Paris-Roubaix 2025 previewRoute, favourites, TV coverage & live stream

Thomas Goldmann

 · 11.04.2025

Men's Paris-Roubaix 2025 on the map
Photo: A.S.O.
Paris-Roubaix 2025, the "Queen of the Classics", is coming up this weekend. TOUR takes a look at the route and does a favourites check.

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Paris-Roubaix 2025: The most important facts in brief

The route of Paris-Roubaix 2025

The 122nd edition of the legendary one-day Paris-Roubaix men's race will take place on 13 April 2025, with the 5th edition of the women's race taking place the day before. The men will start in Compiègne and cover a distance of 259.2 kilometres to the famous cycling circuit in Roubaix - the women will start in Denain and cover 148.5 kilometres. The most important change to the men's course was made before the Arenberg forest. On the one hand, there is an additional loop with two additional cobbled sections. In addition, the chicane before the Arenberg forest, which was used for the first time in 2024, will not be used again in this form.

The men's route

Men's Paris-Roubaix 2025 on the mapPhoto: A.S.O.Men's Paris-Roubaix 2025 on the map

The peloton takes about 100 kilometres to the first cobbled sector in Troisvilles. This is number 30 - then it's a countdown to sector 1 in Roubaix. The organisers have integrated two additional cobbled sections into the route, which enrich the section around the municipality of Quérénaing. These are sector 24 Artres (after 130.9 km, 1300 metres long) and sector 23 Famars (after 133.8 km, 1200 metres long). "These are not particularly difficult sections," explains race director Thierry Gouvenou, "but their introduction creates a sequence of five sectors, almost without tarmac."

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The forest of Arenberg

Relentless jolting: the ride through the Arenberg forest over the worst kind of cobblestonesPhoto: Getty Images/Dario BelingheriRelentless jolting: the ride through the Arenberg forest over the worst kind of cobblestones
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The Trouée d'Arenberg (Arenberg Forest), which is reached after 163.9 kilometres, is considered one of the decisive sections of the race with its 2300 metres of cobblestones of the worst kind. Crashes, defects, a bad position: if you fall behind here, you hardly stand a chance of winning. Last year, a chicane was installed before the Arenberg sector to reduce the speed of the field of riders. This year, the organisers have found an alternative solution (this is what it looks like), which should reduce the speed of the peloton more gently. A small diversions leads the riders along the mining area in Arenberg, with four right-angled bends in the kilometre before the cobbled sector. This measure is intended to increase safety. Before the chicane was introduced for the first time in 2024, riders were speeding into the Arenberg forest, often causing serious crashes.

After the Arenberg forest, there are two more cobbled sectors with five stars (the highest level of difficulty), which are likely to be decisive for the outcome of the race: sector 11 Mons-en-Pévèle after 210.6 km (3000 metres long) and sector 4 Carrefour de l'Arbre after 242.1 km (2100 m long).

Paris-Roubaix 2025: The cobblestone sectors

  • 30: Troisvilles to Inchy (km 95.8 - 2.2 km) ***
  • 29: Viesly to Quiévy (km 102.3 - 1.8 km) ***
  • 28: Quiévy to Saint-Python (km 104.9 - 3.7 km) ****
  • 27: Saint-Python (km 109.6 - 1.5 km) **
  • 26: Vertain to Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon (km 116.7 - 2.3 km) ***
  • 25: Verchain-Maugré to Quérénaing (km 128 - 1.6 km) ***
  • 24: Quérénaing to Artres (km 130.9 - 1.3 km) **
  • 23: Artres to Famars (km 133.8 - 1.2 km) ***
  • 22: Quérénaing to Maing (km 138.5 - 2.5 km) ***
  • 21: Maing to Monchaux-sur-Écaillon (km 141.6 - 1.6 km) ***
  • 20: Haveluy to Wallers (km 154.5 - 2.5 km) ****
  • 19: Trouée d'Arenberg (km 163.9 - 2.3 km) *****
  • 18: Wallers to Hélesmes (km 170 - 1.6 km) ***
  • 17: Hornaing to Wandignies (km 176.8 - 3.7 km) ****
  • 16: Warlaing to Brillon (km 184.2 - 2.4 km) ***
  • 15: Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières (km 187.7 - 2.4 km) ****
  • 14: Beuvry to Orchies (km 194.1 - 1.4 km) ***
  • 13: Orchies (km 199.1 - 1.7 km) ***
  • 12: Auchy to Bersée (km 205.2 - 2.7 km) ****
  • 11: Mons-en-Pévèle (km 210.6 - 3 km) *****
  • 10: Mérignies to Avelin (km 216.7 - 0.7 km) **
  • 9: Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin (km 220 - 1.4 km) ***
  • 8: Templeuve - L'Épinette (km 225.4 - 0.2 km)
  • 8: Templeuve - Moulin-de-Vertain (km 226 - 0.5 km) **
  • 7: Cysoing to Bourghelles (km 232.4 - 1.3 km) ***
  • 6: Bourghelles to Wannehain (km 234.9 - 1.1 km) ***
  • 5: Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 239.4 - 1.8 km) ****
  • 4: Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 242.1 - 2.1 km) *****
  • 3: Gruson (km 244.4 - 1.1 km) **
  • 2: Willems to Hem (km 251.1 - 1.4 km) ***
  • 1: Roubaix (km 257.8 - 0.3 km)
The men's pavé sectors of Paris-RoubaixPhoto: A.S.O.The men's pavé sectors of Paris-Roubaix


Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift 2025 route

Women's Paris-Roubaix 2025 on the mapPhoto: A.S.O.Women's Paris-Roubaix 2025 on the map

The day before, the 5th edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift will take place on Saturday. The women's course is identical to that of 2024, with 29.2 kilometres of cobblestones spread over 17 sectors that correspond to the final of the men's race.

The women's cobblestone sectors

  • 17: Hornaing to Wandignies (km 66 - 3.7 km) ****
  • 16: Warlaing to Brillon (km 73.5 - 2.4 km) ***
  • 15: Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières (km 76.9 - 2.4 km) ****
  • 14: Beuvry-la-Forèt to Orchies (km 83.3 - 1.4 km) ***
  • 13: Orchies (km 88.3 - 1.7 km) ***
  • 12: Auchy-lez-Orchies to Bersée (km 94.4 - 2.7 km) ****
  • 11: Mons-en-Pévèle (km 99.9 - 3 km) *****
  • 10: Mérignies to Avelin (km 105.9 - 0.7 km) **
  • 9: Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin (km 109.3 - 1.4 km) ***
  • 8: Templeuve (l'Epinette) (km 114.7 - 0.2 km) *
  • 8: Templeuve (Moulin-de-Vertain) (km 115.2 - 0.5 km) **
  • 7: Cysoing to Bourghelles (km 121.6 - 1.3 km) ***
  • 6: Bourghelles to Wannehain (km 124.1 - 1.1 km) ***
  • 5: Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 128.6 - 1.8 km) ****
  • 4: Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 131.3 - 2.1 km) *****
  • 3: Gruson (km 133.6 - 1.1 km) **
  • 2: Willems to Hem (km 140.3 - 1.4 km) **
  • 1: Roubaix (Espace Charles Crupelandt) (km 147.1 - 0.3 km) *
The women's pavé sectors of Paris-RoubaixPhoto: A.S.O.The women's pavé sectors of Paris-Roubaix

The favourites

Men

A lot is being said about Tadej Pogačar and his debut in the "Hell of the North". But can the Tour de France winner really win Paris-Roubaix 2025? There is a lot to be said for it. The Slovenian already shone at the Tour de France 2022 on the Pavé stage, which led over sectors of Paris-Roubaix, and he is in impressive form, which he recently proved with his victory at the Tour of Flanders. However, there are also a few things that speak against the Slovenian. His biggest handicap: there are no mountains. In terms of watts per kilogramme, no one can hold a candle to him, but that's not what matters on the flat cobbled roads. If Pogačar wants to win, he will have to arrive at the Roubaix race track without Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin - Deceuninck), Mads Pedersen (Lidl - Trek) or Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). Because in a sprint, the chances of the Tour of Flanders winner beating the aforementioned rivals are slim.

Mathieu van der Poel in the Arenberg forest at Paris-Roubaix 2024Photo: Getty ImagesAlex BroadwayMathieu van der Poel in the Arenberg forest at Paris-Roubaix 2024

Which brings us to the other favourites. Van der Poel was recently the rider who stood up to Pogačar the longest and was also able to beat him at Milan-San Remo. The winner of the last two years knows Paris-Roubaix inside out and is an outstanding control artist, which is something he was able to capitalise on in Possible rain would play into his hands even more, and he is hard to beat in the sprint. However, MvdP, as he is known, was unable to keep up with Pogačar in Flanders, which was probably also due to his crash during the race and a short illness break after the E3 prize. It is possible that the Dutchman is no longer quite at the level of Milan-San Remo.

