As It Happened - Lotte Kopecky becomes Queen of the Classics at Paris-Roubaix Femmes

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the fourth Paris-Roubaix Femmes where the peloton take on 17 cobbled sectors, 2 five-star pavè across 148.5km from Denain to the Roubaix Velodrome.

It's finally arrived, the weekend that signals the end of the cobbled classics for the year and, for many, the jewel in its crown.

Paris-Roubaix is a dream race to win, but who will come out on top today? Can SD-Worx-Protime finally nail this race, or will it be for the likes of Lidl-Trek, dsm-firmenich PostNL or FDJ-Suez? We only have a few hours left to find out and we'll take you through all the action live here on this page.

Last year we had a surprise winner in Alison Jackson. The breakaway managed to hold off the bunch and the Canadian took advantage with a strong sprint in the Roubaix velodrome.

Roubaix is always a race that can throw up a surprise or two. What about today?

The CyclingNews team are on the ground in northern France and had a good look at Jackson's bike for this year's edition:

Don't think, just dance: Alison Jackson's Paris-Roubaix Bike

The neutralised start is in about 15 minutes' time.

Over the Paris-Roubaix cobbles, the weather is always something to worry about. 

There had been rumours mid-week of rain today, but the riders will be relieved to see the sun breaking through the clouds and a toasty 24 degrees on the thermometers. It has rained in the week so it won't be a dustbowl, expect some muddy patches.

The other important factor to consider today is the wind.

It's a bit blustery, with wind speeds up to 29 km/h in a northerly direction. That means a fair tailwind for much of the day. Good news for early attackers.

So who is likely to contend for the cobblestone today?

As she has done for most races in the last few weeks, SD Worx-Protime's Lotte Kopecky comes in as the big favourite. The world champion has won four races this year, but has yet to land a big one on the cobbles. 

Her team is noticeably weakened today with the absence of Marlen Reusser and Demi Vollering. However, so are several other squads.

Kopecky will be desperate to put the misfortune of Flanders behind her and take a big win here.

The riders are on the move for the neutralised start. The racing should get going properly in about ten minutes.

Marianne Vos (Visma - Lease a Bike) claimed her 250th career win a couple of weeks ago at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, but Paris-Roubaix is one race that is missing from her extensive palmares.

This is a race that suits Vos, having experience like she does is crucial at Paris-Roubaix. 

Despite two big favourites in Kopecky and Vos, it's an open race today, full of possibilities. Here are a few more riders who could contend:

Pfeiffer Georgi (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) has looked excellent in the past few races. She was one of the few who has managed to follow Kopecky up the climbs of Flanders.

Kopecky's team-mate Lorena Wiebes has also been going well. If a group comes to the line in the velodrome, she won't be beaten.

Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) has been resurgent this spring, claiming wins at Trofeo Alfredo Binda and Classic Brugge-De Panne.

Others worth a mention include Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM).

Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2024 - Analysing the contenders

The official start has been given. Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2024 is underway!

Two riders who were announced on the official start-list have not started, both suffering with illness. They are Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (Canyon//SRAM) and
Maaike Boogaard (AG Insurance-Soudal).

We have our first breakaway attempt. Nina Kessler (EF Education-Cannondale), Lieke Nooijen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Josie Talbot (Cofidis) got a small gap, but were quickly closed down again.

140km to go

There has been a crash in the peloton in the early kilometres. It's unclear who was involved, but all the riders are reported to be back riding.

As already mentioned the riders will have a tailwind for most of today, but for the next few kilometres they will be heading south into a headwind. It could be a while before a breakaway sticks.

This will be a common theme today, riders cutting through the exposed farmland of northern France. With the wind blowing, it could have an impact on the race.

Another crash, this time its riders from Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-Cannondale and Cofidis.

It's been a nervy start.

Grand Est-Komugi's Victoire Joncheray has about 20 seconds of a lead over the peloton.

We've got about 50 kilometres to go until the first section of cobblestones. 

The riders have been taking a look at the key sections over the last few days. Have a look at some images from their recons.

Paris-Roubaix Recon - Weather, the 'chicane', and a last taste of the cobbles - Gallery

130km to go

Joncheray's lead has grown to 45 seconds. Now there are several riders looking to jump across to her. 

An early mechanical issue for former USA national champion Coryn Labecki (EF Education-Cannondale)

Our lone leader is still out there by herself. Joncheray's lead has grown to almost a minute. 

It could be a long day out front for the Frenchwoman riding her first Paris-Roubaix.

