Paris-Roubaix 2026, one day monument, April 12

[jono]

So I continue to not understand his point. RVV was clearly a duel between Pogacar and MVP. At least in PR, the difference for other riders is smaller.

He very much dislikes MVDP which colors his comments, but he has a point that P-R is not likely to be compelling as that race has typically been in the past.

 

[Boehmand]

You guys are way too confident in the big favourites

In no other race does luck play such a big role

It's what makes Roubaix so special

 

[ingsve]

Very excited to see Per Strand Hagenes tomorrow. In several races this season he has looked extremely strong specifically on pavé sections. Hopefully he can show something special in the race of races on pavé.

 

[canina82]

He very much dislikes MVDP which colors his comments, but he has a point that P-R is not likely to be compelling as that race has typically been in the past.

But I think the same can be said about RVV.

 

[Oldman]

Yesterday I rewatched some parts of last year's race:

- Philipsen really impressed me with his ability to draft perfectly on the cobbles (even though he exploded in the end). No other rider is that close to the back wheel of the rider in front of him

- Van Aert was weaker than I remembered, though his problem was not 100 % physical in the Arenberg Forest. But even afterwards he often lost the wheel on the cobbles and he was overall far less in the wind than I remembered.
If that was not just a bad day last year (he was around equal or even worse this year in Flanders compared to 2025), then I don't see how he can be competitive for the win

- MvdP was clearly the strongest rider in the race and his attacks after Arenberg were brutal. Later though he 'exploded' just a few k later than Pogacar (around 15 km from the finish) and subsequently rode at similar speed to Pogacar

- Pogacar went through a really rough patch for 20k after Arenberg, but recovered later. He exploded about 22 k to go in his chase of van der Poel. Then from 15k to go to the finish he was the same as MvdP again.


I would assess the overall level of the rider last year like that:

MvdP > Pogacar > Pedersen > van Aert / Vermeersch / Philipsen


Since Pedersen is in worse shape this year and van Aert is also not better, then in absence of bad luck it should just be between van der Poel and Pogacar (if they continue to just ride all-out without using any other tactics)

I'd actually move Philipsen to #3. He's a better sprinter than all of them and has shown good form this year. He and Mathieu play the field well together and that's a threat to everyone. It also makes pack control better when you get down to the final 30. Who else will have threatening teammates still in the mix?

 

[dobrien]

You East Coasters...I start watching at 1:30am...but I'll put the race on loud enough that I can hear through my half-sleeping attention. I always wake up fully aroung Haveluy-Wallers, tomorrow I'll get on my trainer to pedal and watch...Unbound ain't getting any shorter.

Hey, I'm Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Central Standard, so that's 3:30AM for me!! Totally worth it though, now off to bed with me!

 

[dobrien]

Which beers?

It changes every year, one of my buddies usually brings a nice surprise; Duvel, Leffe Blonde, usually Trappist Ale, we're not too particular, it's the idea that counts! I need a regular supplier of Jupiler just for this day so I can REALLY be legit!