They don’t call it “The Hell of the North” for nothing. Since its first running in 1896, Paris-Roubaix has delivered chaos, controversy, and career-defining glory across the brutal cobbles of northern France. From bizarre early incidents to modern-day dominance, this Monument has produced some of cycling’s most unforgettable moments—and we’ve picked five of the best editions that define its legend.
“The Queen of the Classics” it is called, and after World War I “The Hell of the North” as well, has been a race full of incident. German rider Josef Fischer won the inaugural Paris-Roubaix event in 1896. His example was not followed by a countryman until 2015, when John Degenkolb was the victor. Although held in France, Belgians have claimed 57 wins, with the French next at 28. Going down the list, Fabian Cancellara delivered three of Switzerland’s four wins.
In a race often held in poor weather and over terrible roads, Paris-Roubaix has had more than its share of controversies. My favourite incident occurred in 1907, when the solo race leader about to enter the velodrome at the finish was held up by a policeman demanding proof that the tax on his bicycle had been paid!
Start line at the 1907 Paris – Roubaix
A rider who went on to greater renown elsewhere was 1899 winner Albert Champion, who won the race in a motor-paced edition, and then went on to become a celebrated manufacturer of automobile spark plugs in the United States. I reviewed the excellent book about his very colourful life here.
In 1949 there was some confusion at the finish which resulted at first in a declaration that there was no winner, followed shortly after that by, yes, in fact there were two winners: Serse Coppi of Italy and Andre Mahe of France.
One notes that the entertaining history of Paris-Roubaix reaches far back but thanks to the massive vault of videos on YouTube we can relive more recent editions of the race. Here’s a selection of some outstanding editions:
1. 1988: The Longest Breakaway and a Plastic Bag Twist
In 1988 a breakaway of 13 gradually was reduced to two riders. To this day the attack of 222 kms remains the longest successful breakway in Paris-Roubaix history. Those two remaining riders were a pair of 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. Unwilling to take advantage of this, Demol rode behind the Swiss as Wegmuller’s team car came up and staff attempted to clear the bag. They were only partially successful and Demol went on to sprint to victory as his opponent was unable to shift gear.
2. 1996: Mapei’s Domination and Carbon Bikes Change the Game
In 1996, the Mapei team showed utter dominance in taking all three podium spots, with Johan Museeuw on the top step. This was the second of what were to be Mapei’s five wins in six years and, incredibly, taking all three podium spots three times. Museeuw himself was to win the race three times in his career. The year before Ernesto Colnago had to convince the team with some effort that his new lugged carbon C40 bicycle would not break on the cobbles. While monocoque carbon frames had been used to win the Tour de France already in 1986, that 1995 Paris-Roubaix win by Franco Ballerini for the Mapei team marked the real acceptance of carbon’s durability in the peloton.
3. From Near Disaster to Glory: Museeuw’s Roubaix Redemption
After winning the Tour of Flanders in 1998, Johan Museeuw was to have a serious crash on the Arenberg sector during Paris-Roubaix a week later, smashing his knee cap. There was fear that an amputation would be needed to save his life but he was able to pull through. He recovered to the extent that he was able to return to racing and won Paris-Roubaix again in 2000 for the second time, and in 2002 for the third.
The 2002 race is noteworthy also for another reason. It was a messy, mud-soaked edition and USPS team leader George Hincapie, whom Paris-Roubaix never seemed to favour, slid off the road into a ditch, ending his chances. His teammate, a first-year pro named Tom Boonen, rode brilliantly to come in third. Museeuw was to declare Boonen his successor and “Tommeke” went on to win three Paris-Roubaix races of his own.
4. 2016: Matt Hayman’s Fairytale Victory Against the Odds
Not every race is won by a rider deemed the favourite. Certainly among the best editions of the race has to be the 2016 one, where Australian domestique Matt Hayman went out in a breakaway group at the 67 km mark. His group was joined by some attackers led by Team Sky around 30 kms later. There were crashes galore–three of the Sky riders went down and, further back, Peter Sagan had to bunny hop over a fallen Fabian Cancellara. In the end, a five-man group formed with 20 kms remaining and Hayward won the sprint ahead of Tom Boonen.
Remarkably, Hayman was recovering from a broken arm suffered at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and had only been riding indoors for training since then. (This turned out to be a big boost for Zwift when news got out). 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. And Cancellara, who continued the race after his crash but crashed again in the velodrome, was happy that it was over and that he was not in the hospital. Peter Sagan remarked that “it was a very hard race to win.” He would win it himself in 2018.
5. Colbrelli’s Emotional Triumph in the Mud
Our final selection is the 2021 edition of the race. In 2020 the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and not rescheduled until October 2021. This marked the first time a women’s race was held and the weekend was wet and rainy for the first time in two decades.
The inaugural women’s race was an epic adventure, with the inevitable crashes, but in the end victory went to Britain’s Lizzie Deignan, bloody hands and all. She certainly deserved the win after an 80 km solo breakaway ride.
And the men’s race offered up another memorable win. Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli was enjoyed the best year of his racing life. He won the Benelux Tour stage race, the Italian National Road Race Championships, the European Road Race Championships and stages at the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphine. His victory at Roubaix came in a three-up sprint against Florian Vermeersch and Mathieu van der Poel. Crossing the finish line, the mud-caked winner held up his bike like a trophy and then collapsed to the ground, weeping. He was the first Italian winner since 1999. Sadly, this was to be Colbrelli’s last win as in March 2022 he suffered cardiac arrest on sprinting to second in the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya. Although rapid medical attention saved him, he was forced to retire from racing.
The Modern Cobbled King: Van der Poel’s Roubaix Reign
Since then the Dutch have made their presence known, with four straight wins. In 2023 it was Dylan van Baarle riding for INEOS Grenadiers who took the crown but the dominant rider since has been Mathieu van der Poel. His first appearance was in 2021, where he came third; in 2022 he was ninth; and in 2023-2025 he was the winner. He was able to do the rare Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix double win in 2024.
Why Paris-Roubaix Still Captivates
Few races combine history, brutality, and unpredictability like Paris-Roubaix. Whether it’s mud-soaked epics, mechanical heartbreak, or surprise winners from the breakaway, the race continues to evolve while staying true to its chaotic roots. And with modern stars continuing to add to its mythology, the Hell of the North remains as compelling as ever.
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