How do you beat the sprint-strong and extremely experienced Marianne Vos in a sprint?

I think in the end my strength was just a bit better than theirs. I took advantage of the track. I kept her up; that means her sprint was a bit longer than mine. In the end, you could see that I had a bit more energy in the last ten metres than she did.

How much experience in track cycling do you have?

I always did small races or German championships on the track until I was a junior. But my track career was nine years ago. But what you learn once, you don't lose, right?

How does it feel to be a "monster"? That's what Tour winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot called her in an initial reaction - because of her strength in the race.

(laughs) I would say I'm still dear Franzi and not a monster. But it's very nice to hear the recognition from the other female riders.

Hard labour on the road to success

What is definitely a monster is, of course, this race: Paris-Roubaix, the ride through the "Hell of the North" over 30 kilometres of rough cobbles over a race distance of 143 kilometres. How much fear is involved on the road to victory?

I think if you go into a race with fear, then it's not going to work. My mentality for this race is: maybe I'll win the race and maybe I'll break a few bones, but yes, the prize is worth it! It's a risk that we basically take in every race. You can't let that put you off.

You finished seventh in your Roubaix debut in 2021. How much did you believe that a big success could be possible here?

I believed in it! You have to be able to dream, right? The biggest dream was to win, of course. I always wanted to take a cobblestone home with me. You have to believe in your dreams. Otherwise it doesn't work. And you can't give up.

The following years were not so successful for you. What made you continue to believe?

I think my quality is to stay calm in chaotic moments. I'm good at moving around the field. And I still have the right power to be able to attack. That's why I kept believing in it. It's a very exciting race and the nice thing about this race is that it's really unpredictable.

You won the sixth edition of Paris-Roubaix in the women's race - it was the first to take place on the same day as the men's race. The women started after the men and rode the same route for the last few kilometres. What change did you experience as a result?

There were definitely a lot more spectators, especially in the cobblestone sectors towards the final. You could really tell that. There weren't many more spectators in the first sections. Of course, it's a bit of a shame that the TV broadcast was so short. So there are advantages and disadvantages. It would be nicer if you could see the whole race on television.

After the men's race, there was only the women's final to watch. You could say there were more spectators - but is it better for women's cycling if it doesn't take place on the same day?

Yes, definitely. I think having separate races on Saturday and Sunday is better for women's cycling. A person can only take in a certain amount of information in one day. And how can Paris-Roubaix be perceived and recognised simultaneously by the men, where so much happens, and by the women, where so much can also happen? I think if the races take place on two different days, then both will be appreciated a little more. And then I can also watch my boyfriend. Now I could only watch the start of the men's race. Then I had to go myself.

Shared joy, shared sorrow

Your friend Riley Pickrell, who rode for the Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team, was unable to finish the race. How do you share the joy of your victory and his sorrow?

Unfortunately, he was very, very unlucky. He had a crash, several defects. So, I would say he was unlucky for me. And he was very, very, very happy for me. I think we'll share that then.

Afterwards there was perhaps the longest embrace between the two of you that has ever been seen after a cycling victory...

So cute!

What happened after the victory? When was your day over?

I went to bed at 4.30am. After the race, I first drove to the German border with a team-mate and then my parents picked me up. I got home at midnight, lay awake in bed and watched my sprint again. I also got so many messages - it's unbelievable. I tried to answer as many as possible.

How and where did your parents, who were both cyclists themselves, experience your success?

At home in Mettmann in front of the television. They are very, very proud. My dad used to be my coach when I was growing up and he cheers a lot. Unfortunately, Roubaix is too far away from home. You usually like to go to the races. They were there at the Tour of Flanders and rode the course in seven places and watched.

Coronation of a strong spring

You crowned a very strong spring with your victory in Roubaix. What was the decisive factor for this leap in performance, the results? The switch from Team Picnic PostNL to FDJ-SUEZ?

The change of team is one of the main reasons. I have different team-mates, a different environment. I have a new coach. And this breath of fresh air is very good for me. New things - that scares some people. It gives me extra motivation, extra fire. And I've got so much confidence from my team that I can win this race! My D.S. (sporting director; editor's note) told me after the Tour of Flanders: You'll win next week! I looked at him and knew he meant it from the bottom of his heart - it really does something to you.

The team change brings a tailwind

What's different in the new team - apart from the new team jersey?

So I love the Specialized bike, which really is my favourite bike. The team thinks about a lot of little things. They really listen and if you have feedback, they do something with it. They try to adjust every screw correctly, so to speak.

What happens after the drudgery?

That's the beauty of cycling: the next race is just around the corner. My next race is already on Friday (17 April) at the Brabantse Pijl (Arrow of Brabant) and then the Amstel Gold Race. After that I'll ride the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) and then have a break. I don't want to party or take a break now - I've worked hard to get to the level I'm at now. Now it's game time - I want to race.

On 12 April 2026, you experienced that really big victories are possible for you. Has that changed your view of personal goals?

Yes, I definitely hope that this isn't the only Roubaix I win in my career. I definitely have other dreams: one day I want to win Flanders myself or a world championship title Things like that are definitely still on my list.