{"id":1874686,"date":"2026-04-09T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1874686"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:00:00","slug":"paris-roubaix-tech-predictions-2026-what-we-expect-to-see-in-the-pits-at-the-queen-of-the-classics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1874686","title":{"rendered":"Paris-Roubaix tech predictions 2026: What we expect to see in the pits at the Queen of the Classics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Tech &amp; Components\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix tech predictions 2026: What we expect to see in the pits at the Queen of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-09T11:00:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Roubaix tech playbook is pretty well rehearsed by now, but there\u2019s always scope for going off-script<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0\">Paris-Roubaix is nearly upon us, and for bike tech nerds, it\u2019s arguably the biggest race of the year, surpassing the Tour de France in terms of innovations of interest, and perhaps is only rivalled by the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (or the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, to give it its new name) in terms of cool things to see.<\/p>\n<p>This year will be my third in a row covering the Hell of the North, and the previous two years have definitely seen some well-established trends. Aero bikes are now the norm, and while the days of dedicated Roubaix bikes are behind us, thanks to the advent of disc brakes allowing wider tyre clearances, advances in our understanding of rolling resistance have seen some teams buck this trend and opt for endurance or even gravel bikes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Based on a combination of previous experience and the rumour mill, the predictions I think are a mix of safe bets and a few outlandish ones at the bottom, primarily so that if they come to pass, I look like some sort of cobble-oracle.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Conquering the cobbles \u2013 A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel debuts the unreleased Canyon Endurace at E3 \u2013 What does this mean for the Paris-Roubaix arms race?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;A mishap leading to a broken frame 100% will put them out of contention\u2019 &#8211; Modern Adventure to ride Paris-Roubaix on Factor&#8217;s amateur-focused race bike<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"wider-tyres-everywhere-3\">Wider tyres everywhere<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0735423-aaf5-4cf3-baf4-fb5025982837\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ddca908c-9925-40e8-9b30-fbd7c3a8c87b\">This is hardly breaking news, but tyres have been getting wider every season over the past several years, both in normal road races and on the cobbles. Plenty of riders are running 30mm tyres as standard now, and on the cobbles, the most common size last year was 32mm, which happened to be the largest size that Continental offered in the GP5000 S TR, and Vittoria offered in the Corsa Pro, the most common race tyres in the bunch. Fred Wright was spotted in 2024 using 35mm GP5000 AS TR tyres, but he was in the minority.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Continental has launched a 35mm variant of the GP5000 S TR, which was the fastest non-time trial tyre we tested in a recent lab test, and so I expect anyone who can cram it into their frames will be doing so.<\/p>\n<p>Vittoria now offers the Corsa Pro Control, a slightly slower and slightly more durable offering than the standard Corsa Pro in sizes up to a UCI-illegal 42mm, but I don\u2019t expect Visma &#8211; Lease a Bike et al to be running these, despite my Visma-related predictions at the end of this article.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll have to read our separate story to find out what the widest tyre we expect to see is.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"1x-everywhere-except-for-alpecin-3\">1x everywhere, except for Alpecin<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-406ecc8d-605e-4000-a1b1-5b3b0cfd6d2b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f19391c6-6dad-442b-b527-06de50df3fd4\">Last year, a great many teams, Shimano-sponsored or SRAM, ran 1x systems. A single front chainring is more aerodynamic, lighter, and given the flat course, the additional range of a smaller inner ring is essentially surplus to requirement. More than that, though, the front derailleur is often more of a rate limiter in terms of tyre capacity than the rear triangle of the frame, and so ditching it altogether allows teams to bolster their tyres up to 35mm and possibly beyond.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d be absolutely shocked if any SRAM teams run 2x, especially as last year Lidl-Trek modded their 13sp gravel groupsets to make them 12sp to reduce the gear range even further. Shimano teams technically don\u2019t have a native 1x system available, but they often get around this by using bigger chainrings than Shimano produces, freeing them from sponsor obligations. Tellingly, we saw Tadej Poga\u010dar run a 1x setup for the first time when he took the victory at Milan-San Remo a few weeks ago. This can only be a dry run for Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Oddly, I suspect the other big team in terms of contention for the overall victory, Alpecin-Premier Tech, will stick to a 2x setup. The vibe of the team is a lot more old school, and more than that, we\u2019ve seen Mathieu van der Poel doggedly refusing to fit narrower bars and adopt modern trends to get more aero. He won the last two editions of the race on a 2x setup, as well as all of his other professional victories, so why change now, eh?