It’s almost here! The sixth edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes once again starts in Denain before heading north towards the brutal pavé of northern France. There’s no easy early riding to start the race either–positioning is already critical before the first rough sectors.
From Wallers-Haveluy onwards, the race begins to bite.
The early cobbled sectors set the tone before Hornaing–Wandignies-Hamage and the familiar rhythm of asphalt and stones that defines the day.
Anyone who plans on being in the finale has to make sure to stay alert across every transition. Just like the men’s, it’s not about having good luck, but rather, reducing your bad luck. Crashes and punctures often decide more than legs. It’s not even about avoiding hitting the deck or flats–it’s having fewer than others.
Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre remain the key five-star sectors. This where the strongest can force selections. But the race is rarely decided in one place. The biggest one-day of the year means that all the big names are there, too.
Lorena Wiebes, Elise Chabbey, Cat Ferguson, Elisa Balsamo, Lotte Kopecky, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Marianne Vos, Lara Gillespie, and Zoe Bäckstedt will all be going for the dub–just to name a few.
Then there’s the Canadian contingent.
Canadian national champ, and 2023 Paris-Roubaix winner Alison Jackson will be there with her new French team St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93, as will Human Powered Health’s Maggie Coles-Lyster and EF Education-Oatly’s Alex Volstad. Jenaya Francis, of Mayenne Monbana My Pie will be riding her first Hell of the North.
You can catch the women’s race on FloBikes.com at 10:55 a.m. And if you’re out riding, don’t fret, Canadian Cycling Magazine will have a report and results from the men’s, the women’s and the under-23 and junior races–where there are also Canadians there.