Belgian cyclist Lotte Kopecky at the end of the track – Libération

The reigning world champion won this Saturday April 6 the legendary classic contested on the cobblestones of northern France. The first Frenchwoman, Victoire Berteau, is eighth.

An arrival at a velodrome which crowns a track rider, what could be more logical, ultimately? The Belgian Lotte Kopecky, adorned with her rainbow world champion jersey, won Paris-Roubaix for the first time in her career this Saturday April 6. Arriving with five other competitors on the ring where the legendary finish of the “Hell of the North” is judged, the SD Worx competitor managed to put in the final push to get ahead of the Italian Elisa on the line. Balsamo and the British Pfeiffer Georgi.

Unlike last year when the outsiders in the breakaway managed to outsmart the favorites, the latter did not sit idle throughout a day run in spring temperatures. And Kopecky, omnipresent at the forefront, made several attacks, but never managed to defeat her number 1 rival, the Dutch Marianne Vos. It was ultimately by sprinting that she finally achieved her goals.

Eighth and first Frenchwoman, Victoire Berteau confirms her great year in 2024, while Jade Wiel (9th) makes her contribution to the strong day for the FDJ-Suez runners. After Roubaix, the classics campaign will take a more rugged turn in the coming weeks with the Ardennes races, with more difficult elevation.