The Queen of the Classics is upon us. On Sunday 12th April, the peloton will face the iconic cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, offering over 250km of bone-rattling racing through France’s rugged north.
Last year, Mathieu van der Poel was crowned for the third consecutive year, having left Tadej Pogačar in the mud (quite literally) on the cobblestones. The Slovenian would soldier on to finish second, with Mads Pedersen rounding out the podium in third. All three return to the pavé this year, with Wout van Aert and Filippo Ganna also touted for a podium bid in the Roubaix Velodrome.
In anticipation of the men’s race on Sunday, we’ve trawled through the betting odds to find the ten most hotly tipped contenders for victory. Today, we’ll round up their recent results, race history and race days to gain a better insight on the big favourites.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
Alpecin-Premier Tech’s Van der Poel will enter Paris-Roubaix as the bookies’ favourite for glory. No surprise, given he’s won the Queen of the Classics three years on the trot. Not just that, Van der Poel has finished on the podium on four of his five Roubaix attempts, including that string of consecutive victories from 2023 onwards.
Results over the past few weeks have been mixed, but Paris-Roubaix is also a matter of technique and speciality. Judging from the three previous victories, the Dutchman certainly has that special something, although it’s yet to be seen whether he’ll be able to distance Pogačar on the Carrefour de l’Arbre.
Mathieu van der Poel
- Age: 31
- Roubaix participations: 5
- Best Roubaix performance: 1st (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Odds for victory: 15/8
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 12
- Wins in 2026: 4
- Classics wins in 2026: 2
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 60%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 2nd: Tour of Flanders
- 35th: In Flanders Fields
- 1st: E3 Saxo Classic
- 8th: Milan-San Remo
- 1st: Omloop Nieuwsblad
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
After picking up Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders, it’s now time for Tadej Pogačar to face the big one: Paris-Roubaix.
Since his successful debut at last year’s edition, he has been clear-cut in his Roubaix objective, even saying that he’d prefer this race win over a fifth Tour de France victory in July. He’s been over to northern France to recce the route on several occasions this year, and he’s made special preparations for this race.
Form is not a question for the World Champion. Pogačar is the only rider on the Paris-Roubaix start list with a 100% hit rate this year with three wins from three race starts (Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders). He’s coming into this race with the fewest amount of race days among the riders on this list, but that didn’t seem to be a problem last weekend at Flanders.
Tadej Pogačar
- Age: 27
- Roubaix participations: 1
- Best Roubaix performance: 2nd (2025)
- Odds for victory: 2/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 3
- Wins in 2026: 3
- Classics wins in 2026: 3
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 100%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 1st: Tour of Flanders
- 1st: Milan-San Remo
- 1st: Strade Bianche
Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Belgium’s Van Aert has a troubled history with Paris-Roubaix. Through the years, he’s often been on the wrong side of lady luck in this race, chiefly when he punctured on the Carrefour de l’Arbre in the 2023 edition. That said, he’s managed to finish on the podium on several occasions, culminating in a runners-up spot in 2022.
Van Aert has been slowly returning to that level of form again this year. Since his return to Strade Bianche, he’s been a regular fixture in the top ten at one-day races, including a fourth place at last week’s Tour of Flanders. There, the Belgian chased valiantly in pursuit, and bettered Pedersen in a fatigue-fueled sprint to the line.
The Belgian will benefit from a strong team on Sunday. Christophe Laporte has been in the top ten here, and Per Strand Hagenes has looked in great form this spring. Throw in Edoardo Affini and a more experienced Matthew Brennan than 2025, and Van Aert is in good company.
Wout van Aert
- Age: 31
- Roubaix participations: 6
- Best Roubaix performance: 2nd (2022)
- Odds for victory: 9/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 13
- Wins in 2026: 0
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 33%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 4th: Tour of Flanders
- 2nd: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 30th: In Flanders Fields
- 3rd: Milan-San Remo
- 10th: Strade Bianche
- 60th: Le Samyn
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
Like Van Aert, Pedersen has been close to glory at Paris-Roubaix. In the past two editions, the Dane finished in third place, often finishing in a reduced group in the Roubaix Velodrome. This year, he enters as Lidl-Trek’s leader alongside Jonathan Milan, who has a much patchier record when it comes to Paris-Roubaix.