It's the first time that Team Komugi-Grand Est have raced Paris-Roubaix Femmes. Joncheray is representing them well early on and has grown her lead to almost two minutes.

Yet another crash in the peloton. All the riders are back on their bikes.

And again, this time it's reigning champion Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) who has fallen.

Jackson is back riding as Joncheray extends her lead beyond two minutes. It doesn't look like anyone else wants to join her now.

The riders skip the Patisserie, they're focussed on the pavé.

The pace seems to have increased in the main group. Joncheray's lead drops to just over a minute.

The riders are heading north now and have a 30 km/h tailwind helping them along. 

This seems to be to the disadvantage of Joncheray, whose lead is melting away.

Jackson's crash doesn't seem to have been too bad. She did need a new bike, however. 

It seems that Georgie Howe of Liv-AlUla-Jayco was caught up in it as well.

111km to go

After a solid solo effort, Victoire Joncheray has now been caught by the peloton. 

With less than 30km to go to the cobbles, it's likely that we will now see some more attacks as riders try to anticipate the favourites.

There haven't been any further attacks yet after Joncheray was caught. 

25km to go now until the first cobblestone sector, which is the four-star rated, 3.7km long Hornaing à Wandignies. 

The cobbled sectors at Paris Roubaix Femmes are front-loaded with difficulty. After Hornaing à Wandignies, we have five more three and four star sectors over the following 25km. It's going to be a hard start to the cobbles.

After that there are three key points to look out for.

At 100km in it's the 5 star Mons-en-Pévèle, a legendarily difficult sector.

At 128km it's the Camphin-en-Pévèle, then straight after that the Carrefour de l'Arbre - the race's second 5 star portion of cobbles. This ends with 15k to go and is the last real difficulty of the day.

100km to go

Team Visma - Lease a Bike are setting the pace on the front of the bunch. It's all still together with not long to go until the cobbles.

Here's a breakdown of the cobbled sectors ahead of the riders (the higher the star-rating, the harder the sector). Now just 15k to go until the first one.

Km 66 - Sector 17, Hornaing to Wandignies, 3.7km, 4*
Km 73.5 - Sector 16, Warlaing to Brillon, 2.4km, 3*
Km 76.9 - Sector 15, Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières, 2.4km, 4*
Km 83.3 - Sector 14, Beuvry-la-Forêt to Orchies, 1.4km, 3*
Km 88.3 - Sector 13, Orchies, 1.7km, 3*
Km 94.4 - Sector 12, Auchy-lez-Orchies, 2.7km, 4*
Km 99.9 - Sector 11, Mons-en-Pévèle, 3km, 5*
Km 105.9 - Sector 10, Mérignies to Avelin, 0.7km, 2*
Km 109.3 - Sector 9, Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin, 1.4km, 3*
Km 114.7 - Sector 8, Templeuve (l’Épinette), 0.2km, 1*
Km 115.2 - Sector 8, Templeuve (Moulin-de-Vertain), 0.5km, 2*
Km 121.6 - Sector 7, Cysoing to Bourghelles, 1.3km, 3*
Km 124.1 - Sector 6, Bourghelles to Wannehain, 1.1km, 3*
Km 128.6 - Sector 5, Camphin-en-Pévèle, 1.8km, 4*
Km 131.3 - Sector 4, Carrefour de l’Arbre, 2.1km, 5*
Km 133.6 - Sector 3, Gruson, 1.1km, 2*
Km 140.3 - Sector 2, Willems to Hem, 1.4km, 2*
Km 147.1 - Sector 1, Roubaix (Espace Charles Crupelandt), 0.3km, 1*

The riders are all together as they approach the first section of cobbles.

Marie-Morgane Le Deunff of Arkea-B&B Hotels is the first rider to abandon the race.

World Champion Lotte Kopecky is one of the big favourites today. Here's what the SD Worx-Protime rider had to say before the start in Denain:

"I'm really excited to race today. We've got nice weather and a lot of wind. It's going to be a nice race, I hope."

"Last week was not my day in the Tour of Flanders. I had a lot of rest this week and I'm really motivated and I think I'm ready for today."

 "The wind will have a crucial role today. There could be crosswinds on the cobbles and there is no hiding so it could make the race harder."

86km to go

Just 4km to go until the first section of cobbles, which is also the longest on the route today. The peloton are all together and moving at a pace.

It's Movistar and Team dsm-firmenich PostNL in control at the front of the group as they approach Hornaing à Wandignies. 

