As it happened - Long-range solo move decides historic Paris-Roubaix

Hello and welcome to the 2025 Paris-Roubaix!

It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for. Paris-Roubaix is always a special race, but the stage is set for the 2025 edition to be one of the best ever.

That is of course partly down to the presence of one man - Tadej Pogačar. It’s hard to remember a race debut that’s been more anticipated than this one. We’ve speculated for years how he might fare on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, and now, following his late announcement of his intention to ride, we get to find out as he takes on the unique 

The Slovenian has conquered all before him so far in his career - this feels like the final frontier.

If he’s to win, Pogačar will have to defeat a certain Mathieu van der Poel, as the pair resume their thrilling rivalry. So far it’s 1-1 this spring with the former taking the Tour of Flanders and the latter Milan-Sanremo, and this will be their final showdown before they go their separate ways for the next phase of the season.

Pogačar might have got the better of Van der Poel on the cobblestones last week, but Paris-Roubaix is a very different prospect. With its flat terrain and severity of the cobblestones, this is very much The Dutchman's territory. Pog might be the man everyone’s talking about, but Van der Poel is still the favourite.

The riders are in Compiègne and making their way through the neutralised one. Excitement is building!

The riders at the start, offering us a look at the all-important weather conditions. It’s grey and mild, but not raining - for now. It did rain last night, so the cobblestones will be more wet than they were yesterday for the women's race.

OFFICIAL START

And we're off!

After a subdued initial few metres, Jonas Abrahamsen kicks off the battle to get into the day’s break with the first attack.

He and the others have been brought back.

Ludovic Robeet of Cofidis tries his luck.

He has 2 riders with him, one of whom is Alexander Kristoff, no less.

They too have been brought back.

250KM TO GO

About 10km in to the race and the break is yet to form.

Matteo Moschetti has attacked solo and has a small gap.

He's stitting up to allow a group of about 10 chasers to join him.

The peloton aren't happy with this group, and bring them back.

Dries De Bondt tried an attack, and had Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates - XRG on his wheel. Neither managed to go clear, but could UAE have a strategy of trying to get a man up the road?

240KM TO GO

Still no break has formed. This is one of the best breaks to get into of the season. Not only for the prestige, but for the fact that getting up the road early leads to a high placing more often here than at other races - or even, in the case of Matt Hayman in 2016, Johan Vansummeren in 2011 and Stuart O’Grady in 2006 victory.

About 10 riders have gone clear and the peloton has this time sat up - for now at least.

Oier Lazkano is one of the riders in this group.

Ineos, Lotto, EF, Q36.5 and Jayco-AlUla are some of the teams represented.

A couple of riders are trying to bridge up to them, including De Bondt.

The 8 riders in this lead group are:

Oier Lazkano

Kim Heiduk

Jasper De Buyst

Markus Hoelgaard

Jonas Rutsch

Abram Stockman

Rory Townsend

Max Walker

Nils Politt was part of a chase group trying to join the leaders, but has been brought back. UAE do seem keen to get a man up the road.

230KM TO GO

The leaders have about 15 seconds. The elastic hasn't snapped yet, but this could be the day's break.

The leaders have 20 seconds now, but there are still attacks and counter-attacks being made from the peloton. The battle to form the break isn't over yet.

The latest counter-attack has 7 riders, including a Visma and Alpecin rider.

Pogačar has taken matter into his own hands to hunt down those riders from his rival teams, and is leading the peloton.

Pog has his nose back out of the wind now though.

That counter-attack has been brought back.

220KM TO GO

The leaders have 40 seconds. Things haven't calmed down yet in the peloton, but that's a significant advantage now.

The break a little earlier. Their lead has since grown, up to 50 seconds.

The break's lead has now grown to over a minute. I think we can now safely call this the break of the day.

A reminder of the eight riders in the break:

Oier Lazkano (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe)

Kim Heiduk (Ineos Grenadiers)

Jasper De Buyst (Lotto)

Markus Hoelgaard (Uno-X Mobility)

Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché - Wanty)

Abram Stockman (Unibet Tietema Rockets)

Rory Townsend (Q 36.5)

Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost)

Over 1-30 for the break now.

