Tadej Pogacar to Make Debut at Paris-Roubaix

Three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar is set to make his highly anticipated debut at the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic next month, as confirmed by his team, UAE Team Emirates

The Slovenian cyclist will compete in the grueling race, renowned for its challenging cobblestone sections, with the ambition of becoming the first Tour de France champion to secure victory in Roubaix since cycling legend Bernard Hinault in 1981.

"Paris-Roubaix is a challenge worthy of his talent. It’s far from a guaranteed victory because he will face a course that doesn’t suit him naturally, but I think that’s exactly what drives him—the chance to make cycling history,” remarked Paris-Roubaix race director Thierry Gouvenou. “This is a huge moment for cycling.”

Originally scheduled to participate in the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem this week, Pogacar has opted to refocus his efforts on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. His decision underscores his commitment to achieving peak performance in these prestigious races, which are part of cycling's esteemed five "monuments," alongside Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour of Lombardy, and Milan-San Remo.

Pogacar, who has already claimed seven monuments—including the Tour of Flanders once, Liège-Bastogne-Liège twice, and the Tour of Lombardy four times—has adjusted his racing calendar to prioritize these iconic events.

The Paris-Roubaix, first launched in 1896, is notorious for its challenges, often leading to punctures, crashes, and unpredictable drama. Dubbed the "Enfer du Nord" or "Hell of the North," the race earned its moniker in 1919, when a journalist described the devastated landscapes left in the wake of World War I. The 2022 race saw the winner, Mathieu van der Poel, complete the course in a fraction of the time it took the inaugural winner, Henri Pelissier, who spent over 12 hours on the road.

At just 26 years old, Pogacar stands out as one of the most exciting riders of his generation, capable of conquering diverse terrains with an insatiable appetite for victory reminiscent of the great Eddy Merckx. Although he has never competed in Paris-Roubaix, Pogacar gained valuable experience on cobblestones during a dramatic fifth stage of the 2022 Tour de France, where he excelled despite the challenging conditions.

This year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix will feature a grueling 259.2-kilometer (161-mile) route from Compiègne to Roubaix, incorporating 30 cobbled sections that span a total of 55.3 kilometers (34 miles). New sections of cobbles have been added to the course, particularly leading into the infamous Trouée d’Arenberg, which is expected to test even the most seasoned cyclists.

Organizers have also made adjustments to the course, including an alternative to the controversial switchback introduced last year for safety reasons, which had drawn criticism from riders, including van der Poel, who is also expected to be a strong contender in this year’s race.

The women's race, measuring 148.5 kilometers (92 miles), will remain unchanged, with female riders tackling the final 17 sections of the men's course, totaling 29.2 kilometers (18 miles) of cobbles.