An open field full of contenders, from former winners to worthy wildcards – Analysing the favourites for Paris-Roubaix Femmes

The 2026 Paris-Roubaix Femmes promises to be a fiercely contested race, featuring a strong and diverse field of contenders. Among the favourites are former winners Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Lotte Kopecky, and Elisa Longo Borghini, though the latter will not be participating due to injury. The race, covering 143km and including 20 challenging cobbled sectors such as the Carrefour de l'Arbre and Mons-en-Pévèle, will see 21 teams and 126 riders compete for the prestigious title. Despite some notable absences, including Tour of Flanders champion Demi Vollering, the event remains wide open with multiple riders capable of victory. Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime stands out as the leading favourite, having previously won Paris-Roubaix Femmes in the world champion’s rainbow jersey and consistently performing well on the cobbles. Her recent victories at Nokere Koerse and Milan-San Remo underline her excellent form and versatility, making her a formidable contender both in breakaways and sprints. Kopecky’s experience and tactical acumen on the notoriously difficult Roubaix terrain position her as a strong candidate to claim a second win at the race. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the defending champion, returns to defend her title despite earlier plans to focus on altitude training. The French rider, who made history with her wins at Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France Femmes last year, will be supported by Marianne Vos in the Visma-Lease a Bike team. Ferrand-Prévot’s recent strong showing at the Tour of Flanders and her proven ability on the cobbles make her a key threat, especially with Demi Vollering absent from the start list. Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek, a seasoned sprinter with multiple Classics victories, is another rider to watch. Having finished second at Paris-Roubaix in 2024 and consistently placing well in major races, Balsamo is eager to secure her first Monument win. Despite the loss of experienced teammates Lizzie Deignan and Ellen van Dijk, Balsamo’s current form, highlighted by recent podium finishes, suggests she remains a serious contender for the podium. Lorena Wiebes, also racing for SD Worx-Protime, complements Kopecky with her sprinting prowess and strong Roubaix pedigree. Last year’s third-place finish behind Ferrand-Prévot and Kopecky demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure in the velodrome sprint. With five wins this season and a high world ranking, Wiebes provides her team with a potent one-two punch, potentially shaping the race’s finale and adding to the tactical complexity of the 2026 Paris-Roubaix Femmes.