210KM TO GO

Now the gap grows to over 2 minutes for the first time. Alpecin-Deceuninck are at the front and keeping the pace slow.

Mathias Norsgaard is the first rider to DNF today. It's unclear what happened - there haven't been any reports of a crash.

Up until very recently the prospect of a Tour de France winner who would also win Paris-Roubaix was deemed impossible. Then came Tadej Pogačar.

Were he to win today, he’d be the first rider to win both those races since Bernard Hinault 45 years ago. Such feats feel as though they belong to a different era, but Pogačar is a man of timeless talents, and could today pull off what might be the greatest triumph of his already extraordinary career.

200KM TO GO

We've completed the first fifth of the race. It's still another 35km until the first cobbled sector though, by which point the break will hope they have a significant lead. Right now, it's at a healthy 2-40.

Like Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel also stands to make history with a victory today. He would become only the third man in history to win three successive Paris-Roubaix editions, and the first since Francesco Moser in 1980. He would also join the Slovenian on eight career monuments, as only the eighth man to reach that number.

190KM TO GO

The gap's still going up, now at 3-15. The pace is calm in the peloton. 

Today isn’t just about two riders - there have been a host of star names who have either the form and/or the class to mix it up with them.

There were signs at the Tour of Flanders that Wout van Aert is nearing his best again, where he even looked stronger than Van der Poel in the final, despite losing out to him in the final sprint for the podium spots. Unlike Van der Poel and Pogačar he’s on the hunt for what would ‘only’ be a second career monument - given how hard he’s tried over the years to win another one, and the hardships he’s endured in recent times, victory today would make for a very emotional arc.

Could this be the day Mads Pedersen delivers on his career dream of winning a monument? The Dane has so many times been the Best of the Rest behind Van der Poel and Pogačar, but there’s been signs this spring that he’s closed the gap to them, winning Gent-Wevelgem with a long-range attack worthy of them, and riding very well to place second at the Tour of Flanders.

The pace is up in the peloton, as the fight for position begins already.  

There's been a crash, two riders down - Manlio Moro of Movistar and Michele Gazzoli of Astana.

180KM TO GO

The increase in pace has had an effect on the break’s lead, which has come down to 2-40. There are just over 15km until our first helping of cobblestones.

Another top candidate for victory today is Filippo Ganna. At the start of the year, he outlined this race as one of his two major targets of the spring, along with Milan-Sanremo. Given how well he went in the latter, where he matched Pogačar and Van der Poel to place second, can he do something similar today?

Jonas Abrahamsen has pulled out of the race. He was the first rider to try an attack today, but is nevertheless clearly not feeling up to it.

Paris-Roubaix is of course one of the most significant days for tech in the cycling season. Cyclingnews subscribers can have a browse of our gallery from the women’s race yesterday, while we wait for the riders to hit the cobblestones today.

There's been some more crashes. A Movistar rider went down, and then there was another incident involving Matej Mohorič.

Mohorič is back on his bike and making his way back to the peloton.

Albert Torres was the Movistar rider to fall. He's the team's third to hit the deck already today.

Per Strand Hagenes, Ayco Bastiaens and Riley Pickrell went down in the same incident as Mohorič.

It also seems Van Aert went down. He's back in the peloton now, however, and doesn't seem hurt.

170KM TO GO

Meanwhile the break's lead is at about three minutes.

Torres has abandoned the race after his crash.

The leaders are very near the first cobblestone. The real Paris-Roubaix is about to begin!

SECTOR 30 - TROISVILLES A INCHY

Here we go!  Lazkano leads the eight leaders onto the 3-star Troisvilles à Inchy sector.

The cobblestones are muddy and a little damp. It hasn't rained today, but these roads look hard.

There's been 2 crashes in the peloton as they approach the sector. Stuyven is down in the first, Philipsen in the second.

Ineos lead the peloton as they hit the cobbles for the first time.

Philipsen is up and riding again.

