A few new short sections, slightly fewer cobblestone kilometers compared to last year's edition, but the result doesn't change: Paris-Roubaix remains a test of strength and endurance, where the challenge is first and foremost with oneself. In modern sports, characterized by advanced materials and rigorous methodologies, it remains a solid bastion of classic cycling: not for nothing, with its 121 editions, it is considered the Queen of Classics. The classic route from Compiegne to the velodrome of the coal city, 259 kilometers, 55 of which are on hard stones, distributed across thirty sectors. The dance begins after a hundred kilometers, but the iconic points mark the destiny: the Arenberg Forest, a sieve of energies and hopes, where riders will enter after four sharp curves to reduce speed, Mons en Pevele and Carrefour de l'Arbre, where the truly worthy will be selected. Fourteen Italian victories, the last in 2021 in the only post-covid autumn edition with Colbrelli, so far the only one in the third millennium. Here are the ten faces that can lift the stone assigned as a trophy to the winner.

Mathieu Van der Poel. He wins because this classic is his home garden, because he has won the last two editions after a third and a ninth place, because on the stones he might fail once but not twice. He doesn't win because he hasn't fully recovered from a mild flu.

Tadej Pogacar. He wins because he's the only one in the world who can do it on any terrain, because when he sets his mind on a goal he always achieves it, because the challenges that seem impossible are the ones that motivate him most. He doesn't win because as a newcomer, luck alone is not enough.

Filippo Ganna. He wins because this is the great classic most suited to him, because he has already won it as an under-23, because he has the build and form to keep up with the strongest. He doesn't win because on cobblestones you need to be good at handling the bike and in case of a sprint finish, he risks finding someone faster.

Wout Van Aert. He wins because he's another who has an extra gear on the stones, because in the last two editions he finished on the podium, because racing the Tour of Flanders as a protagonist has restored his morale. He doesn't win because compared to other phenomena, he's still missing something.

Mads Pedersen. He wins because he's in an incredible form, because he has everything to conquer a monument classic, because he can count on luxury partners like Stuyven and Milan. He doesn't win because even when he does everything right, he always finds someone who does better.

Jasper Philipsen. He wins because he's familiar with the French stones, because he doesn't consider himself just a sprinter but a classics man, because in the last two participations he finished second. He doesn't win because he has raced little and when he did, he didn't shine.

Stefan Kung. He wins because in the Northern races he has always been at the front, because in this classic he is among the most experienced, because in the last three participations he regularly finished in the top five with a podium. He doesn't win because racing as a protagonist is not enough to achieve success.

Biniam Girmay. He wins because he has the right characteristics for this race, because it's one of the goals he set for his career, because in case of a group finish he is among the fastest. He doesn't win because he is a debutant and lack of experience on the cobblestones is an additional difficulty.

Oliver Naesen. He wins because he has the qualities to be a protagonist, because he has completed all nine editions he has participated in, because he is one of those who are always ready on the cobblestones. He doesn't win because the flu that made him miss the Tour of Flanders might have taken something away from him.

Tim Merlier. He wins because he is the most victorious this season, because besides being a sprinter he is also an endurance rider, because with teammate Lampaert he is Soudal's best card. He doesn't win because the favorites will keep the pace high to drop riders like him.