In contrast, Wout van Aert recently gave the impression at the Tour of Flanders that he is slowly but surely improving his form. The Belgian reached the finish of the Ronde together with van der Poel and Pedersen and is in no way inferior to van der Poel in terms of his skills on the cobbles - except perhaps a few percentage points in terms of form. Mads Pedersen, who finished second at the Ronde and previously won Gent-Wevelgem, is undoubtedly in the form of his life. His handicap last Sunday was the climbs. There are none in Roubaix. If he is spared defects, the Dane can also win. The only thing he might not be at the same level as van der Poel or van Aert is his steering skills.

Just like Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers). The hour world record holder tried an early attack at the Ronde, which didn't work. His 83kg body weight could be an advantage for the Italian, who is riding the spring of his life, at Paris-Roubaix. And the track specialist is not to be underestimated in the sprint on the Roubaix race track either. With Jasper Philipsen and Jasper Stuyven, Alpecin - Deceuninck with van der Poel and Lidl - Trek with Pedersen each have another option for victory. Just like UAE Team Emirates - XRG, who are sending last year's fourth-placed rider, Nils Politt. However, the German will probably have to provide assistance for Pogačar. Stefan Küng (Groupama - FDJ) finished fifth behind Politt last year. The Swiss rider is also among the favourites again in 2025. There are also numerous riders who have outsider chances. These include Max Walscheid (Team Jayco AlUla), Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), Jordi Meeus and Laurence Pithie (both Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) and Dylan van Baarle (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)

The favourites according to TOUR stars

***** Mathieu van der Poel

**** Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen

*** Filippo Ganna

** Jasper Philipsen, Jasper Stuyven, Stefan Küng

* Nils Politt, Max Walscheid, Søren Wærenskjold, Tim Merlier, Jordi Meeus, Laurence Pithie, Joshua Tarling, Dylan van Baarle

Results Paris-Roubaix 2024


2024:

Paris-Roubaix: Compiègne - Roubaix

07/04/2024 | 259.7 km
In cooperation with

Women

The situation is slightly different in the women's race. Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx - Protime) is a clear favourite here, who is aiming for the double after her home victory in the Tour of Flanders and wants to defend her title. Her team also has a second trump card in Lorena Wiebes. On the road to Roubaix, there are no hell rings that could hurt the Dutch sprinter. Two women who could beat Kopecky and Wiebes in the sprint would be Elisa Balsamo (Lidl - Trek), last year's runner-up and recent winner of the Schelde Prize, and Marianne Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). However, the most successful female cyclist in history in terms of victories was recently ill before the Tour of Flanders. She also has strong competition in her own team in the form of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The Olympic mountain bike champion finished second in the Tour of Flanders. Ellen van Dijk was also strong at the Tour of Flanders and, alongside Balsamo, is Lidl-Trek's second trump card on Saturday. The German team CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto will have a chance with Chloé Dygert and top talent Zoe Bäckstedt. It will be exciting to see how the German Rosa Maria Klöser performs in her Roubaix debut. Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly - winner 2023) and her team-mate Letizia Borghesi, Pfeiffer Georgi (Team Picnic PostNL) and Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) should also not be underestimated.

The favourites according to TOUR stars

***** Lotte Kopecky

**** Elisa Balsamo, Lorena Wiebes

*** Marianne Vos, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot

** Ellen van Dijk, Chloé Dygert

* Zoe Bäckstedt, Alison Jackson, Letizia Borghesi, Pfeiffer Georgi, Cat Ferguson

Results Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2024


2024:

Paris-Roubaix Femmes : Denain - Roubaix

06/04/2024 | 148.5 km
In cooperation with

What will the weather be like?

It could rain on Sunday during the men's race. According to Meteo France isolated rain showers are possible. Should it rain, this would fundamentally change the characteristics of the race. On slippery pavement, steering skills are even more in demand than in dry conditions. While it is still relatively unclear whether it will rain for the men, it is highly likely that the women will race in dry conditions on Saturday.

Paris-Roubaix 2025: TV broadcast & live stream

The "Queen of the Classics" is broadcast in Germany on free TV on Eurosport 1 transferred. The Women's race on Saturday runs from 14:30-17:30which Men on Sunday from 10:30-17:45. Both competitions are also available at Discovery Plus each a chargeable Live stream.



Paris-Roubaix Everyman 2025

Also on Saturday, 12 April 2025, the men's and women's races will race over the cobbles in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge. Amateur athletes will have the opportunity to take on the challenges of the pavé on one of the three distances on offer: 70 km (8 cobbled sections), 145 km (19 cobbled sections) or 170 km (30 cobbled sections).

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