The Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France race never follows a set script, and this 123rd edition proved it once again. On paper, everything seemed to point to a royal showdown between Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), the three-time defending champion, and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG), seeking his first victory in the only Monument still missing from his palmarès. Yet, once again, the race defied all predictions.
Van der Poel trapped in the Arenberg Trench
The Dutchman saw his ambitions crumble after two punctures on the treacherous cobbled section of the Trouée d'Arenberg (km 163). Emerging from this crucial passage, MVDP was two minutes behind the leaders. He then launched a spectacular comeback, but despite his best efforts, he was never able to close the gap.
Pogacar facing the last line of defense: Wout van Aert
But for Pogacar, the race was far from over. He still had to overcome a major rival: Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), considered before the start to be the third major favorite. Initially in a leading group reduced to eight riders, the two men broke away together on the cobbled sector between Auchy-lez-Orchies and Bersée, 54 kilometers from the finish.
The Carrefour de l'Arbre makes no difference
Tenacious, Van Aert held firm against repeated attacks from Pogacar on the cobblestones of the Carrefour de l'Arbre, the very spot where the Slovenian hoped to turn the race on its head. Unable to distance his rival in this key sector, Pogacar was forced to take his chances in the final sprint on the André-Pétrieux velodrome.
The velodrome finally crowns Van Aert
Sharper in this exercise, the Belgian ultimately dominated his opponent. At 31, having already tasted the podium in the Hell of the North with a 2nd place in 2022 and a 3rd place in 2023, not to mention several unfortunate episodes, Wout van Aert has finally fulfilled his destiny. He thus becomes the first rider to beat Pogacar in 2026.
Stuyven completes the podium
Behind this striking duel, Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) took third place, after surprising the chasing group just before entering the velodrome. He thus completes the podium of an edition of the Queen of the Classics already etched in memory.