<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has overhauled his cobbles setup in bid for Paris-Roubaix glory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where have all the slammed pro bike handlebars gone?! &#8211; Five tech trends from Opening Weekend<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-will-use-his-old-bike-3\">Mathieu van der Poel will use his old bike<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-708560fd-fef5-41b2-9a30-35b813349bbd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1716ac2b-2503-4717-8fe1-18b4a4f3773f\">On the subject of being change-averse, I suspect the Flying Dutchman will opt to use his normal Canyon Aeroad, despite having access to the new Canyon Endurace, which appears to have been designed at great expense to be almost exactly the same as the Aeroad, but with capacity for slightly wider tyres; in other words, a Paris-Roubaix bike.<\/p>\n<p>His aforementioned traditionalism, coupled with the fact that he won the last three editions on the Aeroad and <em>just<\/em> escaped the chase at E3 before being caught at the death at Ghent-Wevelgem, means he will probably stick with what he knows best.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps most tellingly, having trialled the new Endurace at a few minor races, he was back aboard the Aeroad for Flanders, so I think it\u2019ll only be the strong arm of a sponsor that\u2019ll get him back on the new machine on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-glued-on-tyres-3\">More glued on tyres<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4d5bafaf-21e5-461f-90fb-bafb18f11b8b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c3d6bd4d-3f1b-4f94-bb33-5cd9995f4e74\">No, I don\u2019t mean we\u2019re going back to tubs, don\u2019t panic. Last year, I spotted the Visma mechanics had been glueing their tubeless tyres onto the rims of the mini-hooked Reserve wheels as an extra safety measure in the event of a sudden blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Wheels failing at Roubaix is not new, and while there have been some very high-profile disasters (including Visma\u2019s own Wout van Aert suffering a rim folding in half in 2022 on hooked Shimano wheels), but it does seem that even with tyre inserts installed there\u2019s little that can be done to stop tyre and rim parting company in the event of a sudden, catastrophic blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe it\u2019s overkill, but I wouldn\u2019t be at all surprised to see other teams picking up this hack, especially those using hookless rims.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-hacked-sram-derailleurs-3\">More hacked SRAM derailleurs<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-accd8a92-328e-4980-9e70-43b4e7d8d1fe\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8fa4cc1b-4462-4c25-a443-61205aeda9b5\">The big tech story of last year\u2019s race was the Lidl-Trek mechanics adding an additional limit screw to the team\u2019s SRAM Red XPLR gravel derailleurs to allow the riders to run the tightly grouped 12sp Red road cassettes. On the face of it, it looked somewhat agricultural, but as the saying goes, <em>if it looks stupid but it works, then it ain\u2019t stupid<\/em>. The hack was, from what I can gather, also sanctioned by SRAM itself rather than a rogue bodge, and as such, I suspect there will be other SRAM teams clamouring to be let loose with the drill and tap combo from the little-used corner of the mechanic\u2019s truck.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-aero-hacks-3\">More aero hacks<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e5c3e81-3409-4a0a-a34d-6ecf2df7c9ef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Soccrates Images\u00a0\/\u00a0Contributor)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-655c0216-d9c8-4abb-b354-98f613eb1601\">The rough cobbles take almost all of the column inches, but this belies the fact that the race is almost entirely flat, often windy, and extremely fast, making it a prime place to eke out aero advantages.<\/p>\n<p>Using aero bikes has become <em>de rigueur<\/em>, and no longer offers the surprise advantage it did years ago when Matt Hayman took his famous victory aboard an aero bike. Now we\u2019re seeing the most marginal of gains being utilised. Remco Evenepoel, though not in attendance on Sunday, used aero arm warmers at Flanders, while Wout van Aert, who very much will be, uses lace-up shoes and even went to the trouble of adding a rubberised lace cover to make his feet even more slippery.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at Poga\u010dar, however, who seems to have totally overhauled his Roubaix setup in testing from the V5Rs to the Y1Rs, has been opting for a less aero, more sturdy computer mount. On the whole, the setup looks drastically more aerodynamic than the previous year.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"visma-men-will-use-gravel-bikes-but-not-the-women-3\">Visma men will use gravel bikes, but not the women<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5ad2a3a3-e2aa-45bb-b1c7-d6e336bb305e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Cervelo)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48ae1aa4-c2f2-4a12-87d3-230bb62adaa3\">Ok, this is my head above the parapet, but I think Visma\u2019s male riders will be the first to use a gravel bike and still be in contention for the overall, or at the very least have some riders still at the pointy end of the race, rather than Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s use of the Factor Ostro Gravel in 2024 that felt more like a publicity stunt as they still used pretty skinny tyres thanks to the front derailleur.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my reasoning: Last year, the Visma women did their recon on the aero S5 and raced aboard the Aero S5. That I don\u2019t think will change. The men, however, did recon on the S5 and then opted to race on the Soloist, despite \u2018only\u2019 using 32mm tyres, which would have fit inside the S5. This means it\u2019s not the tyre capacity of the soloist they\u2019re after, but the geometry, compliance of the frame, fork and cockpit, or a combination of both.