“The question is not: who can win Paris-Roubaix this year but who can prevent Mathieu Van der Poel from winning?” Cédric Vasseur, the manager of the northern team Cofidis, perfectly sums up what is at stake in this hell of the North 2024. France Bleu Nord draws up the list of favorites.
Mathieu Van der Poel: 9/10
Mathieu Vand der Poel, at the finish of Paris-Roubaix 2023 © Radio France – Timothée Couteau
Only four races since the start of the road season for the world champion and a more than flattering record: Two victories (Tour of Flanders and E3 Grand Prix), a second place (Ghent-Wevelgem) and a 10th place at Milan-San Remo after his sacrifice to give victory to his teammate Jasper Philipsen. If we add an edition of Paris-Roubaix which promises to be tricky after the heavy rains of the week with cobblestones which could still be very muddy in places this Sunday, the six-time cyclo-cross world champion should be at ease. Objective: raise your arms at the velodrome with the world champion jersey as Peter Sagan (2018) and Bernard Hinaut (1981) did before him.
Mads Pedersen : 7/10
The Dane, former world champion, won Ghent-Wevelgem and hosted the Tour of Flanders last Sunday before breaking down. A drop in form which can be explained by a heavy fall in Across Flanders, 4 days earlier. Will he have regained all his abilities by Sunday?
Mads Pedersen, during the E3 Saxo Classic 2023 © Radio France – Stéphane Barbereau
Nils Politt: 6/10
The German has already finished on the podium at Paris-Roubaix, in second place in 2019, behind Philippe Gilbert. He has been one of the most consistent riders since the start of the season in Flandrian races (3rd in the Tour of Flanders, 7th in the E3 Grand Prix and 2nd in the Het Nieuwsblad).
Alberto Bettiol : 5,5/10
Winner of the Tour of Flanders, the Italian rider (EF Education) is having his best start to the season since this coronation in Belgium. He won the Milan-Turin classic this season.
Stefan Küng, Laurenz Rex, Oliver Naesen, Ivan Garcia Cortina, Luca Mozzato: 5/10
The Swiss rider (Groupama-FDJ) is a great host of the Flandrian classic again this season. We have often seen him at the forefront despite a lack of chances with a few falls like during the Denain Grand Prix.
Stefan Kung, after the arrival of Paris-Roubaix 2023 © Radio France – Timothée Couteau
Belgium will be able to count on a regular on the cobbles like Oliver Naesen (Decathlon-AG2R) and the young runner Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty) who will be supported by Adrien Petit from Arrage.
He found himself trapped by the slippery cobbles of the Koppenberg on Sunday during the Tour of Flanders when he was alone in the lead, the Spanish rider Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) should be at the front this Sunday. Finally, Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) was a surprising runner-up to Mathieu Van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders. He is collecting places of honor in the Belgian classics this season after winning the Bredene-Coxide Classic.
Runners to watch: Morgado, Pithie, Sheehan
They are the young generation that is growing and that we will therefore have to watch this Sunday: the Portuguese Antonio Morgado, 20 years old, from the UAE team will participate in his first Hell of the North. He finished 5th in the Tour of Flanders. The New Zealander Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ), 21, showed himself a lot during Ghent-Wevelgem. Will the cobblestones of the North be favorable to him? He will be a luxury teammate for Stefan Küng. Finally, the American Ryley Sheehan (Israel Premier Tech), 23, will compete in his first Paris-Roubaix. He won Paris-Tours last year and is showing himself regularly on the Belgian classics this season.
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And the French?
It’s difficult to see a Frenchman raise his arms on Sunday at the Roubaix velodrome even if the race can reveal its share of surprises. But none are among the favorites or potential outsiders. Christophe Laporte has the stature but the European champion has not raced for 3 weeks due to a stomach flu, he will only just return to competition and will undoubtedly be out of form.
Anthony Turgis, during the E3 Saxo Classic 2023 © Radio France – Stéphane Barbereau
Anthony Turgis loves Flandrian classicsis an acrobat on the bike, but is not having the best start to the season of his career so far.
Northern cyclist Florian Sénéchal resumed training on a home trainer in his home in Belgium, after his fall at Het Nieuwsblad, on February 24, 2024. © Radio France – Stephane Barbereau
Finally, Florian Sénéchal has cobblestones in his blood, but is recovering from a broken collarbone which seriously disrupted his program. But the Northerner knows each sector by heart, a definite advantage in the event of a tricky edition with still mud in places.