Pedersen suffered an unfavourable start to the season at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, where he crashed out on the opening day. As a result of that injury, Pedersen has only competed in four Classics this year. While this isn’t near the same schedule as Van Aert or Van der Poel, the Dane hasn’t featured outside of the top ten yet, with a pair of top five finishes at Milan-San Remo and Tour of Flanders to his name.
The 2019 world champion is a real engine, which will come in handy on the pavé. If it comes down to a reduced sprint for second or third, his name will be in the mix for yet another podium finish.
Mads Pedersen
- Age: 30
- Roubaix participations: 8
- Best Roubaix performance: 3rd (2024, 2025)
- Odds for victory: 10/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 5
- Wins in 2026: 0
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 0%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 5th: Tour of Flanders
- 10th: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 9th: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- 4th: Milan-San Remo
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
Jasper Philipsen has a good relationship with Paris-Roubaix, which is relatively unusual for a thoroughbred sprinter like himself. While Van der Poel swanned away to victory in 2023 and 2024, Philipsen was left to pick up the silver medal on both occasions. Last year, he was dispensed with earlier, but the Belgian’s record in this race shouldn’t go unnoticed.
His recent form also seems to be picking up momentum. After losing out in bunch sprints at the Volta ao Algarve and Tirreno-Adriatico, Philipsen bounced back into form at Nokere Koerse, where he took his first victory of the season. This streak of fitness bled into the flatter Flemish Classics, where he tasted success at In Flanders Fields in a bunch sprint.
Philipsen is a bit of a wild card here, given that he has a much more proven leader in Van der Poel. That hasn’t stopped him from featuring on the final podium in the past however, and his involvement in the race should be closely monitored by Alpecin-Premier Tech’s rivals.
Jasper Philipsen
- Age: 28
- Roubaix participations: 5
- Best Roubaix performance: 2nd (2023, 2024)
- Odds for victory: 12/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 19
- Wins in 2026: 2
- Classics wins in 2026: 2
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 42%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 8th: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 1st: In Flanders Fields
- 2nd: Ronde van Brugge
- 69th: Milan-San Remo
- 1st: Nokere Koerse
- 18th: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- DNF: Omloop Nieuwsblad
Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers)
After skipping the Tour of Flanders, Filippo Ganna enters Paris-Roubaix with relatively competitive odds.
His previous performances in Roubaix have been decent, but the recent attention seems to be coming off the back of a strong Classics campaign in Belgium. There, the Italian pulled the peloton into the mix at In Flanders Fields. A few days later, he revved across to Van Aert to claim a first Classics win at Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Time-trial specialists have often gone well at Paris-Roubaix, the obvious example being three-time champ Fabian Cancellara. Ineos also have a strong lineup of riders, with similar TT merchant Josh Tarling and Ben Turner likely to be on the start line.
Filippo Ganna
- Age: 29
- Roubaix participations: 5
- Best Roubaix performance: 6th (2023)
- Odds for victory: 16/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 15
- Wins in 2026: 2
- Classics wins in 2026: 1
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 33%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 1st: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 34th: In Flanders Fields
- 33rd: Milan-San Remo
Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Pogačar’s teammate Florian Vermeersch will be a key player in Sunday’s proceedings. He’s a strong Classics rider, with a particular speciality in Paris-Roubaix, having finished second on debut in 2021.
The Belgian has been in good form recently as well, with more race days to his name than anyone else on this list. Vermeersch finished in seventh at last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, and he managed to finish on the podium of both Omloop and E3 when alleviated of Pogačar duties.
Vermeersch will likely be on strict orders to ride for Pogačar this weekend. That means he may end up performing a leadout onto key sectors, which could easily sap up his energy. Otherwise, he might be allowed the chance to sandbag in a chasing group, which could open the door to a sneaky podium finish or top five result.