<\/p>\n<p>Since last year\u2019s race, Cerv\u00e9lo has come out with the new Aspero-5, nominally a gravel bike, but it looks very much like a cobble-munching S5 to my eyes. From a visual aerodynamic assessment, it looks more aero than the Soloist, and as I assume whatever stopped the men racing aboard the S5 last year will also stop them this year (probably because it\u2019d be a brutal bike to ride over the cobbles), then I think the team will opt for the more aero but gravel option of the Aspero-5. Despite this, I think they\u2019ll still run 32c tyres, rather than the larger but slower Corsa Pro Control models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Tech<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Will Jones<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior Tech Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He\u2019s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He\u2019s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn\u2019t ever ride indoors he\u2019s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Conquering the cobbles \u2013 A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel debuts the unreleased Canyon Endurace at E3 \u2013 What does this mean for the Paris-Roubaix arms race?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A mishap leading to a broken frame 100% will put them out of contention\u2019 &#8211; Modern Adventure to ride Paris-Roubaix on Factor&#8217;s amateur-focused race bike<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has overhauled his cobbles setup in bid for Paris-Roubaix glory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where have all the slammed pro bike handlebars gone?! &#8211; Five tech trends from Opening Weekend<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Parcours claims its new Vibracore vibration-damping wheel tech is equivalent to a 10-15 PSI drop in tyre pressure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Mike&#8217;s Bikes &#8216;Mega Sale&#8217; is on and these are some of the best cycling deals we&#8217;ve found \u2013 but be quick, it ends soon<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Amazon Spring Sale has less than 24 hours to go, and a host of great Garmin tech has discounts of up to 29%<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Smart Trainers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t miss out &#8211; The Zwift Spring Sale ends very soon, here are the best remaining deals on the Zwift Ride Smart Frame, with up to 27% off<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vittoria T60 PRO Mixed Gravel Race tyre review: A unique looking gravel race tyre optimised for tough conditions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Behold the &#8216;chopped aero speed shape&#8217; &#8211; Roval&#8217;s new gravel wheels are certainly a departure from the norm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cat Ferguson&#8217;s Spring Classics column: Tour of Flanders is the toughest, most powerful race on the calendar, and that is felt in every pedal stroke<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix \u2013 The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s chances<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I love how much you can push on a climb&#8217; &#8211; A Hot Wheels two-wheeler and mountain bike descents lead young Brazilian Henrique Bravo to first UCI win at age 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Tadej Poga\u010dar turns Tour of Flanders into a torture-fest as Remco Evenepoel silences critics<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A mud-bath, an over-inflated spare tyre, and a domestique holding the cobblestone trophy \u2013 Servais Knaven relives his iconic Paris-Roubaix victory 25 years on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">An open field full of contenders, from former winners to worthy wildcards \u2013 Analysing the favourites for Paris-Roubaix Femmes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The new Canyon Endurace CFR has been designed with a single purpose in mind: &#8216;Get to Roubaix fastest&#8217; <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot to race Paris-Roubaix Femmes alongside Marianne Vos in last-minute programme change<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Parcours claims its new Vibracore vibration-damping wheel tech is equivalent to a 10-15 PSI drop in tyre pressure<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Tech &amp; Components\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix tech predictions 2026: What we expect to see in the pits at the Queen of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-09T11:00:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Roubaix tech playbook is pretty well rehearsed by now, but there\u2019s always scope for going off-script<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0\">Paris-Roubaix is nearly upon us, and for bike tech nerds, it\u2019s arguably the biggest race of the year, surpassing the Tour de France in terms of innovations of interest, and perhaps is only rivalled by the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (or the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, to give it its new name) in terms of cool things to see.<\/p>\n<p>This year will be my third in a row covering the Hell of the North, and the previous two years have definitely seen some well-established trends. Aero bikes are now the norm, and while the days of dedicated Roubaix bikes are behind us, thanks to the advent of disc brakes allowing wider tyre clearances, advances in our understanding of rolling resistance have seen some teams buck this trend and opt for endurance or even gravel bikes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Based on a combination of previous experience and the rumour mill, the predictions I think are a mix of safe bets and a few outlandish ones at the bottom, primarily so that if they come to pass, I look like some sort of cobble-oracle.