The Hell of the North and the glory of the Queen of Classics await the stars of spring on the Paris-Roubaix roads, ready to host a great battle on the pavé. Sunday, the champions of the stones will fight en route to the André-Pétrieux velodrome, not just for a place in Paris-Roubaix history, but also for the opportunity to write their name in cycling legend.

At the start in Compiègne, the public will meet some regulars of the race, led by defending champion Mathieu van der Poel, and a new guest, Tadej Pogacar, a newcomer to the Hell of the North but already a favorite for his iridescent brilliance and the versatility of his talent.

The Slovenian cannibal is the first reigning Tour de France winner to line up at the Paris-Roubaix start since Greg LeMond in 1991. But Pogacar doesn't want to just participate: will he manage to turn his first attempt into a masterpiece? After his display of strength on the pavé at the Tour of Flanders, he dreams of following in the footsteps of the "flahutes" who have won the two Monument stones consecutively. There are eleven such double winners, Van der Poel being the latest... And none of them had won the Tour the previous summer (only Louison Bobet and Eddy Merckx have won all three events in their career, but not consecutively).

Defeated in Flanders, Van der Poel is still the reference on the Roubaix pavé, where he triumphed in 2023 and 2024. He too is racing for history: a third consecutive victory would put him on par with Octave Lapize (1909, 1910, 1911) and Francesco Moser (1978, 1979, 1980), the only champions to have achieved such a feat. The Dutchman can count on his experience and the support of Jasper Philipsen, absent from the Ronde and 2nd in the last two editions of Paris-Roubaix. Will the Belgian sprinter be able to overturn the balances seen in recent weeks?

With its challenges and dangers, the Hell of the North lends itself to all kinds of scenarios. Battling Pogacar and Van der Poel on Sunday, Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert are looking for the plan that will crown them in Roubaix, perhaps thanks to the collective strength of their teams. Jasper Stuyven, accustomed to giving his best in big events, was the only rider who could accompany the infernal quartet on Sunday in Flanders. And Jonathan Milan brings his power and speed to give Lidl-Trek another tactical option.

These contenders should find allies in the great condition of Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng to try to outmaneuver the Pogacar - Van der Poel duo, winners of the last six Monuments, and perhaps another prestigious debutant: Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). Like Pogacar, the king of sprints in the last Tour de France has already shown his brilliance in the classics. But the challenges of Paris-Roubaix are unique.

TEAMS AT THE START AND MAIN REGISTERED RIDERS

Australia
Jayco-AlUla : Walscheid (Ger)

Bahrain
Bahrain Victorious : Mohoric (Slo), Wright (Gbr)

Belgium
Alpecin-Deceuninck: Van der Poel (Ned), Philipsen (Bel)
Intermarché-Wanty: Girmay (Eri), Petit (Fra), Rex (Bel)
Lotto: De Lie (Bel), Segaert (Bel)
Soudal Quick-Step: Merlier (Bel), Lampaert (Bel)

United Arab Emirates
UAE Team Emirates-XRG: Pogacar (Slo), Vermeersch (Bel), Wellens (Bel), Politt (Ger), Morgado (Por)

France
Arkea-B&B Hotels: Démare (Fra), Mozzato (Ita)
Cofidis: De Gendt (Bel), Renard (Fra)
Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale: Naesen (Bel), Bissegger (Sui), Gautherat (Fra)
Groupama-FDJ: Küng (Sui), Askey (Gbr)
Total Energies: Turgis (Fra), Brunel (Fra)
Unibet Tietema Rockets: Kubis (Svk), Huens (Fra)

Germany
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe: Meeus (Bel), Pithie (Nzl)

Great Britain
Ineos Grenadiers: Ganna (Ita), Tarling (Gbr), Turner (Gbr)

Israel
Israel-Premier Tech: Hoftstetter (Fra), Louvel (Fra)

Kazakhstan
XDS-Astana: Ballerini (Ita), Fedorov (Kaz), Teunissen (Ned)

Norway
Uno-X Mobility: Kristoff (Nor), Waerenskjold (Nor), Hoelgaard (Nor)

Netherlands
Picnic PostNL: Eekhoff (Ned), Bittner (Cze)
Visma-Lease a Bike: Van Aert (Bel), Van Baarle (Ned), Brennan (Gbr)

Spain
Movistar: Garcia Cortina (Esp)

United States
EF Education-Easypost: Mikhels (Est), Van den Berg (Ned)
Lidl-Trek: Pedersen (Den), Stuyven (Bel), Milan (Ita)

Switzerland
Q36.5: Moschetti (Ita), Steimle (Ger)
Tudor: Trentin (Ita), Haller (Aut)