'I feel dead fit but just slow' – Josh Tarling lacking top-end powerfor Paris-Roubaix

Josh Tarling, the promising British time trial specialist, faces ongoing challenges in making a significant impact at Paris-Roubaix, despite his ambition to win the iconic cobbled classic. The 22-year-old has endured setbacks in recent editions, including a disqualification in 2024 due to a sticky bottle and an energy crash in 2025 linked to illness and poor nutrition. Although he showed promise earlier this spring with a strong performance at Paris-Nice, where his team Ineos Grenadiers won the team time trial, Tarling has struggled to find the necessary form in the Classics this season, highlighted by a recent non-finish at the Tour of Flanders. Tarling candidly acknowledged a lack of top-end power ahead of this year’s Paris-Roubaix, describing himself as “dead fit but just slow.” He explained that while his endurance over longer efforts remains solid, he is currently lacking the explosive bursts needed in critical moments of the race. This deficiency is particularly frustrating given Paris-Roubaix’s reputation as a race that typically suits riders with strong time trial abilities, such as himself and his teammate Filippo Ganna, who is the clear leader for Ineos Grenadiers in the event. Despite these struggles, Tarling remains committed to the race and optimistic about his future prospects. He outlined the team's strategy, emphasising the importance of positioning in the early cobbled sectors and the key role Ganna will play as leader, with Tarling adopting a more flexible support role. He also highlighted the unpredictable nature of Paris-Roubaix, noting that the race often unfolds late and that perseverance is essential until the finish line. While Tarling’s tone carried a hint of pessimism about his chances this year, he reaffirmed his passion for Paris-Roubaix and his determination to eventually claim victory. He described the race as his favourite and expressed confidence that the breakthrough will come, even if not immediately. His reflections suggest a focus on building the specific power needed to complement his endurance, aiming to be more competitive in future editions of the Hell of the North.