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Conquering the cobbles \u2013 A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel debuts the unreleased Canyon Endurace at E3 \u2013 What does this mean for the Paris-Roubaix arms race?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;A mishap leading to a broken frame 100% will put them out of contention\u2019 &#8211; Modern Adventure to ride Paris-Roubaix on Factor&#8217;s amateur-focused race bike<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"wider-tyres-everywhere-3\">Wider tyres everywhere<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0735423-aaf5-4cf3-baf4-fb5025982837\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ddca908c-9925-40e8-9b30-fbd7c3a8c87b\">This is hardly breaking news, but tyres have been getting wider every season over the past several years, both in normal road races and on the cobbles. Plenty of riders are running 30mm tyres as standard now, and on the cobbles, the most common size last year was 32mm, which happened to be the largest size that Continental offered in the GP5000 S TR, and Vittoria offered in the Corsa Pro, the most common race tyres in the bunch. Fred Wright was spotted in 2024 using 35mm GP5000 AS TR tyres, but he was in the minority.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Continental has launched a 35mm variant of the GP5000 S TR, which was the fastest non-time trial tyre we tested in a recent lab test, and so I expect anyone who can cram it into their frames will be doing so.<\/p>\n<p>Vittoria now offers the Corsa Pro Control, a slightly slower and slightly more durable offering than the standard Corsa Pro in sizes up to a UCI-illegal 42mm, but I don\u2019t expect Visma &#8211; Lease a Bike et al to be running these, despite my Visma-related predictions at the end of this article.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll have to read our separate story to find out what the widest tyre we expect to see is.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"1x-everywhere-except-for-alpecin-3\">1x everywhere, except for Alpecin<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-406ecc8d-605e-4000-a1b1-5b3b0cfd6d2b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f19391c6-6dad-442b-b527-06de50df3fd4\">Last year, a great many teams, Shimano-sponsored or SRAM, ran 1x systems. A single front chainring is more aerodynamic, lighter, and given the flat course, the additional range of a smaller inner ring is essentially surplus to requirement. More than that, though, the front derailleur is often more of a rate limiter in terms of tyre capacity than the rear triangle of the frame, and so ditching it altogether allows teams to bolster their tyres up to 35mm and possibly beyond.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d be absolutely shocked if any SRAM teams run 2x, especially as last year Lidl-Trek modded their 13sp gravel groupsets to make them 12sp to reduce the gear range even further. Shimano teams technically don\u2019t have a native 1x system available, but they often get around this by using bigger chainrings than Shimano produces, freeing them from sponsor obligations. Tellingly, we saw Tadej Poga\u010dar run a 1x setup for the first time when he took the victory at Milan-San Remo a few weeks ago. This can only be a dry run for Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Oddly, I suspect the other big team in terms of contention for the overall victory, Alpecin-Premier Tech, will stick to a 2x setup. The vibe of the team is a lot more old school, and more than that, we\u2019ve seen Mathieu van der Poel doggedly refusing to fit narrower bars and adopt modern trends to get more aero. He won the last two editions of the race on a 2x setup, as well as all of his other professional victories, so why change now, eh?<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has overhauled his cobbles setup in bid for Paris-Roubaix glory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where have all the slammed pro bike handlebars gone?! &#8211; Five tech trends from Opening Weekend<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-will-use-his-old-bike-3\">Mathieu van der Poel will use his old bike<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-708560fd-fef5-41b2-9a30-35b813349bbd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1716ac2b-2503-4717-8fe1-18b4a4f3773f\">On the subject of being change-averse, I suspect the Flying Dutchman will opt to use his normal Canyon Aeroad, despite having access to the new Canyon Endurace, which appears to have been designed at great expense to be almost exactly the same as the Aeroad, but with capacity for slightly wider tyres; in other words, a Paris-Roubaix bike.<\/p>\n<p>His aforementioned traditionalism, coupled with the fact that he won the last three editions on the Aeroad and <em>just<\/em> escaped the chase at E3 before being caught at the death at Ghent-Wevelgem, means he will probably stick with what he knows best.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps most tellingly, having trialled the new Endurace at a few minor races, he was back aboard the Aeroad for Flanders, so I think it\u2019ll only be the strong arm of a sponsor that\u2019ll get him back on the new machine on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-glued-on-tyres-3\">More glued on tyres<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4d5bafaf-21e5-461f-90fb-bafb18f11b8b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c3d6bd4d-3f1b-4f94-bb33-5cd9995f4e74\">No, I don\u2019t mean we\u2019re going back to tubs, don\u2019t panic. Last year, I spotted the Visma mechanics had been glueing their tubeless tyres onto the rims of the mini-hooked Reserve wheels as an extra safety measure in the event of a sudden blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Wheels failing at Roubaix is not new, and while there have been some very high-profile disasters (including Visma\u2019s own Wout van Aert suffering a rim folding in half in 2022 on hooked Shimano wheels), but it does seem that even with tyre inserts installed there\u2019s little that can be done to stop tyre and rim parting company in the event of a sudden, catastrophic blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe it\u2019s overkill, but I wouldn\u2019t be at all surprised to see other teams picking up this hack, especially those using hookless rims.