Ganna has had a mechanical and is sliding down the peloton. He was fourth in line, with three Ineos teammates pacing him.

Alpecin take over at the front now, from Ineos.

160KM TO GO

The increase in pace has seen the break's lead come down, to 2-40.

Connor Swift has had a bike change.

Wout van Aert is right at the back of the peloton, a long way from the front.

There's been a split in the peloton after that cobbled sector, and Van Aert has been caught behind it.

Pogačar, Van der Poel and Pedersen are right towards the front of the peloton.

SECTOR 29 - VIESLY A QUIEVY

Time for the second stretch of cobbles of the day, another 3-star sector.

The Van Aert group has rejoned the front peloton, as they approach this sector.

Ganna is in a group still adrift of the peloton, following his bike change.

Lidl lead the peloton onto the cobbles.

SECTOR 28 - QUIEVY A SAINT-PYTHON

The break are on the sector 28, the first four-star one of the day.

The Ganna group is almost a minute behind the peloton.

Lidl lead the peloton on the cobblestones again. They have strength in numbers.

Van Aert has again dropped towards the back on these cobbles. 

Hoole is the Lidl rider leading the peloton, with three teammates on his wheel, including leader Mads Pedersen. 

150KM TO GO

2 minutes is the gap between the break and the leaders, while Ganna is another minute down.

SECTOR 27 - SAINT-PYTHON

The break are on sector 27, the first 2-star sector of the day.

Tarling is leading the Ganna group as they try to make contact with the peloton. They're not making any inroads yet though.

Alpecin-Deceuninck take over from Lidl at the front of the peloton as they approach the next factor. 

SECTOR 26 - VERTAIN A SAINT-MARTIN-SUR-ECAILLON

After a brief period of respite, the leaders are back negotiating the pavé again.

Alpecin lead the peloton as they ride sector 25, the Lidl coningant close behind them.

Flat tyre for Affini, one of Van Aert's key domestiques.

140KM TO GO

The leaders have 1-45 over the peloton, while the Ganna group is now finally gaining ground, just 30 seconds behind.

Colby Simmons of EF tried attacking out of the peloton, but Alpecin aren't letting him go.

Anthony Turgis attacks, and he does get a gap.

The break up ahead.

A crash of about 10 riders has occured at the back of the peloton. Most are up again, but Ed Theuns is still down.

One of Van der Poel's teammate, Silvan Dillier, has abandoned the race.

The Ganna group is still 25 seconds behind the peloton.

Turgis has been brought back by the peloton.

SECTOR 25 - VERCHAING-MAUGRE A QUERENAING

The break are back on the cobbles.

130KM TO GO

The Ganna group is getting closer still to the peloton. Philipsen is also in that group, having gone down in a crash earlier. 

Contact has been made on sector 25, Ganna and Philipsen are back in the peloton - albeit it at the back.

At the front of the peloton, Nils Politt attacks on the cobbles.

Pedersen brings Politt back, bringing the rest of the peloton with him.

SECTOR 24 - QUERENAING A ARTRES

The break begin sector 24 with a lead over the peloton of 1-45.

Lidl take control of the peloton again on sector 24.

Segeart and Behrens have gone down in a crash.

SECTOR 23 - ARTRES A FAMARS

The break begin the 3-star Artres à Famars sector.

Pogačar is further down the bunch on sector 23 than he has been for the previous sectors. 

Having rejoined the peloton, Ganna now has his Ineos team lead the group on the cobbles.

SECTOR 22 - QUERRENAING A MAING

Just three sectors to go until the big one - the Forest of Arenberg.

120KM TO GO

1-18 is the gap between the leaders and the peloton.

Alpecin lead the peloton on sector 21. 

Gianni Vermeersch is out the back of the peloton with a puncture. He was 6th last year, and is one of Van der Poel's most important domestiques.

