When is the Paris-Roubaix 2026?

The Paris-Roubaix 2026 is already on the horizon as one of the most anticipated days of the cycling spring. Next Sunday, April 12, the peloton will once again face one of the most extreme tests on the calendar and a route that does not forgive mistakes.

Schedule and how to watch the Paris-Roubaix 2026 for free

The race will start in Compiègne and, as usual, the neutral start is expected to take place at 10:50, with arrival expected at the Roubaix velodrome between 16:35 and 17:05, at a time close to the great classics of the north.

In Spain, the broadcast will again be available through Eurosport and the Max platform, but this edition will have an important novelty for the general public. RTVE will broadcast the race for free, allowing viewers to follow the Monument without a subscription.

A route that further toughens the Hell of the North

The 123rd edition maintains the essence of the race, starting in Compiègne and finishing at the historic Roubaix velodrome after more than 259 kilometers. However, for this edition, the organization has introduced small changes that, far from softening the route, increase the tension before the decisive sectors.

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The cobblestones will once again be the main protagonist with nearly 55 kilometers of cobbles. The race does not enter its most selective terrain until after the first 100 kilometers, when the first sector appears, but from there the demands are constant.

Before the Arenberg Forest, new sections have been added that toughen the approach and favor the selection occurring before one of the most dangerous points of the day. As was done last year, the entrance to Arenberg itself has also been modified to reduce speed, introducing curves that require better positioning.

After that critical point, the race enters its most recognizable phase. Mons-en-Pévèle and the Carrefour de l’Arbre will once again mark the outcome, especially the latter, where historically many editions have been decided before the final journey to the velodrome.

Pogacar could take a giant step in the History of Cycling

The great reference is once again Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutchman arrives as a three-time consecutive winner and with the possibility of equaling the historic record of four victories, a figure reserved for legends like Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen. In addition, he faces the opportunity to do something never seen before, chaining four consecutive victories in the Hell of the North.

But much of the focus will also be on Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian has made it a top priority to complete the five Monuments, and Paris-Roubaix is the only one that is still not in his palmarès. Winning here would place him in an extremely select group, as he would become the fourth cyclist in history to achieve it. His ambition goes beyond just another classic; he is facing the possibility of entering a historic dimension within cycling.

In this pulse between history and the present, Wout van Aert also appears, who continues to pursue a victory that has eluded him several times and fits perfectly with his characteristics. While we await the final list of participants, we will update the article when that happens, names like Mads Pedersen and Jasper Philipsen complete a group of contenders who can take advantage of any unpredictable scenario in a race where everything can go awry in any sector of cobbles.

But Paris-Roubaix does not understand logic or pre-established scripts. It is a race that punishes every mistake and rewards those who know how to endure when everything falls apart. Strength matters, but here, the one who adapts best to chaos wins.