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-hacked-sram-derailleurs-3\">More hacked SRAM derailleurs<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-accd8a92-328e-4980-9e70-43b4e7d8d1fe\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8fa4cc1b-4462-4c25-a443-61205aeda9b5\">The big tech story of last year\u2019s race was the Lidl-Trek mechanics adding an additional limit screw to the team\u2019s SRAM Red XPLR gravel derailleurs to allow the riders to run the tightly grouped 12sp Red road cassettes. On the face of it, it looked somewhat agricultural, but as the saying goes, <em>if it looks stupid but it works, then it ain\u2019t stupid<\/em>. The hack was, from what I can gather, also sanctioned by SRAM itself rather than a rogue bodge, and as such, I suspect there will be other SRAM teams clamouring to be let loose with the drill and tap combo from the little-used corner of the mechanic\u2019s truck.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-aero-hacks-3\">More aero hacks<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e5c3e81-3409-4a0a-a34d-6ecf2df7c9ef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Soccrates Images\u00a0\/\u00a0Contributor)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-655c0216-d9c8-4abb-b354-98f613eb1601\">The rough cobbles take almost all of the column inches, but this belies the fact that the race is almost entirely flat, often windy, and extremely fast, making it a prime place to eke out aero advantages.<\/p>\n<p>Using aero bikes has become <em>de rigueur<\/em>, and no longer offers the surprise advantage it did years ago when Matt Hayman took his famous victory aboard an aero bike. Now we\u2019re seeing the most marginal of gains being utilised. Remco Evenepoel, though not in attendance on Sunday, used aero arm warmers at Flanders, while Wout van Aert, who very much will be, uses lace-up shoes and even went to the trouble of adding a rubberised lace cover to make his feet even more slippery.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at Poga\u010dar, however, who seems to have totally overhauled his Roubaix setup in testing from the V5Rs to the Y1Rs, has been opting for a less aero, more sturdy computer mount. On the whole, the setup looks drastically more aerodynamic than the previous year.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"visma-men-will-use-gravel-bikes-but-not-the-women-3\">Visma men will use gravel bikes, but not the women<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5ad2a3a3-e2aa-45bb-b1c7-d6e336bb305e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Cervelo)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48ae1aa4-c2f2-4a12-87d3-230bb62adaa3\">Ok, this is my head above the parapet, but I think Visma\u2019s male riders will be the first to use a gravel bike and still be in contention for the overall, or at the very least have some riders still at the pointy end of the race, rather than Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s use of the Factor Ostro Gravel in 2024 that felt more like a publicity stunt as they still used pretty skinny tyres thanks to the front derailleur.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my reasoning: Last year, the Visma women did their recon on the aero S5 and raced aboard the Aero S5. That I don\u2019t think will change. The men, however, did recon on the S5 and then opted to race on the Soloist, despite \u2018only\u2019 using 32mm tyres, which would have fit inside the S5. This means it\u2019s not the tyre capacity of the soloist they\u2019re after, but the geometry, compliance of the frame, fork and cockpit, or a combination of both.<\/p>\n<p>Since last year\u2019s race, Cerv\u00e9lo has come out with the new Aspero-5, nominally a gravel bike, but it looks very much like a cobble-munching S5 to my eyes. From a visual aerodynamic assessment, it looks more aero than the Soloist, and as I assume whatever stopped the men racing aboard the S5 last year will also stop them this year (probably because it\u2019d be a brutal bike to ride over the cobbles), then I think the team will opt for the more aero but gravel option of the Aspero-5. Despite this, I think they\u2019ll still run 32c tyres, rather than the larger but slower Corsa Pro Control models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Tech<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Will Jones<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior Tech Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He\u2019s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He\u2019s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn\u2019t ever ride indoors he\u2019s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Conquering the cobbles \u2013 A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel debuts the unreleased Canyon Endurace at E3 \u2013 What does this mean for the Paris-Roubaix arms race?