Paris-Roubaix can definitely end abruptly for a rider–but for Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), she didn’t even nmake the start.
The Italian champ will not start Paris-Roubaix Femmes, as ongoing health issues have forced her to sit out of the Hell of the North, according to WielerFlits. She has been dealing with illness since Milan-San Remo, and is reportedly struggling with breathing problems.
At the Tour of Flanders, she was eighth, but sounds like things are still rough for her.
Her absence leaves UAE Team ADQ short-handed, with just four riders set to start. The team had already lost Sofie van Rooijen after a training crash.
Meanwhile, there are lots of Canadians racing on Sunday. In the women’s race, national champ Alison Jackson will be there with St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93.
Human Powered Health’s fastwomanMaggie Coles-Lyster will return, along with EF Education-Oatly’s Alex Volstad. Jenaya Francis, of Mayenne Monbana My Pie will be riding her first Paris-Roubaix Roubaix. In the men’s, NSN Cycling’s Guillaume Boivin will be back.
Back in 2021, he took a fantastic 9th. Nickolas Zukowsky, from Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), who has been riding great this year, as well as Modern Adventure Cycling’s Riley Pickrell are racing Sunday. Modern Adventure Cycling is the brainchild of George and Rich Hincapie. George Hincapie rode Paris-Roubaix a whopping 17 times, and also almost won back in 2005. That ties the best finish by a North American male…with, you know, Steve Bauer’s ride in 1990. Back then, the legendary Canuck juuuust lost to Eddy Planckaert.
There are two other races going on, too. A junior and under-23 race. Although there are no Canadians in the under-19 race, LaSalle’s Justin Picoux (Team COPPI – BO.Buro) and Toronto’s Ashlin Barry (Visma-Lease a Bike) are duking it out in the espoir event. Check back with Canadian Cycling Magazine for reports and results when this amazing day of racing is over!