2021 Paris-Roubaix: A Muddy Recap For the Books

After two and a half years, the 2021 Paris-Roubaix is back and has officially concluded with a new winner crowned. As expected, this year's race did not disappoint and neither did first ever running of Paris-Roubaix Femmes – the  women’s edition of one of cycling’s most beloved races. 

It had almost been two decades since the the dirt-soaked cobblestones made for such a truly unforgettable spectacle. This year, Paris-Roubaix forced riders to dig deeper than ever before if they wanted a shot at conquering the Hell of the North. Like many of the years before, this unique and awe-inspiring race forces the best riders in the world to battle head to head in a true show of heart, skill, and determination.

While there are always traditionally grueling stretches of the course that make or break the day like the Arenberg Forest -- a section of cobblestone road under large overstretching trees that riders enter at upwards of 60k/m speeds, this year weather had other plans.

First up was the historic Paris-Roubaix Femmes, where Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) dominated a field of 129 riders, punching her name into the cycling history books with 82.5 km attack that began just before the 17 pavé sectors. This historic attack solidified a gap of 2:40 minutes as she pulled away from the crumbling peloton pulling into the velodrome victorious. 

Given the 257.7 km race is often challenging enough with 30 ruthless cobblestone sections, the 2021 rain, mud, and waterlogged streets added new challenges for the field of world-class riders. Slips and crashes became the norm, as experienced veterans and favorites like Peter Sagan and Wout van Aert suffered collisions that respectively took them of winning contention.

They were not alone, as countless riders left the race due to physical and mechanical issues. These conditions left Mathieu Van der Poel, Florian Vermeersch, and the Italian rider Sonny Colbrelli riding as a group of three exiting the Carrefour de l'Arbre as Gianni Moscon fell further behind, succumbing to a flat tire and slide out on a cobblestone corner.

In true Paris-Roubaix fashion, the mens race saw Van der Poel, Vermeersch, and Colbrelli all traveled straight into the town, entering the Velodrome where the trio battled one and a half laps around the track in front of a cheering crowd.

With great poise, determination, and skill, the Italian rider Sonny Colbrelli eventually pushed through other riders to victory. A huge accomplishment and win, especially as the first Italian rider in twenty-two years to win at Paris-Roubaix. 

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