SECTOR 21 - MAING A MONCHAUX-SUR-ECAILLON

The break remain all together, as they begin sector 21

A reminder of the 8 riders in the break:

Oier Lazkano (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe)

Kim Heiduk (Ineos Grenadiers)

Jasper De Buyst (Lotto)

Markus Hoelgaard (Uno-X Mobility)

Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché - Wanty)

Abram Stockman (Unibet Tietema Rockets)

Rory Townsend (Q 36.5)

Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost)

Colby Simmons has crashed, but got back on his bike again quickly.

Puncture for Arnaud Demare.

Gianni Vermeersch is back in the peloton.

Mechanical for Turgis.

110KM TO GO

One sector to go before the famos forest. The break's lead as they approach it is 1-10.

The peloton is strung out as the battle for positioning intensifies. Lidl-Trek and Visma-Lease a Bike are leading.

SECTOR 20 - HAVELUY A WALLERS

The breakaway riders are on Haveluy à Wallers. As a four-star sector, it's one of the hardest - but a mere starter ahead of the next one, the Forest of Arenberg. 

The peloton are on sector 21 as well, just 40 seconds behind. Mads Pedersen is leading it. 

Pogačar overtakes Pedersen at the front, and ups the pace!

Van der Poel and Pedersen are with Pogačar.

It wasn't exactly an attack from Pogačar, but it was certainly an acceleration.

Van der Poel is on the front now. He has the peloton stretched out behind him, but it isn't split.

Van der Poel finshes the sector at the front, with Pogačar on his wheel.

Pogačar attacks after they exit the sector, but it isn't a committed move.

A group of favourites about 15 riders strong have a small gap after that tentative Pogačar.

Also here: Van der Poel, Van Aert, Pedersen, Brennan.

100KM TO GO

Only 20 seconds now for the leaders. Will they make it to the Arenberg Forest entrence still in the lead?

It's more like 20 riders in the group of favourites. Two Ineos riders are there, but not Ganna.

Philipsen and Küng are also in the group of favourites.

We're approaching the forest. The race is about to get serious - some favourites may not make it to the otherside still in contention.

SECTOR 19 - THE FOREST OF ARENBERG

The breakaway riders have entered the forest.

Now here come the group of favourites, about 25 seconds later. Ineos lead.

Iván García Cortina and Johan Jacobs have gone clear of the group of favourites by a few seconds prior to the forest.

Tadej Pogačar has moved to the front of the peloton as they travel through the forest cobblestones.

Van der Poel takes over from Pogačar.

Pedersen is third in line.

Van Aert has let the wheel go in front of him. He's ninth in line, and the 8 riders ahead have a gap.

Van der Poel accelerates.

Van der Poel leads the group as the leave the forest.

Pogačar, Pedersen and Fedorov are with Van der Poel.

Milan is a victim of the Arenberg forest - he's had a puncture.

As has Nils Politt.

The Van der Poel group is catching riders from the break.

Tarling and Brennan join this group, but no sign of their respective leaders Ganna and Van Aert.

All the breakaway riders have been caught, meaning this is now the front group.

Van der Poel attacks.

He hasn't gone clear.

Van Aert and Kung are in a chase group behind the lead group.

90KM TO GO

The front group has about 15 riders in it.

SECTOR 18 - WALLERS A HELESMES

Pedersen attacks on sector 18.

It's more of an acceleration than an all-out attack, but he's stretched the group out.

Fedorov has been dropped out of the group, seemingly with a mechanical.

Van der Poel attacks out of sector 18.

Meanwhile his teammate Philipsen needs a wheel change.

Correction - it's a different Alpecin teammate that has had the wheel change.

Pogačar, Pedersen, Bissegger and Philipsen have followed Van der Poel, and they have a gap.

Pogačar is unhappy with something. He seems to have some kind of problem with his bike.

This is a very strong group, and they're working together: Pogačar, Van der Poel, Pedersen, Philipsen and Bissegger.

Van Aert is 30 seconds adrift, Ganna in a group yet further back.

Only five seconds behind this quintet is a larger group, containing Kung, Tarling, Lazkano and Gianni Vermeersch, among others.

Actually, that gap is much bigger than five seconds - it's closer to 25 seconds.

Pogačar's team car has come up to him, and taken a gell - it seems that was what he was unhappy about earlier, not a bike problem. Might he be in danger of a hunger knock?