The pace is so high that they have split the peloton. About 20 riders are off the back.

82km to go

The riders hit the cobbles for the first time today!

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL hit Hornaing à Wandignies, but Balsamo and Kopecky are already up within the first five riders.

No attacks yet, but Kopecky seems keen to keep as far forward as possible, even taking turns on the front. Wiebes up with her. 

It's still Team dsm-firmenich PostNL at the front, leader Georgi in third wheel.

Riders are being dropped off the back in ones and twos. Roland's Sylvie Swinkels one of the riders distanced. 

Rachele Barbieri (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) has led for most of this section and takes the peloton back onto the tarmac. Several more riders dropped.

77km to go

There's an attack off the front, but it's closed down. Lidl-Trek are looking to calm things down. 

2km until the next sector - they will come thick and fast now.

Soraya Paladin (Canyon//SRAM) and Emilia Fahlin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) are among those dropped. There are about 70 riders in the front group.

The riders hit sector 16, Warlaing to Brillon. It's a 3-star section, 2.4km long.

The pace is high as Sanguineti (Lidl-Trek) leads them through.

The pace is astronomical. Lidl-Trek and Team dsm-firmenich PostNL clearly have a tactic today. Do they think they can isolate Kopecky and Vos?

Sarah Roy (Cofidis) has a puncture at the worst possible moment when the pace is on.

The riders are off the cobbles. In 1km, it's the next one, Tilloy à Sars-et-Rosières, 4* at 2.4km.

Sector 15 - Tilloy à Sars-et-Rosières

Time for sector 15. Barbieri (DSM) on the front again.

Kopecky hits the front halfway through this sector. Georgi on the wheel. 

Kopecky is putting the pressure on!

Wiebes, Schweinberger, Balsamo in a group of around 10 with the world champion.

A group of about 12 have a small advantage over several smaller groups. 

The race is split all over the place.

About 20 at the front now. DSM and Lidl-Trek are well represented, but Kopecky, Wiebes and Vos are isolated.

Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez) tries an attack, but Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) closes it down.

65km to go

Attack by reigning champion Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale), but Lidl-Trek aren't letting her away this year.

Sector 14 - Beuvry-la-Forêt à Orchies

Ellen van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) putting on the pressure on the next section of cobbles.

Van Dijk led all the way through sector 14. The front group is about 20 strong now, but riders who were distanced on the cobbles are coming back.

Three-time world Cyclocross champion Sanne Cant (Fenix-Deceuninck) tries a move off the front, but is quickly closed down.

Zöe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM) is leading the peloton now. It's 20 years since her father - and Sport Director - Magnus, won the men's Paris-Roubaix.

Lotte Kopecky has a mechanical issue. She is refusing help from the neutral servie and opts to wait for her team car, but how far back is it?

Kopecky looks frustrated. She takes a tool from her team mechanic to adjust her handlebars, which seem to have slipped.

All sorted now, she's on her way back to the bunch as the riders approach sector 13.

Sector 13 - Orchies

Another 3* sector now, it's 1.4km long. Kopecky is back in the bunch.

The group has swollen to about 40 now as Visma-Lease a Bike lead the peloton.

Balsamo, Paternoster, Georgi and Kopecky are right up near the front.

We're approaching a key section of the race, just 10k to go now until the infamous Mons-en-Pévèle. The race could explode there, especially with how quickly the riders have been moving so far.

Problem for Anniinna Ahtosalo (Uno X Mobility).

The riders are back on the tarmac again.

It's a bit of a stop-start kind of race so far. The riders slow down every time they're on the tarmac, then go for it on each cobbled section.

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL have been one of the more active teams so far on the cobbles.

The pace is off now. The group is up to around 50 or 60 riders. It's a chance for isolated leaders to regroup with their team-mates.

Sector 12 - Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée

Barbieri doing a good job again onto the next cobbles, Georgi on her wheel.

Kopecky raises the pace and a group of five goes away. Wiebes, Georgi, Vos and Schweinberger are with her.

The gap is growing quickly.

Elisa Balsamo is chasing furiously to get back, this could be a key moment.

Wiebes is dropped from the front group approaching the end of this sector.

There's a group of four about ten seconds behind the leaders and another group of three just behind them. Still on the cobbles.

Looks like two from FDJ-Suez in a chase group of six now about 20 seconds down. Vos has a team-mate in there. Balsamo and Wiebes are there too.

A larger group is not too far behind the chasers, though.