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A mishap leading to a broken frame 100% will put them out of contention\u2019 &#8211; Modern Adventure to ride Paris-Roubaix on Factor&#8217;s amateur-focused race bike<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has overhauled his cobbles setup in bid for Paris-Roubaix glory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where have all the slammed pro bike handlebars gone?! &#8211; Five tech trends from Opening Weekend<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fbAdDQyZegtwfQmqUSJdDB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Parcours claims its new Vibracore vibration-damping wheel tech is equivalent to a 10-15 PSI drop in tyre pressure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YvKu49KFoBktncBYdwiqMa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Mike&#8217;s Bikes &#8216;Mega Sale&#8217; is on and these are some of the best cycling deals we&#8217;ve found \u2013 but be quick, it ends soon<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97r2pXLNFx4wxxZk3Wpu7U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Amazon Spring Sale has less than 24 hours to go, and a host of great Garmin tech has discounts of up to 29%<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hy6TZTzGeHagEBBPbPvmRg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Smart Trainers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t miss out &#8211; The Zwift Spring Sale ends very soon, here are the best remaining deals on the Zwift Ride Smart Frame, with up to 27% off<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TUyQaGeEfmN9bvPWXe87oV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vittoria T60 PRO Mixed Gravel Race tyre review: A unique looking gravel race tyre optimised for tough conditions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZkLb24dY6WvjvMDtZDmi76-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Behold the &#8216;chopped aero speed shape&#8217; &#8211; Roval&#8217;s new gravel wheels are certainly a departure from the norm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EX4hRi9pXrjGizQoJjHMYc-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cat Ferguson&#8217;s Spring Classics column: Tour of Flanders is the toughest, most powerful race on the calendar, and that is felt in every pedal stroke<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aWp3CcerQq6gptxa76AMjF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix \u2013 The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s chances<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vNpespyv3oAsYb5KgUEk9b-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I love how much you can push on a climb&#8217; &#8211; A Hot Wheels two-wheeler and mountain bike descents lead young Brazilian Henrique Bravo to first UCI win at age 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KiVa7oUDmqAuyQjJXbm4c-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Tadej Poga\u010dar turns Tour of Flanders into a torture-fest as Remco Evenepoel silences critics<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJBdrHxRz8WKjcmH8AGKsG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A mud-bath, an over-inflated spare tyre, and a domestique holding the cobblestone trophy \u2013 Servais Knaven relives his iconic Paris-Roubaix victory 25 years on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5dV9ag3NjDDs3E9DBZ8zyY.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The few races I\u2019ve done so far have gone perfectly&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar chases Monument set at &#8216;his ultimate test&#8217; Paris-Roubaix<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">An open field full of contenders, from former winners to worthy wildcards \u2013 Analysing the favourites for Paris-Roubaix Femmes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The new Canyon Endurace CFR has been designed with a single purpose in mind: &#8216;Get to Roubaix fastest&#8217; <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot to race Paris-Roubaix Femmes alongside Marianne Vos in last-minute programme change<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Parcours claims its new Vibracore vibration-damping wheel tech is equivalent to a 10-15 PSI drop in tyre pressure<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Tech &amp; Components\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Paris-Roubaix tech predictions 2026: What we expect to see in the pits at the Queen of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-09T11:00:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Roubaix tech playbook is pretty well rehearsed by now, but there\u2019s always scope for going off-script<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0\">Paris-Roubaix is nearly upon us, and for bike tech nerds, it\u2019s arguably the biggest race of the year, surpassing the Tour de France in terms of innovations of interest, and perhaps is only rivalled by the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (or the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, to give it its new name) in terms of cool things to see.<\/p>\n<p>This year will be my third in a row covering the Hell of the North, and the previous two years have definitely seen some well-established trends. Aero bikes are now the norm, and while the days of dedicated Roubaix bikes are behind us, thanks to the advent of disc brakes allowing wider tyre clearances, advances in our understanding of rolling resistance have seen some teams buck this trend and opt for endurance or even gravel bikes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-41a39ad2-7f7c-44f3-921e-6ac23bedd8f0-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Based on a combination of previous experience and the rumour mill, the predictions I think are a mix of safe bets and a few outlandish ones at the bottom, primarily so that if they come to pass, I look like some sort of cobble-oracle.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AhitWYzxYLQUpDw3GhKfME-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Conquering the cobbles \u2013 A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbxaAEosMNc8HUT3dVYL6P-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel debuts the unreleased Canyon Endurace at E3 \u2013 What does this mean for the Paris-Roubaix arms race?