Florian Vermeersch
- Age: 27
- Roubaix participations: 4
- Best Roubaix performance: 2nd (2021)
- Odds for victory: 22/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 21
- Wins in 2026: 0
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 22%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 7th: Tour of Flanders
- 55th: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 31st: In Flanders Fields
- 3rd: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- 15th: Ronde van Brugge
- 131st: Milan-San Remo
- 51st: Strade Bianche
- 54th: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- 3rd: Omloop Nieuwsblad
Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Christophe Laporte is the most experienced Roubaix racer on this list, with nine previous participations to his name. His best result is a sixth place in 2021, which is best remembered for his ad hoc foot brake. That’s where the Roubaix highlights come to an end, however, as the Frenchman has only placed inside the top ten on two occasions.
The bookies reckon a third top ten finish could be on the cards though, with Laporte looking in much better form. Rightly so, as the Frenchman returned to winning ways this winter after a year winless in 2025. Since then, he has been consistent in the mid to lower ranks of top ten. In fact, he has finished inside the top ten at every WorldTour cobbled Classic since the start of the year.
Laporte is a good rider, but I reckon it’s going to be all hands on deck for Van Aert on Sunday. He’s the more proven quantity in Paris-Roubaix.
Christophe Laporte
- Age: 33
- Roubaix participations: 9
- Best Roubaix performance: 6th (2021)
- Odds for victory: 33/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 13
- Wins in 2026: 1
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 14%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 9th: Tour of Flanders
- 7th: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 3rd: In Flanders Fields
- 7th: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- 16th: Milan-San Remo
- 30th: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- 4th: Omloop Nieuwsblad
Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
After Remco Evenepoel’s dig at the Tour of Flanders, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe returns to something of a free-for-all in the leadership department. Over half of the squad expected to line up on Sunday have finished inside the top ten of Paris-Roubaix in the past, including Jordi Meeus, Laurence Pithie and Mick van Dijke (if we forgive his relegation whoopsie in 2024).
In reality, the best option seems to be Gianni Vermeersch. The Belgian has been in good form this year, often performing as Red Bull’s best finisher when the race hasn’t ended up in a sprint. Furthermore, his best results seem to come in more attritional races, like E3, Strade Bianche or last weekend’s Tour of Flanders.
Vermeersch’s record at Paris-Roubaix is impressive. He’s finished inside the top 15 on three of his five attempts, including a top ten in 2024. Bear in mind, he was working on behalf of both Philipsen and Van der Poel at Alpecin-Premier Tech at those editions. Now on a different team, he won’t have to sacrifice his own race. In that case, he’s worth a punt for the top ten.
Gianni Vermeersch
- Age: 33
- Roubaix participations: 5
- Best Roubaix performance: 6th (2024)
- Odds for victory: 50/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 15
- Wins in 2026: 0
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 0%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 10th: Tour of Flanders
- 32nd: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 43rd: In Flanders Fields
- 8th: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- 29th: GP de Denain
- 100th: Nokere Koerse
- 5th: Strade Bianche
- 55th: Le Samyn
- 27th: Omloop Nieuwsblad
- 5th: Clásica Jaén
Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility)
Rounding out the bookies’ top ten is Uno-X Mobility’s Jonas Abrahamsen. Somewhat of a fan favourite, he’s been picking up strong results over the past few years, and we’d expect Paris-Roubaix to be the best suited Monument for his rouleur skillset.
The Norwegian’s form has been hot and cold as of late. He picked up a pair of top tens on the E3 and In Flanders Fields weekend, but there’s not much else to show for his Classics campaign.
Abrahamsen’s odds are very short for a man who has only ever finished this race once. Even then, he was 27th on the day, so nowhere near the pointy end of the race. That said, I reckon Abrahamsen could be in the mix for a top ten if he goes in the break and hangs onto the leading group of favourites upon recapture.
Jonas Abrahamsen
- Age: 30
- Roubaix participations: 2
- Best Roubaix performance: 27th (2024)
- Odds for victory: 100/1
2026 results
- Race days in 2026: 15
- Wins in 2026: 0
- Classics wins in 2026: 0
- Classics podium rate in 2026: 0%
2026 Classics results (in order of most recent)
- 26th: Tour of Flanders
- 41st: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- 9th: In Flanders Fields
- 5th: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- 24th: Milan-San Remo
- 69th: Milano-Torino
- 32nd: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- 17th: Omloop Nieuwsblad