50km to go

This leading group is pushing on. They are just 1km from Mons-en-Pévèle now.

Sector 11 - Mons-en-Pévèle

One of two 5* sectors now. Mons-en-Pévèle is 3km long.

The leaders are just 10 seconds ahead of a chasing group of 20.

Ellen van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) has steamrolled into the gap of the four leaders and has brought them back on Mons-en-Pévèle. Amazing effort.

Still 2km left of this sector.

Van Dijk looks born for the cobbles. She's in control as the rest of the group strain to hold on. 

Splits now in the leading group as Van Dijk continues. There are about 15 riders with her.

No attacks on this sector yet as Van Dijk sets the pace. It seems as though there's a strong headwind discouraging any moves. 

The group has swollen slightly.

44km to go

Back onto the tarmac and Kopecky attacks. She has forced a split in the group, with about ten in the lead. 

The two groups quickly come back together. It was just another tester from the world champion.

Another move off the front. This time from Marta Lach of Ceratizit-WNT. It's closed down quickly.

This is a good example of what the cobbled sections are like. They are mostly dry, but with sections of mud and standing water.

Sector 10 - Mérignies à Avelin

The riders are now on a 2*, 700 metre sector.

It's an easier section of the race now, just 1, 2 and 3 star sectors now for the next 20 kilometres before the big finale.

40km to go

There are about 25 in the front group, but no team with more than three riders.

Now five more join the front group, including three from FDJ-Suez. They now have five at the front.

Sector 9 - Pont-Thibault à Ennevelin

Now time for a 3* sector, 1.4km long.

Group staying together over this section. Koch (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) on the front as they go back to the tarmac.

36km to go

Attack from Van Dijk, but the group aren't letting her go.

Le Court, Schweinberger and Van Dijk pulling turns as the wind blows looking to split riders off the back.

They sit up, but it's a reminder that this race isn't only decided on the rough stuff.

Borghesi (EF) tries a move but is closed down.

Van Dijk attacks again as the pace slows. FDJ-Suez have numbers and they close her down. 

Sector 8 - Templeuve (L'Épinette)

Just a 200 metre, 1* sector now.

Sector 7 - Templeuve (Moulin-de-Vertin)

The riders bounce straight to the next sector, which is 2* and 500 metres long.

Jade Wiel (FDJ-Suez) has made a move off the front.

Wiel still has a gap as they exit that sector. She has a little gap and team-mates behind. It's a nice move.

32km to go

10 seconds now for Wiel as the chasers slow.

Kopecky looks to chase down Wiel on her own. The group is in her wheel but there are several splits.

Van Dijk attacks over the top of the world champion.

20 seconds now for Wiel. Her team-mates are doing a good job disturbing the chase behind.

30 seconds now for Wiel as the riders approach a key 10 kilometre section of the race, with three tough sectors.

Sector 7 - Cysoing à Boughelles

Cromwell on the front of the group as they hit the next sector. 22-second lead for Wiel.

This really is a strong move from Wiel. She is giving her team-mates behind the chance just to follow. Grace Brown is in good form and could be a danger going into the finale.

25km to go

Back off the cobbles again. Still 22 seconds for Wiel. 

Vos and Kopecky move to the front. Van Dijk attacks again. 

Sector 6 - Bourghelles à Wannehain

3*, 1.1km long, this one.

Wiel's lead is disappearing. Just 8 seconds now. 

Riders being dropped off the back of the group now as Visma-Lease a Bike lift the pace.

Off the cobbles and Wiel is caught. Attack now from Van Dijk and Amber Kraak. 

Georgi and Koch have tangled together and had to stop. Georgi is off the back of the group and chasing now solo.

Van Dijk and Kraak have about 10 seconds on the group. 

They are about to go into the key section of the race. First up will be the 4* Camphin-en-Pévèle, followed shortly after by Carrefour de l'Arbre. 

The race will be decided here.

Georgi is back in the group, but will have expended precious energy there. 

Sector 5 - Camphin-en-Pévèle

Onto the cobbles. It's 4* and 1.8km. 16 seconds for the leading duo.

Kopecky lifts the pace, stretching out the group. Balsamo, Georgi and Vos the only riders able to join the world champion.

Georgi is dropped. The gap to Van Dijk and Kraak is decreasing. 

There's a strong wind on this section, it's blowing the riders all over. Kopecky's group are just joining the leaders.

We have a front group of five: Kopecky, Vos, Balsamo, Van Dijk and Kraak.