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39FojseRRDnrh7DMBHxJm8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;A mishap leading to a broken frame 100% will put them out of contention\u2019 &#8211; Modern Adventure to ride Paris-Roubaix on Factor&#8217;s amateur-focused race bike<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"wider-tyres-everywhere-3\">Wider tyres everywhere<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a0735423-aaf5-4cf3-baf4-fb5025982837\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tTZbNsm2FpSENNg758V6cD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ddca908c-9925-40e8-9b30-fbd7c3a8c87b\">This is hardly breaking news, but tyres have been getting wider every season over the past several years, both in normal road races and on the cobbles. Plenty of riders are running 30mm tyres as standard now, and on the cobbles, the most common size last year was 32mm, which happened to be the largest size that Continental offered in the GP5000 S TR, and Vittoria offered in the Corsa Pro, the most common race tyres in the bunch. Fred Wright was spotted in 2024 using 35mm GP5000 AS TR tyres, but he was in the minority.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Continental has launched a 35mm variant of the GP5000 S TR, which was the fastest non-time trial tyre we tested in a recent lab test, and so I expect anyone who can cram it into their frames will be doing so.<\/p>\n<p>Vittoria now offers the Corsa Pro Control, a slightly slower and slightly more durable offering than the standard Corsa Pro in sizes up to a UCI-illegal 42mm, but I don\u2019t expect Visma &#8211; Lease a Bike et al to be running these, despite my Visma-related predictions at the end of this article.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll have to read our separate story to find out what the widest tyre we expect to see is.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-i5FwRrPhsBsagRsu29JSX slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"1x-everywhere-except-for-alpecin-3\">1x everywhere, except for Alpecin<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-406ecc8d-605e-4000-a1b1-5b3b0cfd6d2b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RhnMMdwuiQLhrAGB3AeJvm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f19391c6-6dad-442b-b527-06de50df3fd4\">Last year, a great many teams, Shimano-sponsored or SRAM, ran 1x systems. A single front chainring is more aerodynamic, lighter, and given the flat course, the additional range of a smaller inner ring is essentially surplus to requirement. More than that, though, the front derailleur is often more of a rate limiter in terms of tyre capacity than the rear triangle of the frame, and so ditching it altogether allows teams to bolster their tyres up to 35mm and possibly beyond.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d be absolutely shocked if any SRAM teams run 2x, especially as last year Lidl-Trek modded their 13sp gravel groupsets to make them 12sp to reduce the gear range even further. Shimano teams technically don\u2019t have a native 1x system available, but they often get around this by using bigger chainrings than Shimano produces, freeing them from sponsor obligations. Tellingly, we saw Tadej Poga\u010dar run a 1x setup for the first time when he took the victory at Milan-San Remo a few weeks ago. This can only be a dry run for Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p>Oddly, I suspect the other big team in terms of contention for the overall victory, Alpecin-Premier Tech, will stick to a 2x setup. The vibe of the team is a lot more old school, and more than that, we\u2019ve seen Mathieu van der Poel doggedly refusing to fit narrower bars and adopt modern trends to get more aero. He won the last two editions of the race on a 2x setup, as well as all of his other professional victories, so why change now, eh?<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYgRf6jWL6dK9yDrtbRork-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has overhauled his cobbles setup in bid for Paris-Roubaix glory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qAGbEUbnEgxn5SqFtp9gPT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where have all the slammed pro bike handlebars gone?! &#8211; Five tech trends from Opening Weekend<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"mathieu-van-der-poel-will-use-his-old-bike-3\">Mathieu van der Poel will use his old bike<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-708560fd-fef5-41b2-9a30-35b813349bbd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zfpcT6aRVC6gjXHVroHxn6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1716ac2b-2503-4717-8fe1-18b4a4f3773f\">On the subject of being change-averse, I suspect the Flying Dutchman will opt to use his normal Canyon Aeroad, despite having access to the new Canyon Endurace, which appears to have been designed at great expense to be almost exactly the same as the Aeroad, but with capacity for slightly wider tyres; in other words, a Paris-Roubaix bike.<\/p>\n<p>His aforementioned traditionalism, coupled with the fact that he won the last three editions on the Aeroad and <em>just<\/em> escaped the chase at E3 before being caught at the death at Ghent-Wevelgem, means he will probably stick with what he knows best.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps most tellingly, having trialled the new Endurace at a few minor races, he was back aboard the Aeroad for Flanders, so I think it\u2019ll only be the strong arm of a sponsor that\u2019ll get him back on the new machine on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-glued-on-tyres-3\">More glued on tyres<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4d5bafaf-21e5-461f-90fb-bafb18f11b8b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmEba4UQ2dZokemeqTdB2g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c3d6bd4d-3f1b-4f94-bb33-5cd9995f4e74\">No, I don\u2019t mean we\u2019re going back to tubs, don\u2019t panic. Last year, I spotted the Visma mechanics had been glueing their tubeless tyres onto the rims of the mini-hooked Reserve wheels as an extra safety measure in the event of a sudden blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Wheels failing at Roubaix is not new, and while there have been some very high-profile disasters (including Visma\u2019s own Wout van Aert suffering a rim folding in half in 2022 on hooked Shimano wheels), but it does seem that even with tyre inserts installed there\u2019s little that can be done to stop tyre and rim parting company in the event of a sudden, catastrophic blowout.