Paris - Roubaix 2026: Favourites
fotobureau Cor VosParis–Roubaix is really a race for tractors, yet there are cyclists who can somehow handle the impossible surface. And that’s what makes it one of the most captivating races on the calendar. Who are the main contenders?
Published on 9 April 2026
Although half the peloton dreams of it, only a few riders ever get to take home the famous cobblestone trophy. All the more remarkable, then, that the last three editions have been won by the same rider: Mathieu van der Poel.
With his three consecutive victories, the Dutchman followed in the footsteps of Francesco Moser, who achieved the same feat from 1978 to 1980, almost half a century ago. If he wins again this year, he will equal Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen, who both won Paris–Roubaix four times, albeit not consecutively.
To join the two Belgians, Van der Poel will have to deal with an exceptionally strong Tadej Pogacar, who seems to be better then ever this season. The Slovenian has ridden only three races so far, but won them all: Strade Bianche, Milan–San Remo and the Tour of Flanders. In the last two races he bested Van der Poel.
Paris–Roubaix, however, is a completely different beast. The course is as flat as it gets and bike-handling skills are indispensable. It’s not that the Slovenian can’t handle a bike, but Van der Poel is simply one of the best at it. Last year they were up the road together when Pogacar lost control of his bike on a cobbled sector with 38 kilometres to go. He recovered quickly, but not quickly enough, as Van der Poel had already gone on to complete his hat-trick with a lead of more than a minute.
For Pogacar, Paris–Roubaix is the hardest Monument to win because there are no climbs he can use to drop his rivals. And in a sprint, Van der Poel is faster nine times out of ten.
Of course, there are more contenders. Wout van Aert and Filippo Ganna both showed in Dwars door Vlaanderen that they are in superb form. Sure, Van Aert struggled on the Oude Kwaremont in the Tour of Flanders last weekend, but as mentioned, there are no climbs in the Hell of the North. Ganna even skipped the Tour of Flanders entirely to focus fully on Paris–Roubaix.
As said, bike-handling skills are essential in the Hell of the North and you need the power to fly low over the cobbles. But let’s not forget that luck is also a crucial factor – or perhaps it’s better to call it the absence of bad luck. Anyone spared misfortune already has a big advantage over many of his rivals.
In this season’s classics, victories have gone to Van der Poel (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3), Brennan (Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne), Pogacar (Strade Bianche, Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders), Philipsen (Nokere Koerse, In Flanders Fields) and Ganna (Dwars door Vlaanderen).
Weather forecast:
Unlike what the photo above suggests (from the 2021 edition), the weather on Sunday doesn’t look too bad. It is expected to stay dry, even a little sunny, with a south-westerly breeze of around force 3.
Favourites 2026 Paris-Roubaix
***** Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar
**** Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, Filippo Ganna
*** Jasper Stuyven, Jasper Philipsen, Florian Vermeersch
** Tim van Dijke, Dylan van Baarle, Daan Hoole, Christophe Laporte
* Joshua Tarling, Kaden Groves, Gianni Vermeersch, Alec Segaert, Nils Politt
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