Known as “The Queen of the Classics” and, after World War I, “The Hell of the North,” Paris-Roubaix has always been a race rich in drama. The inaugural event in 1896 saw German cyclist Josef Fischer claim victory. No fellow countryman replicated this achievement until 2015, when John Degenkolb emerged triumphant. Despite being held in France, Belgians dominate the winner’s list with 57 victories, followed by the French with 28. Notably, Fabian Cancellara accounts for three of Switzerland’s four wins.
Often contested in harsh weather and over notoriously challenging roads, Paris-Roubaix has witnessed numerous controversies. One of the most amusing incidents occurred in 1907 when the solo leader, on the verge of entering the velodrome for the finish, was halted by a policeman demanding proof of his bicycle tax payment! Among its victors are those who achieved fame elsewhere, such as Albert Champion, the 1899 winner of a motor-paced edition, who later became a renowned manufacturer of automobile spark plugs in the United States. In 1949, a chaotic finish initially led to no winner being declared, only for two victors — Italy’s Serse Coppi and France’s André Mahé — to be recognized shortly thereafter.
The captivating history of Paris-Roubaix stretches back centuries, yet thanks to the vast archive of videos on YouTube, we can relive more recent editions of the race. Here is a selection of some outstanding moments:
1. The 1988 Race: Demol’s Ethical Victory
In 1988, a breakaway of 13 riders gradually dwindled to two. This 222 km attack remains the longest successful one in Paris-Roubaix history. The two remaining riders were domestiques: Dirk Demol of France and Thomas Wegmuller of Switzerland. As they entered the velodrome for the final laps, a plastic bag became lodged in Wegmuller’s rear derailleur. Demol, unwilling to exploit this misfortune, rode behind the Swiss rider while Wegmuller’s team car arrived, and staff attempted to clear the obstruction. They were only partially successful, and Demol ultimately sprinted to victory as his opponent was unable to shift gears. Watch highlights from the 1988 race
2. 1996: Mapei’s Unprecedented Dominance
In 1996, the Mapei team displayed absolute dominance, sweeping all three podium positions, with Johan Museeuw claiming the top spot. This marked the second of Mapei’s impressive five victories in six years, and remarkably, they secured all three podium places three times. Museeuw himself would go on to win the race three times in his career. Relive the 1996 race
3. Johan Museeuw’s Triumphant Comeback & Tom Boonen’s Ascent (1998-2002)
After winning the Tour of Flanders in 1998, Johan Museeuw suffered a severe crash on the Arenberg sector during Paris-Roubaix a week later, shattering his kneecap. Fears of amputation to save his life were raised, but he made a remarkable recovery, returning to racing to win Paris-Roubaix again in 2000 (his second victory) and 2002 (his third). See the 2002 race highlights
The 2002 race is also notable for another reason: it was a chaotic, mud-soaked edition. USPS team leader George Hincapie, for whom Paris-Roubaix never seemed to favor, slid off the road into a ditch, ending his chances. His teammate, a first-year professional named Tom Boonen, rode brilliantly to finish third. Museeuw declared Boonen his successor, and “Tommeke” went on to claim three Paris-Roubaix titles himself.
4. 2016: Matt Hayman’s Unexpected Triumph
Not every race is won by the favorite. The 2016 edition stands out as one of the best, where Australian domestique Matt Hayman joined a breakaway group at the 67 km mark. His group was later joined by attackers led by Team Sky about 30 km further on. The race was marred by numerous crashes—three Sky riders went down, and further back, Peter Sagan had to bunny hop over a fallen Fabian Cancellara. Ultimately, a five-man group formed with 20 km remaining, and Hayman won the sprint ahead of Tom Boonen. Remarkably, Hayman was recovering from a broken arm sustained at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and had only been training indoors. Tom Boonen, who missed his chance for a record-setting fourth Paris-Roubaix win, was on his first race day after fracturing his skull the previous October at the Abu Dhabi Tour. Cancellara, who continued the race after his initial crash but fell again in the velodrome, was simply relieved it was over and he wasn’t in the hospital. Peter Sagan commented that “it was a very hard race to win,” a feat he would achieve himself in 2018. Watch the thrilling finish of the 2016 race
5. The 2021 Edition: Women’s Debut, Colbrelli’s Peak, and Van der Poel’s Reign
Our final highlight is the 2021 edition. The race, canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was rescheduled for October 2021. This marked two significant firsts: the inaugural women’s race and the first wet and rainy weekend in two decades. The pioneering women’s race proved an epic adventure, complete with inevitable crashes, but ultimately, victory went to Britain’s Lizzie Deignan, bloody hands and all. Watch highlights from the 2021 Women’s Paris-Roubaix
The men’s race also delivered a memorable win. Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli was enjoying the best year of his career, having won the Benelux Tour, Italian National Road Race Championships, European Road Race Championships, and stages at the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphiné. His Roubaix triumph came in a three-up sprint against Florian Vermeersch and Mathieu van der Poel. Crossing the finish line, the mud-caked winner lifted his bike like a trophy before collapsing to the ground, weeping. He was the first Italian winner since 1999. Tragically, this was to be Colbrelli’s last victory; in March 2022, he suffered cardiac arrest while sprinting for second in the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya. Though rapid medical attention saved him, he was forced to retire from racing. Experience the finish of the 2021 Men’s Paris-Roubaix
Since then, Dutch riders have asserted their dominance with four consecutive wins. While Dylan van Baarle (INEOS Grenadiers) claimed the crown in 2023, Mathieu van der Poel has been the standout performer. After placing third in his debut in 2021 and ninth in 2022, he secured victories in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2024, he achieved the rare feat of winning both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.