Felix Schröder, dpa
Two-time world champion, European champion, four-time Tour de France winner: cycling star Tadej Pogacar has won just about everything in his career. Only a few victories in the big races and tours are missing. Among them, however, is the Queen of the Classics, which is still missing from the currently probably best pro's rich trophy collection.
"It's no secret that Paris-Roubaix is one of the big goals for this part of the season. The few races I've ridden so far have gone perfectly, so the motivation is great, but the pressure is low," said Pogacar ahead of his second participation in the classic.
Of the five most important cycling classics - the so-called monuments - the 27-year-old has won four of them several times. But he is still missing the "Hell of the North". His form could hardly be better, only last Sunday he won the Tour of Flanders. In any case, the exceptional Slovenian rider has won every race he has competed in since his World Championship triumph last September.
What makes the race so challenging?
Paris-Roubaix is one of the most demanding challenges in cycling, even without the mountains. After all, 54.8 kilometres of the 258.3 kilometres are spread over 30 sectors over the hard cobblestones of northern France. The medieval country lanes are sometimes muddy and dirty - an explosive mixture, especially in the rain. The pictures of maltreated and dust-covered professional cyclists are famous.
North of the French capital Paris, the race winds its way from Compiègne towards Roubaix near the city of Lille and ends in the historic Vélodrome, an old cycle racing arena on concrete.
"In 2021, I took part in the wet race when it was raining cats and dogs. That was completely disruptive because you really had no control at all," says former Roubaix winner John Degenkolb to the German Press Agency. Two Germans have won the one-day race to date. Josef Fischer in 1896 and Degenkolb in 2015.
Why are the cobblestones so treacherous?
"The vibrations that the body has to withstand there are really strong," said Degenkolb and spoke of an "absolute endurance test for man and machine". The pros try to defy the ordeal with wider tyres, less air pressure and a different handlebar setting.
To make matters worse for the native of Thuringia, he was thrown back in 2025 by a serious fall in which he sustained fractures in his wrist, forearm, elbow and collarbone, some of which had to be fixed with screws and plates. "The tests we did beforehand all worked well. But I realised that my wrist had been pushed to the limit and that I was still in pain for several days afterwards."
Professionals with good technical control in particular have clear advantages on the cobblestones. Last year's Dutch winner Mathieu van der Poel, who has already been successful three times in Roubaix, is once again the top favourite to win.
What's the deal with the showers in Roubaix?
The showers at the Vélodrome in Roubaix have legendary status. Built in the 1940s, the spartan sanitary facilities are always the source of breathtaking photos when the professional cyclists clean themselves of mud and dust after a hard day. A brass plaque is dedicated to each winner. "Just seeing your own name next to all these big names is really something special," enthuses Degenkolb, who is still able to unerringly find his own sign eleven years after his triumph.
Which German professionals are taking part?
Degenkolb will be taking part in the race for the 13th time. The German Nils Politt will support Pogacar as he did last time at the Tour of Flanders, which the exceptional rider won for the third time last weekend. Last year's Tour de France debutants Niklas Märkl and Marius Mayrhofer will also be at the start. German high-flyer Florian Lipowitz, who finished third overall in the Tour of France last year, will not be taking part.
Favourites?
Pogacar and van der Poel are likely to decide the victory between themselves. In his first participation last year, Pogacar finished second behind van der Poel, partly due to a slip-up. However, due to the many possible scenarios on the cobbles with crashes and defects, anything can happen.
"You have to catch the perfect day, you have to be lucky, you have to have the perfect legs, the material has to hold up, you have to be in the right place at the right moment and that's what makes it so exciting," says Degenkolb.
Where can the race be seen?
In Germany, the race will be broadcast live on TV on Ersten (from 2.05 p.m./livestream starts earlier from 12.05 p.m.) and on Eurosport (from 10.30 a.m.). Paris-Roubaix will also be streamed on HBO Max from the start. The sixth edition of the women's race will take place on the same day for the first time and will be streamed.
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