Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert claimed his first-ever Paris-Roubaix title on Sunday, winning the 123rd edition of the legendary cobblestone classic after a dramatic 258.3-kilometre race that ended with a decisive sprint on the famous Roubaix velodrome. Van Aert, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, crossed the line ahead of Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar, with Belgian Jasper Stuyven taking third place and three-time defending champion Mathieu van der Poel finishing fourth.

Paris-Roubaix, often called "the Hell of the North," is one of cycling's most prestigious one-day races, renowned for its brutal stretches of cobblestone roads — known as pavé — that wind through northern France. This year's edition featured 54.8 kilometres of those unforgiving cobbled sectors, spread across 30 separate stretches. The race proved as punishing as ever, with mechanical misfortune playing a decisive role in shaping the final outcome.

Van der Poel, who had won the previous three editions of the race, saw his hopes evaporate in the infamous Wallers Forest section. Racing in the wheel of Van Aert, the Dutch champion suffered a puncture and was forced to stop. Compounding his misfortune, the replacement bike provided by teammate Jasper Philipsen did not suit him, and as he waited for his own machine to be repaired, a second puncture struck before he could even leave the cobbled sector. By the time he resumed racing, the leading group had built an advantage of nearly two minutes. Pogačar had also earlier suffered a puncture with around 120 kilometres remaining, requiring a bike change from a neutral service vehicle before ploegmates could bring him back to the front group.

With Van der Poel neutralised, Van Aert seized the initiative on a challenging cobbled section, accelerating sharply and taking only Pogačar with him. The two riders, representing the sport's very highest level, worked together at the front and entered the Roubaix velodrome with a 30-second gap over the pursuit group. On the track, Van Aert proved the stronger finisher, sprinting clear of Pogačar by a comfortable margin to take his maiden Monument victory in this race. He had previously finished second in 2022 and third in 2023.

The result underlines the extraordinary dominance of the current generation's top three — Van Aert, Pogačar and Van der Poel — over the classics scene. For Van Aert, who has faced injury setbacks in recent seasons, the win completes his collection of Spring Classic victories and cements his status as one of the sport's most complete riders. Dutch riders Tim van Dijke and Mike Teunissen also finished in the top ten, in sixth and tenth place respectively.