Question Who will win Paris Roubaix 2026?

[Krzysztof_O]

Will Pogi complete non calendar monuments slam?
Will Van der Poel win record equalling 4th edition?
Will Van Aert, Pedersen or another rider win his first cobbled monument?

Let the world's greatest cycling experts have their say.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Voted van der Poel, hoping for van Aert!

Pog needs to wait for his victory and not be cycling's black hole just yet.

 

[jotafap]

Probably the only realistic possibility I’ll ever see of a rider winning all five Monuments (in the same year), and I’m here for it.
He is not the top favourite, but besides MVDP, i am confident he has the capability to drop everyone at some point.

Even people who don’t like Pogi should want him to win, as that would make it even more likely that he retires in the next 2–3 years.

 

[Extinction]

So much can happen, go wrong at Roubaix that it's the hardest race to predict the outcome. Pogi could do a one-time Hinault or could finish outside the top ten. But on results and experience MvdP is still the guy to beat.

 

[Red Rick]

Even people who don’t like Pogi should want him to win,

If everyone wants Pogacar to win then it means that I am dead

 

[Netserk]

Even people who don’t like Pogi should want him to win, as that would make it even more likely that he retires in the next 2–3 years.

one could always hope for other scenarios that see him retire earlier than that

 

[Potomac]

Pog is on a roll and will win all the monuments this year.
Especially the one-day monuments.


And I like that the poll thread and race day thread are not the same.

 

[dazaau]

Anything can happen but mvdp is in amazing form and was really strong at RVV. With no climbs it's extremely hard to see how he drops mvdp without misfortune.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

If everyone wants Pogacar to win then it means that I am dead

Too Red Rick, dont do anything stupid if Teddy somehow wins PR. Top experts are needed on this forum.

 

[MJR]

Voted van der Poel, hoping for van Aert!

Pog needs to wait for his victory and not be cycling's black hole just yet.

100% this.

 

[BigCoward]

WVA with my heart, MVDP with my head, or pog because someone having all 5 and WC at same time would he truly historic, and not something I thought was remotely possible in my lifetime. So happy with any if most likely scenarios.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Some great storylines waiting to be unfolded here: VDP winning a historical 4th in a row? Pogacar on his way to winning all five monuments in the same season? Van Aert finally getting that coveted cobblestone? Same for Pedersen - and add his injury to that.

I think that Pogacar takes it. How looked quite a bit stronger than Van der Poel in Flanders - on the flat parts as well (although Mathieu could have been sandbagging).

 

[Red Rick]

So little hope of a good outcome.

 

[Oldman]

It won't be a rider using the expensive kinetic inflating tires. JV was forced to change due to UCI ban of the product which is correct based on sheer price and availability to few, IMO. They search for motors and this gave an unequal advantage to richer teams. I can imagine every rich Master gravel rider will run out and buy a set now.

 

[Hugh Januss]

It won't be a rider using the expensive kinetic inflating tires. JV was forced to change due to UCI ban of the product which is correct based on sheer price and availability to few, IMO. They search for motors and this gave an unequal advantage to richer teams. I can imagine every rich Master gravel rider will run out and buy a set now.

No better performance certification than being banned by UCI!

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

It won't be a rider using the expensive kinetic inflating tires. JV was forced to change due to UCI ban of the product which is correct based on sheer price and availability to few, IMO. They search for motors and this gave an unequal advantage to richer teams. I can imagine every rich Master gravel rider will run out and buy a set now.

Gravaa possibly got more publicity from the not being allowed that if they had been used in victory. Being hideously expensive, even so expensive that it can have no commercial future, has not, IIRC, been an issue in the past, especially if the track racing rule is in the same terms. This seems to be banning it because it might soon become unavailable, which is odd, at best.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It won't be a rider using the expensive kinetic inflating tires. JV was forced to change due to UCI ban of the product which is correct based on sheer price and availability to few, IMO. They search for motors and this gave an unequal advantage to richer teams. I can imagine every rich Master gravel rider will run out and buy a set now.

The company behind the technolofy went bancrupt in January: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/grava...-low-sales-of-its-on-board-tire-inflator.html
So UCI's ban had probably nothing to do with cost, but rather availability.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Some great storylines waiting to be unfolded here: VDP winning a historical 4th in a row? Pogacar on his way to winning all five monuments in the same season? Van Aert finally getting that coveted cobblestone? Same for Pedersen - and add his injury to that.

I think that Pogacar takes it. How looked quite a bit stronger than Van der Poel in Flanders - on the flat parts as well (although Mathieu could have been sandbagging).

To me Van der Poel level looked good enough vs Pogacar on cobbled bergs to think he shouldnt be dropped on flat cobbles (which makes him #1 favourite due to his sprint). He lost more time only when he was dropped (he was more tired after repeated uphill efforts).