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe it\u2019s overkill, but I wouldn\u2019t be at all surprised to see other teams picking up this hack, especially those using hookless rims.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-hacked-sram-derailleurs-3\">More hacked SRAM derailleurs<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-accd8a92-328e-4980-9e70-43b4e7d8d1fe\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uXYBjHbTpokFSt4qF3CozR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8fa4cc1b-4462-4c25-a443-61205aeda9b5\">The big tech story of last year\u2019s race was the Lidl-Trek mechanics adding an additional limit screw to the team\u2019s SRAM Red XPLR gravel derailleurs to allow the riders to run the tightly grouped 12sp Red road cassettes. On the face of it, it looked somewhat agricultural, but as the saying goes, <em>if it looks stupid but it works, then it ain\u2019t stupid<\/em>. The hack was, from what I can gather, also sanctioned by SRAM itself rather than a rogue bodge, and as such, I suspect there will be other SRAM teams clamouring to be let loose with the drill and tap combo from the little-used corner of the mechanic\u2019s truck.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-aero-hacks-3\">More aero hacks<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e5c3e81-3409-4a0a-a34d-6ecf2df7c9ef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hCRAa6QuXGQmQmPcs28chZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Soccrates Images\u00a0\/\u00a0Contributor)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-655c0216-d9c8-4abb-b354-98f613eb1601\">The rough cobbles take almost all of the column inches, but this belies the fact that the race is almost entirely flat, often windy, and extremely fast, making it a prime place to eke out aero advantages.<\/p>\n<p>Using aero bikes has become <em>de rigueur<\/em>, and no longer offers the surprise advantage it did years ago when Matt Hayman took his famous victory aboard an aero bike. Now we\u2019re seeing the most marginal of gains being utilised. Remco Evenepoel, though not in attendance on Sunday, used aero arm warmers at Flanders, while Wout van Aert, who very much will be, uses lace-up shoes and even went to the trouble of adding a rubberised lace cover to make his feet even more slippery.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at Poga\u010dar, however, who seems to have totally overhauled his Roubaix setup in testing from the V5Rs to the Y1Rs, has been opting for a less aero, more sturdy computer mount. On the whole, the setup looks drastically more aerodynamic than the previous year.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"visma-men-will-use-gravel-bikes-but-not-the-women-3\">Visma men will use gravel bikes, but not the women<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5ad2a3a3-e2aa-45bb-b1c7-d6e336bb305e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X6aj59EVYNPkum9vmGAyYa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Cervelo)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48ae1aa4-c2f2-4a12-87d3-230bb62adaa3\">Ok, this is my head above the parapet, but I think Visma\u2019s male riders will be the first to use a gravel bike and still be in contention for the overall, or at the very least have some riders still at the pointy end of the race, rather than Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s use of the Factor Ostro Gravel in 2024 that felt more like a publicity stunt as they still used pretty skinny tyres thanks to the front derailleur.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my reasoning: Last year, the Visma women did their recon on the aero S5 and raced aboard the Aero S5. That I don\u2019t think will change. The men, however, did recon on the S5 and then opted to race on the Soloist, despite \u2018only\u2019 using 32mm tyres, which would have fit inside the S5. This means it\u2019s not the tyre capacity of the soloist they\u2019re after, but the geometry, compliance of the frame, fork and cockpit, or a combination of both.<\/p>\n<p>Since last year\u2019s race, Cerv\u00e9lo has come out with the new Aspero-5, nominally a gravel bike, but it looks very much like a cobble-munching S5 to my eyes. From a visual aerodynamic assessment, it looks more aero than the Soloist, and as I assume whatever stopped the men racing aboard the S5 last year will also stop them this year (probably because it\u2019d be a brutal bike to ride over the cobbles), then I think the team will opt for the more aero but gravel option of the Aspero-5. Despite this, I think they\u2019ll still run 32c tyres, rather than the larger but slower Corsa Pro Control models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/cycling-tech-components\/paris-roubaix-tech-predictions-2026-what-we-expect-to-see-in-the-pits-at-the-queen-of-the-classics\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ndf7K7MFJsnbr736yhQ64N-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Cycling Tech &amp; Components Paris-Roubaix tech predictions 2026: What we expect to see in the pits at the Queen of the Classics Features By Will Jones published 9 April 2026 The Roubaix tech playbook is pretty well rehearsed by now, but there\u2019s always scope for going off-script When you purchase through links [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1874686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1874686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1874686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1874686\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1874686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1874686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1874686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}