The anticipation, tension and nerves were palpable ahead of the historical first-ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes in 2021 as 129 riders ventured into relatively-unknown racing territory over the unforgiving cobbles that make the Hell of the North the iconic Monument that it is today.
The race is 127 years steeped into the tradition of men's professional racing, and while the women's peloton had previewed and ridden the pavé sectors, it was only three years ago that they were invited by organisers ASO to line up and compete in the race of their own on the professional circuit.
