Paris–Roubaix Femmes

Paris–Roubaix Femmes is a one day women's bicycle race on cobbled roads (or pavé) in northern France, held annually in early April. It is part of the UCI Women's World Tour. The equivalent men's race is a cycling monument, and after the Milan–San Remo Women, Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the fourth to stage a women's edition. The race is held on a Saturday, with the men's race held the day after.

History

Paris–Roubaix is one of cycling's oldest races, and was first held in 1896. Paris–Roubaix is famous for rough terrain, mud and cobblestones, or pavé (setts)Paris–Roubaix is popularly known throughout the English-speaking world for its 'cobbled sectors', but this is a misnomer as the sectors are actually paved with granite setts, roughly hewn blocks, which are smoother and safer than true cobblestones (prominent rounded pebbles often used on inner city streets). This article maintains the misnomer 'Cobblestones' but attempts to clarify the misnomer where relevant. – the race has been nicknamed ''l'enfer du Nord'', or ''Hell of the North''. Punctures and other mechanical problems are common and often influence the result.

In the early 2000s, French cyclist Marion Clignet recalled asking if the organisers of Paris–Roubaix would organise a women's edition of the race, with Jean-Marie Leblanc (who worked for the organisers) replying that they would not. In the late 2010s, the women's peloton pushed again for the race, with Iris Slappendel stating that "we would love to have a Paris–Roubaix". In 2018, Union Cycliste Internationale president David Lappartient pushed for the race, stating "I dream of a Paris–Roubaix Feminine" in an interview with ''L'Équipe''.

The announcement of the inaugural women's edition of Paris–Roubaix came as a surprise addition to the revised 2020 UCI Women's World Tour calendar. Riders noted their anticipation for the event, with Audrey Cordon-Ragot calling Paris–Roubaix "the race that every classics rider wants to win in her life". UCI president Lappartient welcomed the announcement, stating "we believe that Paris–Roubaix is one of the greatest classics in the world, and for me, there is no reason not to have a Paris–Roubaix or women. The race was scheduled for 25 October 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first edition of Paris–Roubaix Femmes took place in October 2021, with Lizzie Deignan winning following an 80 kilometres solo attack described by commentators as one of the greatest Roubaix rides of all time. Following the race, ''Eurosport'' described it as an "instant classic".

Prior to the 2022 race, organisers announced that the race would be sponsored by Zwift for the next 4 years, and that the prize money for the winner would be substantially increased from €1,535 to €20,000, following criticism of the disparity between the men's and women's races. The 2022 edition was won by Elisa Longo Borghini after a solo break with around 30 kilometres remaining, Alison Jackson won the 2023 edition from a small breakaway, and the 2024 edition was won by Lotte Kopecky from a small group sprint. In 2025, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won after a solo attack with 25 kilometres remaining – the first French win at Paris–Roubaix since 1997.

As with the men's edition, crashes are common and several riders have suffered injuries – with Annemiek van Vleuten breaking her pubic bone in a crash during the inaugural edition of the race and Sanne Cant requiring facial stitches after a crash during the 2023 race. ''Cycling News'' noted in 2021 that "luck is always a factor at Paris–Roubaix ..the rider who wins must have some good luck on her side to avoid the almost inevitable mechanicals and crashes across the pavè."

Course

The Paris–Roubaix Femmes course uses the same roads and cobbled sectors as the men's race – albeit over a shorter distance (around ) – before finishing in the Roubaix Velodrome. Editions of the race have so far started in Denain, with 17 sectors of pavé including the famed Carrefour de l'Arbre and the Mons-en-Pévèle – both ranked at "five stars" in difficulty. The course is maintained by ''Les Amis de Paris–Roubaix'', a group of fans of the race formed in 1983. The ''forçats du pavé'' seek to keep the course safe for riders while maintaining its difficulty.

Organisers noted they consider it "too dangerous" to include the five star cobbled sector Trouée d'Arenberg due to its proximity to the start in Denain, but they also noted that they "do not rule out that we will pass through ... in the future".

Winners & records

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Paris–Roubaix
UCI Women's World Tour races
Recurring sporting events established in 2021
Cycle races in France
Sport in Roubaix
2021 establishments in France