Tadej Pogacar ready for Paris-Roubaix debut in cycling’s toughest test

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar takes on Paris-Roubaix for the first time, facing the legendary cobblestones in a race known as the Hell of the North.

Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia from UAE Team Emirates rides during a reconnaissance of the 2025 Paris-Roubaix one-day cycling race route around Roubaix, France, on April 11, 2025. Photo by Jasper Jacobs/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Tadej Pogacar’s Paris-Roubaix debut is set to captivate the cycling world as the reigning Tour de France champion prepares to ride through the brutal cobbles of northern France. This Sunday, the Slovenian superstar becomes the first current Tour winner in 34 years to take on the "Hell of the North," a legendary one-day classic renowned for its chaos, danger, and history.

The 26-year-old rider was the center of attention at a gala in Compiegne on Saturday, where excitement for the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix reached fever pitch. Fans swarmed Pogacar as he posed for photos and signed autographs, fully aware that his presence on the start list is rewriting the norms of modern cycling.

"We're here and we go for it. Every race is hard to win and every race is exciting," Pogacar told reporters with a smile, downplaying the enormous physical and mental challenge ahead of him.

A bold move from the Tour de France king

Pogacar’s Paris-Roubaix debut carries more than symbolic weight. The Tour de France champion is diving head-first into a race famed for punishing the bold. Over 260 kilometers of mostly flat but brutally rough terrain, the riders will crash, puncture, and grind their way across 29 cobbled sectors that snake through the old mining roads of northern France.

"I'm nervous today but we'll see tomorrow," Pogacar admitted. "It's no more dangerous than a mass sprint at the Tour de France."

His modest weight—just 65kg—stands in contrast to the traditional build of a Paris-Roubaix champion. History has favored heavier, sturdier riders who can power over the uneven stones without being tossed around like leaves in the wind.

Yet Pogacar is undeterred, his confidence fueled by a win at the Tour of Flanders last week. That race, known for its steep, punchy climbs, plays more to his physical strengths, but Pogacar is now stepping into territory where brute force and luck play equal roles.

A field packed with contenders

Pogacar’s rivals are lining up with their own ambitions. Wout van Aert, Belgium’s top hope, acknowledged Pogacar’s courage and daring.

"I admire him," said Van Aert. "It's really daring for a Tour de France winner. And it's really big for cycling."

Van Aert, a powerhouse in the Classics and cobbled races, added, "It will be more difficult for him to win than at the Tour of Flanders," noting that Paris-Roubaix demands a different type of resilience.

Meanwhile, Dutch sensation Mathieu van der Poel is aiming for a third straight victory in Roubaix. The current king of the cobbles received thunderous applause from fans during Saturday’s gala, even louder than Pogacar’s welcome. Yet Van der Poel tempered expectations.

"There are maybe ten riders here who can win, that's what makes this race so atypical," he said, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Paris-Roubaix.

Ineos rider Filippo Ganna, one of the strongest time-trialists in the world, made his intentions clear: "I don't care what anyone says, everyone is here to win."

A brutal course and a race like no other

The Paris-Roubaix route is more than just tough—it is legendary. Beginning in Compiegne, about 80 kilometers north of Paris, the riders head into a gauntlet of punishment that includes treacherous sectors like the Arenberg Forest and Carrefour de l'Arbre. These stretches are famous for shattered bikes, falls, and injuries, and they often make or break contenders.

Among the 25 teams, each has selected seven of their strongest, most durable riders. These are cyclists trained not just for speed or endurance, but for resilience in the face of repeated shocks, mud, dust, and mechanical failures.

As race folklore has it, the cobbles—not the riders—decide the winner.

Each year, the victor receives a crude cobblestone trophy, a cheque worth €30,000, and eternal glory etched into a brass plaque in the Roubaix velodrome’s outdoor cold showers. It’s a monument to pain, perseverance, and cycling history.

Tragedy, tradition, and tribute

The "Hell of the North" moniker comes not only from the physical toll of the race, but from its dark past. In 2018, Belgian rider Michael Goolaerts tragically died from heart failure during the event. A roadside memorial now marks the spot where he fell, and the peloton will pass it again this year with a moment of reflection.

Pogacar, like every rider, is aware of the risks. Yet his decision to participate reflects his growing desire to expand his legacy beyond stage racing.

"I’m favourite to get a puncture," Pogacar joked during Saturday’s press meeting. "I got one on the training ride yesterday."

But his mindset is serious. The race will test not only his physical strength but also his technical skills, especially over the infamous pavé sectors.

Conditions for Sunday’s showdown

While Paris-Roubaix is often associated with rain, mud, and chaos, this year’s race looks set to take place under dry skies. Instead, riders will contend with strong, gusting winds that could split the peloton early and drain energy reserves even before the cobbles begin.

The dry conditions could make for a faster race, but not necessarily a safer one. Dust clouds reduce visibility, and punctures remain a constant threat. The lack of rain may help lighter riders like Pogacar maintain grip and momentum, but it won’t eliminate the danger.

The weight of history

Pogacar’s Paris-Roubaix debut marks a potential turning point for modern cycling. If the Tour de France champion can survive—let alone win—on these roads, it may signal a return to the days when riders competed across all terrains, all seasons, and all races.

It’s been 34 years since the last reigning Tour champion attempted this feat. Now, with millions watching and rivals ready to pounce, all eyes turn to Pogacar as he prepares to leave the safety of smooth roads behind.

On Sunday, when the peloton charges onto the first sector of cobblestones, there will be no more press conferences, no more predictions—just the sound of wheels hitting rock, hearts pounding, and legends being made.

Whether he wins or not, Tadej Pogacar’s Paris-Roubaix debut is already one for the history books.