The road to hell is paved with grand ambitions

February 17 ^th 2023 - 14:00

Paris–Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, whose third edition will be held on Saturday, 8 April, has been lengthened to 145.4 km (versus 124.7 km in 2022). Following the extended roll-out from Denain, the women will merge onto the men's course to tackle an identical succession of 17 cobbled sectors (for a total of 29.2 km).

 The alteration made to the third edition of Paris–Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift comes before the first cobblestones, but it is likely to make itself felt at a later point in the race. Two distinct loops on windswept roads near the beginning of the course will add an extra 20 kilometres or so to the total distance. The multiple changes of direction in the preliminary phase could trigger a brawl among the favourites, who will merge onto the men's course upon reaching the cobbled sector in Hornaing. The no-holds-barred contest will continue for another 82.4 kilometres (including 29.2 km of cobblestones) before the finish in Roubaix Velodrome. Another two decisive moments will come in Mons-en-Pévèle (km 96.9) and the Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 128.3), where every time without fail —Lizzie Deignan in 2021 and Elisa Longo-Borghini in 2022— the future winner has been alone at the front. Can anyone buck the trend?