There is an obvious favorite for the fifth edition of the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift: world champion Lotte Kopecky. After finishing second in 2022, the extraordinary Belgian cyclist did better last year, sprinting past a group of five rivals. At the time, she was already the favorite and wore the world champion jersey, which she will wear again today starting from Denain. Will the result be the same? In such an unpredictable race as the Hell of the North, no one can know for certain, but the Belgian seems in top form and is at the center of attention.

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Last Sunday Lotte Kopecky conquered the Tour of Flanders, securing a historic triple and today she's hunting for another record: if she wins, she would be the first woman to achieve the Flanders-Roubaix double.

However, there won't be a lack of obstacles on the roads of the Nord department, primarily the 17 pavé sectors (the same as last year) on the 148.5 km course. In the SD Worx-Protime team, Kopecky will pair with sprinter Lorena Wiebes, but Lidl-Trek will maintain a numerical advantage: the American team will field Elisa Balsamo (second behind Kopecky last year), Elizabeth Deignan (winner of the inaugural edition), Lucinda Brand (third in 2022), Emma Norsgaard (sixth in 2021) and a powerhouse like Ellen van Dijk (sixth in 2024 and seventh in 2023).

The Visma-Lease a Bike team is also eager to create problems for their rivals: second in 2022 and fourth last season, queen Marianne Vos can count on Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, returning to the Hell of the North. The French rider, who won gold in mountain bike at the last Summer Olympics, is turning heads with her return to road racing. The former cyclocross world champion, third at Strade Bianche and second at the Tour of Flanders, has the credentials to tackle the pavé.

Another stellar debutante is the mountain bike world champion Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck). Finally, French riders Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) and Marie Le Net (FDJ–Suez) are just two of the athletes eager to emulate Alison Jackson (EF Education–Oatly), who staged a stunning victory by winning the 2023 edition with a brilliant breakaway. Unfortunately, Elisa Longo Borghini, the 2022 winner, will be absent due to the aftermath of her crash at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday.

PAVÉ SECTORS

17: From 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: From 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: From Mérignies to Avelin (km 216.7 — 0.7 km) **
9: From 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 From 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) *