Could the addition of a rarely-used uphill cobble sector ignite early attacks at Paris-Roubaix?

Wide shots of the cobbled section at Briastre, to be used in Paris-Roubaix 2026. The photos show relatively smooth cobbles and a gentle uphill.

The men's Paris-Roubaix features no fewer than 30 cobbled sectors, making up just shy of 55km of the 258km-long route. Each section of pavé is ranked from one to five stars based on its length and difficulty, with some of the cobblestones in much better condition than others.

However, for this 2026 edition of Paris-Roubaix, the men's route will include a pavé sector that is not just testing due to the terrain, but also an added element of elevation.