SECTOR 17 - HORNAING A WANDIGNIES

If so, we'll find out soon - we're on the cobbles again, for sector 17.

These five are moving away from the rest of the race. The second group on the road is already over 30 seconds behind.

80KM TO GO

Van der Poel is leading the group on this sector, with Philipsen, Pedersen, Pogačar and Bissegger with him.

Pogačar has taken to the cobblestone of Paris-Roubaix like a duck to water. Here he is leading the peloton in the Arenberg forest.

That said, Pogačar doesn't look entirely comfortable. He's grimacing a bit, and stretching - he might have some kind of cramp.

Where has this ride from Bissegger come from? Whereas the other four in this lead group were all among the pre-race favourites, nobody was talking about the Swiss rider.

SECTOR 16 - WARLAING A BRILLON

Pogačar leads the group onto sector 16, which is a three-star one.

Behind, Van Aert is back into the first chase group - but they're over a minute adrift.

Also in that chase group: Brennan, Florian Vermeersch, Tarling, Kung, Tim Van Dijke, Holegaard, Stockman, Rutsch, Teunissen.

The five leaders finish sector 16 all together, with a lead of 1-03.

SECTOR 15 - TILLOY A SARS-ET-ROSIERES

We're on sector 15, which is one of the tougher ones rated four-star.

POGACAR ATTACK

Pogačar's attacked on the cobbles, and gone clear!

Van der Poel is back up to him.

Meanwhile Pedersen has had a puncture.

70KM TO GO

Pogačar and Van der Poel have a gap over Philipsen and Biseegger behind.

Pedersen has changed his wheel, but he's back in the chase group.

Philipsen has dropped Bissegger.

Van der Poel is refusing to take a turn. He's waiting for Philipsen to come back.

Philipsen is back with the leading two.

This is a tricky situation for Pogačar, up against teammates Van der Poel and Philipsen.

Pedersen is doing a lot of the work in the chase behind, but they’re over a minute behind. That puncture was a huge slice of misfortune for the Dane, who was again doing a great race.

Bissegger is still in between the two groups.

There are nine riders in the Pedersen group - as well as Pedersen, Van Aert, Brennan, Kung, F. Vermeersch, T. Van Dijke, Teunissen, Holegaard and Rutsch.

SECTOR 14 - BEUVRY-LA-FORÊT À ORCHIES

Pogačar resumes at the front as they enter sector 14.

Pogačar, Philipsen and Van der Poel reach the end of the sector together, their lead over a minute on the chasers. While a lot can happen by way of crashes or mechanicals, it does seem like our winner today will be one of these three.

Bissegger has been caught by the chasing group.

Pogačar is used to having to take on Van der Poel, but not both Van der Poel and Philipsen at the same time. He's going to have to be both clever and strong to come out on top - and will surely need to distance at least one of them.

60KM TO GO

Their lead is now 1-20 on the chasers.

SECTOR 13 - ORCHIES

Van der Poel leads the trio as they take on the three-star Orchies.

In the chase group, Pedersen ups the pace as they begin the cobbles.

Mechanical for Teunissen in the chase group.

Pedersen has dropped everyone else in the chase group. He's still looking very strong.

Puncture for Stefan Küng.

Pedersen is about to be joined by Florian Vermeersch and Bissegger.

Van Aert's having a hard time. He's been dropped by his teammate Brennan and Rutsch, who are catching up to the rest of the chasers led by Pedersen.

Van Aert has also joined up to them now. That means we have 7 riders in the chase group again - Pedersen, F.Vermeersch, Bissegger, Holegaard, Brennan, Rutsch and Van Aert.

Philipsen grabs a drink from the team car. He's done another great Paris-Roubaix today, having been runner-up in both the last two editions - especially when you remember that he hit the deck and was distanced earlier.

SECTOR 12 - AUCHY-LEZ-ORCHIES A BERSEE

Pogačar again leads the trio on sector 12. This is a tough, 4-star one, followed by the even harder Mons-en-Pévèle. Will be launch an attack on one of these to try to drop Philipsen? 

