Paris-Roubaix 2026: A complete guide to the race and what it takes to build the perfect bike

Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes – arguably the most popular and prestigious one-day races in cycling return in April for a day of cobble-crunching racing and excitement along the historic pavé of Northern France.

Following the Tour of Flanders, the 2026 Spring Classics move to France for Paris-Roubaix Femmes and Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, April 12. Also referred to as the ‘Hell of the North’ and recently renamed Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France for the men and Paris-Roubaix Femmes Hauts-de-France for the women, the races mark the end of the cobbled Classics for another year. 

Anticipate star-studded line-ups for both races as we preview the courses and the key storylines, show you how to follow the action, and explore what it takes to create the perfect Canyon bike for such a demanding and unique race.

Paris-Roubaix is the third Monument in the Classics calendar, following Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders. Like Flanders, which takes place a week before, the French race has become woven into the very fabric of the sport.

Also known as The Hell of the North, L'Enfer du Nord, Queen of the Classics and A Sunday in Hell, Paris-Roubaix epitomises everything unique about bike racing. The brutal cobbles and pavé that define the race, the weather conditions that can range from sunshine to rain and mud baths, and the full-on commitment from the heroic riders come together to create astonishing moments. Everyone can remember their first Paris-Roubaix, whether from the perspective of an exhausted rider entering the Roubaix velodrome gates for the first time, the cycling fan glued to their screen, or shouting encouragement from the roadside.

No race on earth comes close to Paris-Roubaix.

Founded in 1896 and firmly established as one of the oldest races in professional cycling, Paris-Roubaix has become the sport’s most famous one-day race. Heading into its 123rd edition on the men’s side and sixth on the women’s, the list of previous winners on each side of the sport is littered with legends and incredible feats of strength and bravery that have created some of the most amazing moments in cycling history.

Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen have the record for the most wins on the men’s side with four apiece, while Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin - Premier Tech) continues to build on his legacy with three titles already in the bank, having won the race three years straight between 2023 and 2025. He is once again the favourite for this year’s race and will be backed by a team that includes former runner-up Jasper Philipsen.

No rider has won the women’s race more than once, and 2026 is again expected to be a wide-open affair, reflecting the growing depth and competitiveness of the peloton. In 2025, Canyon riders such as Zoe Bäckstedt were among those taking on the challenge, highlighting both the rising level of the race and the increasing strength of the field.

In total, 13 start towns have been used in the men’s race over the years, with Compiègne holding that honour since 1977. The Roubaix velodrome has served as the iconic finish during two periods – between 1943 and 1985, and from 1989 to the present.

Since its inception, Belgium has dominated the race, with 57 wins to France’s 28. No French rider has won the men’s race since Frédéric Guesdon in 1997.

The women’s race was established in 2021 and has quickly become one of the most celebrated events on the Women’s WorldTour calendar.

The men’s and women’s editions of Paris-Roubaix used to be held over an entire weekend, with the women’s race on the Saturday following the Tour of Flanders and the men’s race 24 hours later on the Sunday. However, this year, both races take place on Sunday, April 12.

Amaury Sport Organisation presented the men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix race routes in February. The French organisers, who also put on the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, have created a 258.3 km route for the men, while the women’s peloton will tackle 143.1 km, just a handful less than last year’s 148.5km.

Compiègne once more plays host to the start of Paris-Roubaix in 2026, with the men’s peloton racing a gruelling 258.3 km that includes a whopping 30 sectors of cobbles.

There have been tweaks to this year’s race with organisers, ASO, posting several key sectors of cobbles in the early kilometres in a bid to break up the race earlier than usual and make for a more exciting spectacle for the fans. Previously, the first cobbled sectors typically appeared after roughly 100 km of racing.

Of course, the iconic Forest of Arenberg remains pivotal within the route, and this is where the race will likely explode in a flurry of action. Bad luck or poor positioning can end even the strongest rider’s chances, so the fight for the front places will be intense as the peloton hurtles into the sector.

From that point, there are still several major cobblestone sectors to race, with Mons-en-Pévèle, Camphin-en-Pévèle, and the always-important Carrefour de l'Arbre before three typically less influential sectors and the famous finish at the Roubaix velodrome where this year’s winner of Paris-Roubaix will be crowned.

The women’s race has been given an overhaul, and on paper, it should be the hardest edition yet, with 20 sectors of cobbles.

Unlike the men’s race, the women’s edition starts in Denain and the cobbles come thick and fast, with sectors in Haussy and Saulzoir, while the organisers have removed the early loops around Denain.

A critical sector at Haveluy à Wallers has been added, and while there’s no Arenberg for the women’s race, there are still plenty of other challenges along the route, with sectors at Hornaing and Tilloy standing out. Mons-en-Pévèle, arguably the hardest part of the course, has the capacity to blow the race to pieces, and the Carrefour de l'Arbre also features on the 143.1 km route.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin squad) comes into the men’s race as the winner of the last three editions, and in 2025 he dropped world champion Tadej Pogačar on the way to victory. This time around, the duo are expected to clash again, with Van der Poel looking to make history as just the third rider to win four editions of the race.

Even if van der Poel falters, his Alpecin team has a ready-made option in Jasper Philipsen, who finished second in 2023 and 2024. The Belgian’s fast finish makes him another pre-race contender.

In contrast, the women’s race is expected to be a wide-open affair, with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, Movistar, and Fenix-Premier Tech all set to field highly competitive teams. While the start list has yet to be confirmed, Canyon riders such as Zoe Bäckstedt are likely to feature.

Movistar have yet to announce their team, but with such squad depth, they should be in the mix for a top ten or even a podium. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) could also be one to watch if she lines up.

There is no other race on the planet as demanding or as tough on both rider and machine as Paris-Roubaix. With its bone-shattering cobbles, it’s a unique race that riders and mechanics fear in equal measure, but it is a race that Canyon has tamed over the last three years, with Mathieu van der Poel winning three straight editions, most recently aboard the Canyon Aeroad CFR.

However, bike evolution never stands still; it never sleeps. Year after year, new refinements and designs are made in the quest to create the perfect bike for Paris-Roubaix, with the Endurace CFR continuing to evolve alongside the demands of the race.

Designed with speed in mind and refined through feedback from riders like Van der Poel, the Endurace CFR is built to handle the unique challenges of the cobbles – balancing efficiency, control, and comfort when it matters most.

With clearance for wider tyres and a design that smooths out the harshness of the pavé without sacrificing responsiveness, it reflects the constant push to find the right setup for Roubaix.

Because at Paris-Roubaix, success doesn’t come down to one single factor – it’s the result of countless small details, shaped by the race itself and the riders who know it best.

In 2026, the men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix will be shown on several international channels and streaming services, including TNT Sports (UK), SBS on Demand (Australia), FloBikes (Canada) and Peacock (USA).

You can also follow Canyon's social media channels for news on all our riders during the Spring Classics.

So, stand with the fans, embrace the chaos, and cheer on Canyon’s riders as they take on cycling’s toughest test.