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Tadej Pogačar is set to make history at Paris-Roubaix 2024, becoming the first reigning Tour de France champion to take on the brutal cobblestones of the “Hell of the North” since Greg LeMond in 1991. The Slovenian superstar has already proven himself as one of the most versatile riders of his generation, but tackling Roubaix as a defending Tour winner is a rarity in modern cycling.
Paris-Roubaix, known for its treacherous pavé sectors and unpredictable conditions, is a race that most Tour champions tend to avoid. The risk of crashes and injuries is high, and its demands are vastly different from the mountain climbs and controlled efforts of a Grand Tour. Since LeMond’s participation in 1991, champions like Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, and Jonas Vingegaard have opted to stay away, focusing instead on stage racing. Pogačar, however, thrives on challenges, and his decision to race is a testament to his fearless and aggressive style.
Though he has yet to race Paris-Roubaix as a professional, Pogačar has already shown his ability to handle cobbles. His performance on the pavé during the 2022 Tour de France—when he dropped many specialists on Stage 5—proved he has the technical skills and raw power needed to excel. More recently, his dominant victories at Tour of Flanders (2023) and Strade Bianche (2022, 2024) have showcased his mastery of one-day racing.
Pogačar’s biggest challenge at Roubaix will be adapting to the relentless nature of the race. Unlike the bergs of Flanders, Roubaix’s sectors are long, flat, and brutal, with almost no recovery. Positioning will be crucial, and he will face fierce competition from Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Mads Pedersen—specialists in the art of Roubaix racing.
If Pogačar manages to win, he would become the first reigning Tour champion to conquer Roubaix since Bernard Hinault in 1981. Even a strong performance would further cement his status as one of cycling’s all-time greats. Whether he wins or not, his participation alone adds excitement and prestige to the race, making the 2024 Paris-Roubaix a must-watch event.