What a fascinating composition this lead group is - it contains arguably the best rouleur, best sprinter and best climber in the world. Have we ever seen this before at Paris-Roubaix?

Still no attack from any of them yet. That might change on the upcoming sector though - Mons-en-Pévèle is one of only three 5-star sectors. 

50KM TO GO

1-17 is the gap between the leaders and the chasers.

We're nearing Mons-en-Pévèle! It seems more likely that Pog will try something than the others - Philipsen will want to follow wheels to wait for a sprint, while it would be a tactical mistake for Van der Poel to distance his teammate.

SECTOR 11 - MONS-EN-PEVELE

Here we go, Mons-en-Pévèle.

Pogačar ups the pace, but no gaps.

Van der Poel attacks!

He has one bike-length on Pogačar.

But Pogačar closes the gap.

Philipsen is struggling, and Pogačar pounces on the opportunity with another attack.

Philipsen is dropped.

Philipsen is already a long way off, as they leave the sector.

Surely Van der Poel can now sit on Pog's wheel and refuse to take a turn, with his teammate behind.

Pedersen is leading the chase group, from which Brennan has been dropped. This has still been a sensational debut from the teenager, though.

Van der Poel and Pogačar are ahead of the race, Philipsen 20 seconds behind.

SECTOR 10 - MERIGNIES A AVELIN

Van der Poel moves to the front as the start sector 10.

The finish that sector - only a 700m one - still together.

40KM TO GO

Philipsen is going backwards, now 45 seconds behind the two leaders. The Pedersen chase group is 45 seconds behind him.

SECTOR 9 - PONT-THIBAULT A ENNEVELIN

Van der Poel increases the pace as they begin sector 9.

Pogačar accelerates, gains a bike-length, but Van der Poel shuts it down.

POGACAR CRASH

Pogačar has fallen going arond a corner.

It's not a bad crash, but he's lost a lot of ground.

He's up and chasing, but this might be the moment the race swings to Van der Poel!

It was a very soft landing for Pogačar in the grass, so he's unlikely to be hurt, and it took him precious seconds to get his bike sorted out.

20 seconds is the gap between Van der Poel and Pogačar.

The gap's still at 20 seconds. Pogačar isn't making any inroads, but neither is he out of contention.

It's come down a little now, to 17 seconds. 

SECTOR 8 - TEMPLEUVE

Van der Poel starts sector 8 with a lead of 16 seconds.

Pogačar is inching his way back - he's now 14 seconds behind.

Van der Poel was hit by a bottle thrown by a fan on the last cobbled sector. He appears unhurt, thankfully.

Still the gap comes down, slowly. It's at 12 seconds. 

30KM TO GO

Pog will want to bring this back sooner rather than later. He's expending lots of energy. Meanwhile the Pedersen/WVA chase group is a distant 1-54 adrift.

The gap is starting to grow again, up to 18 seconds. The advantage is swinging back to Van der Poel.

SECTOR 7 - CYSOING A BOURGHELLES

Van der Poel is back on the cobbles, with a lead of 18 seconds.

Behind, it's still Pedersen who leads the chase group. Philipsen is back in that group now, too.

SECTOR 6 - BOURGHELLES A WANNEHAIN

Sector 6 for Van der Poel, who's still 20 seconds ahead.

The gap is growing out some more, up to 25 seconds. This is going to be a tall order for the World Champion.

Philipsen is struggling in the chase group now, he's being dropped.

Van Aert and F. Vermeersch have gone clear from the others.

POGACAR MECHANICAL

Pogačar has needed a bike change. Surely that's it for his chances.

20KM TO GO

Pog is on his new bike, but he's now a whole 45 seconds adrift.

SECTOR 5 - CAMPHIN-EN-PEVELE

Still, this is Paris-Roubai, and you never know what lies on the horizon. Van der Poel still has five cobbled sectors to avoid incident. 

The gap's getting bigger and bigger. It's at 55 seconds.