The riders are off Camphin-en-Pévèle. Heading for Carrefour de l'Arbre very shortly.

Sector 5 - Carrefour de l'Arbre

Onto perhaps the most feared sector. It's 2.1km long and 5 stars. 

Van Dijk driving things on, she has a very fast team-mate with her.

Georgi is not far off the front five. 

The pace of Van Dijk has now dropped her team-mate Balsamo! She is with Georgi now.

This is such a rutted sector, with lots of standing water. The riders are weaving all over the road to find the best line. 

7 seconds between the front four and the two chasers. 

Now Vos attacks! Kopecky joins.

Kraak and Van Dijk make their way back to Vos and Kopecky. The gap seems to be increasing to Georgi and Balsamo.

There is another chasing group of 10 including Borghesi, Berteau and Le Court 25 seconds back.

Sector 3 - Gruson

Kraak, Vos, Le Court and Van Dijk are off the Carrefour de l'Arbre. 

That's all the hard cobbles done. They're onto a 2* 1.1km sector.

Vos attacks, Kopecky goes over the top, but she can't drop Vos. 

Kraak and Van Dijk trying to steadily close that gap.

Vos and Kopecky sit up. 

Van Dijk lifts the pace as she and Kraak catch up. That's the end of sector 3. 5km to the next sector.

Georgi and Balsamo are 12 seconds down on the leaders. Georgi is doing most of the work.

12km to go

Vos not happy with the co-operation of the front group. She doesn't want Balsamo to come back to them as one of the fastest sprinters in the world. 

The gap is 11 seconds.

The pace is slowing up front. Georgi and Balsamo are closing. The gap is now 5 seconds. 

Another, larger, chasing group is 36 seconds down. 

Georgi and Balsamo make it back to the leaders. 

As they do, Van Dijk attacks again. What's that? 7 attacks so far from Van Dijk?

10km to go

The group slows now, they are confident that the gap to the chasers is big enough that the winner will come from their group. 

Fenix-Deceuninck are pulling the chasing group.

The gap to the chasers has come down to 24 seconds now. 

Sector 2 - Willems à Hem

Last 'proper' cobbled sector now. It's only 2* and lasts for 1.4km.

Kopecky is in control at the front.

Kim Le Court is leading the chasers on this cobbled sector. The mountain biker will be comfortable on the cobbles. 

The gap is staying stable at 23 seconds. 

Back onto the tarmac and this is the run-in to Roubaix.

The leaders need to be careful that they don't take the foot off the gas too much. Wiebes is in the group behind and the leaders will want to keep her at bay.

5km to go

The gap to the leaders is decreasing. 20 seconds now. 

The group in front is working well enough, they should hold off the chasers. 

Berteau makes a move off the front of the chase group with a rider from FDJ-Suez in the wheel. Wiebes chasing.

4km to go

A move from Amber Kraak is foiled. Van Dijk then attacks, but is chased down.

They are the two riders without a sprint, they will need to go long.

Gap still 20 seconds. 

3km to go

Van Dijk sitting on the front of the lead group now. Looks like her plan is to lead Balsamo to the sprint now. 

Gap to chasers steady at 20 seconds. 

2km to go

Vos is helping Van Dijk now who has done a lot of work. 

It looks like we're heading for a big sprint in the iconic Roubaix velodrome. 

Sector 1 - Roubaix (Espace Charles Crupelandt)

A final cobblestone section. The group of six are 22 seconds ahead. It will be between the leaders.

1km to go

Here we go! 1.5 laps of the velodrome to decide it!

Van Dijk leads it out. Georgi on her wheel.

1 lap to go!

Georgi opens up the sprint on the back-straight

Vos and Balsamo side-by-side into the home straight. But Kopecky comes round to take the win!

The world champion takes the win she has craved since this race was created four years ago. She came at speed over Vos and Balsamo in the last 50 metres.

Balsamo takes second and Georgi just overtakes Vos to take the last place on the podium. 

Kopecky takes an iconic Paris-Roubaix win in the World Champion's rainbow jersey. 

Images of heartbreak for Balsamo as she misses out on the win and delight for Georgi as she takes the biggest result of her career by getting on the podium.

Here's our full report from the race:

Paris-Roubaix Femmes: World Champion Lotte Kopecky wins thrilling breakaway sprint to take victory

Here's the results from a challenging edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes.

That's the end of our live coverage of Paris-Roubaix Femmes.

Keep an eye out for the all the news and reaction from our team on the ground in Roubaix.