A wind of change is blowing across the cobblestones of the North. For the first time in the history of the legendary Paris-Roubaix, the men’s and women’s cycling races will be held on the same day, Sunday April 12 for the 2026 edition.
Offered since 2021, the women’s race has until now been run on Saturday, the day before the men’s. Questioned about this novelty by the specialized site Direct Vélo, Thierry Gouvenou, the director of the event, explained the reasons which prompted the organizer Amaury Sport Organization to shake up habits.
“First of all, there is the provision of security,” Gouvenou explains to Direct Vélo. The system is only set up once, bringing everything together on the same day. It is still much less restrictive for the police. There are also budgetary reasons. »
“The men’s race will arrive before the women’s”
Organizing the two races on the same day would allow savings even if it risks causing some logistical problems “more vehicles and human resources”. The manager also announces that “compared to 2025, these two tests will be brought forward by approximately 30 to 45 minutes”. The women’s race will follow the men’s race.
“People will watch the men and then the women’s race,” continues Gouvenou. As is the case with certain other WorldTour events, the men’s race will therefore arrive before that of the women. »
Precisely, the other reason for this change is to bring better visibility to the women’s race. A test that is gaining momentum. Last year, 1.1 million viewers followed the race and France 3 recorded a peak of 1.9 million viewers at the time of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s victory in her first attempt at Paris-Roubaix.
Note that the paved roads will see four events on the same day since the Espoirs and Juniors, whose races are organized by the VC Roubaix-Lille Métropole, will start before the pros.