Behind, Pedersen is with Van Aert and F.Vermeersch. They’re still a whole 1-50 behind Pog though - his second place at least looks secure.

SECTOR 4 - CARREFOUR DE L’ARBRE

If there is to be another twist in this race, it's likely to come now - Van der Poel is on the Carrefour de l'Arbre, the final five-star sector, and featuring some of the most severe cobblestones of the day.

Pogačar begins the Carrefour de l'Arbre a minute behind.

VAN DER POEL MECHANICAL

Van der Poel has stopped, he needs a bike change!

It was a quick change, and he's back up and riding, but he's lost time and momentum.

Van der Poel doesn't seem to have lost much time though, he still appears on course for victory.

The gap's come down only a bit, and remains over a minute. 

Florian Vermeersch has attacked Van Aert and Pedersen towards the end of Carrefour de l'Arbre, in a bid for a podium finish.

SECTOR 3 - GRUSON

Van der Poel has finished all the hard sectors, and now has just this 2-star sector, another 2-star sector and the final ceremonial 1-star sector in Roubaix to complete. 

Behind, Vermeersch did not manage to get away from Van Aert and Pedersen.

10KM TO GO

Van der Poel only has 10km left, and leads Pogačar by 1-10. Pogačar still looks good for second, 50 secods ahead of Vermeersch / Van Aert / Pedersen.

SECTOR 2 - WILLEMS A HEM

We're on the penultimate sector, which is adorned by pictures of past Paris-Roubaix winners - including Van der Poel himself, who's about to add a third title.

5KM TO GO

1-15 for Van der Poel, who's talking to his team car.

Could Pogačar’s second-place be under threat? He’s only 30 seconds ahead of the chasing trio.

Van Aert attacks out of the chase group, wanting a podium place.

Pedersen is out on his wheel, Vermeersch slowly making his way back.

SECTOR ONE - ROUBAIX

Van der Poel's on the final 'cobbles', and nearing the famous velodrome. 

He swings aroun the corner onto the track, and is greeted by a roar from the crowd.

For the third year in a row, he enters the velodrome all by himself at the front of the race.

VAN DER POEL WINS

And for the third year in a row, he takes victory!

Here comes Pogačar, his second-place looking safe after all.

Pog crosses the line second - he might not have won, but he still lived up to the hype.

Pedersen leads Van Aert and Vermeersch as they hear the bell. They're going to sprint for the final podium spot.

Pedersen takes third, Van Aert fourth, Vermeersch fifth. 

Van der Poel and Pogačar’ embrace at the finish. The latter doesn't seem too disappointed despite the manner in which he was taken out of contention today in the crash.

Bissegger, Rutsch and Hoelgaard are about to sprint for 6th place.

Rutsch takes 6th, Bissegger 7th, and Holegaard 8th. That's career best finishes for all three at this race - and remember that Rutsch and Hoelgaard were in the day's early break. 

So that’s a third career Paris-Roubaix title for Van der Poel, who now needs just one more to draw level with joint-record holders Tom Boonen and “Mr Paris-Roubaix” Roger De Vlaeminck.

Van der Poel is also back level with Pogačar on eight career monuments. They're both joint eighth on the all-time list. 

As for Pogačar, second-place today means he now has the rare and remarkable honor of making the podium in all five monuments. The only other rider to do that in recent years is Philippe Gilbert.

As for the last man on the podium, Mads Pedersen finishes off an exceptional spring with a third-place finish, to go alongside his runner-up finish at the Tour of Flanders. How he must be cursing his luck - both at having a puncture when he did today, and at being born into the same generation of Van der Poel and Pogačar.

This is the last we’ll see of Van der Poel for a while now, as he finishes his spring classica campaign. This will be remembered as the spring of Van der Poel v Pogačar, with both riders making the podium in all of the season’s first monuments, Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and now Paris-Roubaix.

As for Pogačar, he’ll now turn his attention to the Ardennes Classics week, with Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège all on his schedule. He’s the hot favourite for all of them.

First up, on Wednesday, will be Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday, which we’ll be covering live. Thanks for following along today, and be sure to join us again then as the classics season continues!