5★
Paris–Roubaix (Women)
The 6th edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes (rebranded as Paris-Roubaix Femmes Hauts-de-France for 2026) ran 143.1km from Denain to the Roubaix velodrome on April 12, with 20 cobbled sectors totalling over 33km - the most in the women's race's history. For 2026 the route was sharpened by rerouting slightly east via Briastre so that the first four cobbled sectors now follow one another in quick succession, creating unprecedented cobble density in the early kilometres. Previous editions allowed a quiet hour to find rhythm; this year the Hell of the North began almost immediately. Key five-star sectors include Mons-en-Pévèle (sector 11, 48.6km to go) and Carrefour de l'Arbre (sector 4, 17.1km to go), with four four-star sectors including the new Haveluy to Wallers addition.
Where to watch
⚠️ Spoiler warning: live streams and broadcaster home pages may show current standings. Disable autoplay & avoid sidebar recommendations on YouTube.
Paris-Roubaix (Women)
The decisive pavé
Who to watch
Narratives to watch
- Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot returned to defend her Roubaix title after a historic solo win in 2025
- The 2026 route's concentrated early cobbles fundamentally changed the tactical shape of the race - no quiet first hour
- Haveluy to Wallers as a brand-new four-star sector for the women created an additional pre-Arenberg test
- The women's Roubaix is open to anyone with the right tactical instinct and luck — surprise winners are part of the race's DNA
Form book & lore
Paris-Roubaix Femmes was first held in 2021 - a belated but prestigious addition to the women's WorldTour calendar. The inaugural winner was Lizzie Deignan, who soloed to victory in horrific weather on a muddy cobbled epic. The race has quickly become a fixture on the Spring Classics calendar and is consistently the most unpredictable race of the season. The 2026 edition was the sixth running and the first under the 'Hauts-de-France' branding. The finish in the Roubaix velodrome is shared with the men's race, making it one of cycling's most iconic venues.
When to tune in
Tune in for the full race from the opening cobbled sectors - with the new 2026 format there's no quiet opening and chaos often strikes early. The critical TV window is the final hour from Mons-en-Pévèle (48.6km to go) through Carrefour de l'Arbre (17.1km to go). The velodrome finish is must-watch. Spoiler caution: YouTube search results and thumbnails often show the winner - disable autoplay.