Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix – The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky's chances

The Tour of Flanders concluded this past Sunday, delivering a significant victory for Lotte Kopecky in the women's race, her third consecutive win at the Monument. In the men's event, Mathieu van der Poel secured his third Ronde title, a dominant performance that saw him finish over a minute ahead of second-placed Luca Mozzato. The race also highlighted the absence of Remco Evenepoel, a key talking point among fans and pundits.

These results carry substantial weight as the peloton now turns its attention to Paris-Roubaix. Kopecky's form positions her as a formidable favourite for the 'Hell of the North,' potentially completing a rare Flanders-Roubaix double, a feat last achieved by Alison Jackson in 2023. Van der Poel's commanding display at Flanders, meanwhile, firmly establishes him as the man to beat at Roubaix, particularly with the likes of Wout van Aert sidelined. His tactical prowess and sheer power on the cobbles were undeniable.

Van der Poel's performance was a stark reminder that some riders simply operate on a different plane. While the absence of key rivals might temper the narrative for some, his dominance was absolute. Now, let's see if the cobbles of Roubaix can offer any real resistance.