The Paris-Roubaix one-day classic race is known as The Hell of the North, and is regarded as the queen of the Classics. Unlike the smaller and more tightly-packed cobblestones of the Tour of Flanders which give the riders a somewhat smoother ride, the cobblestones of this race are larger and rougher, and represent a tougher overall challenge for the riders. The weather forecast is for cold, overcast skies, with some light winds. However, given the nature of this famous pave, especially in the forest of Arenberg, some moisture is likely to seep out from within the cracks, and make conditions tricky for the riders’ thin tyres.

T Boonen $2.37 

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

2nd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
42nd Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
22nd Milan-SanRemo
1st E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
1st Gent-Wevelgem
1st Tour of Flanders

Has won this race three times: 2005, 2008, 2009. In the year of his first win, he also had won the Tour of Flanders – a rare double in the sport of elite mens’ cycling which he can repeat again this time. Is confident in his sprint, will make selective moves when necessary, and not many will be capable of going with him when he makes his super-attack. Commands the highest respect. Standout rider in the peloton. Best bet.

F Pozzato $8.50

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

6th Milan-SanRemo
6th Dwars door Vlaanderen
27th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
9th Gent-Wevelgem
2nd Tour of Flanders

Too relaxed in his style of riding. Needs to be more attacking to have any chance of resting on the podium. Drifting in the betting. Treat warily.

Syl Chavanel $12.00

38th Paris-Roubaix 2011

2nd Dwars door Vlaanderen
33rd E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
10th Tour of Flanders

Under the odds. No value. Will be amongst the selective moves and will offer a good sight. Honest campaigner. One of the main contenders. Consider closely.

A Ballan $13.00

6th Paris-Roubaix 2011

8th Milan-SanRemo
9th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
22nd Gent-Wevelgem
3rd Tour of Flanders

Looks strong and must be treated warily. Fair value for an EACH-WAY result. Warrants very close consideration. The obvious danger.

T Hushovd $19.00

8th Paris-Roubaix 2011

DNF E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
48th Gent-Wevelgem
55th Tour of Flanders

Highly fancied rider with some tipsters for this race, he nevertheless represents very poor value. Last start; he had opportunities which he didn’t develop and which he didn’t make work for him. Has it all before him here, and will suitably need a lot of luck. Drifting in the betting. Worth the risk. Discount.

J A Flecha $19.00

9th Paris-Roubaix 2011

3rd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
20th Tour of Flanders

Poor value. Dangerous contender. Difficult to discount. Take on trust.

J Degenkolb $21.00

19th Paris-Roubaix 2011

5th Milan-SanRemo
6th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke

Strong German sprinter who may struggle over some of the obstacles. Worth some consideration. Take on trust.

E Boasson Hagen $17.00

25th Milan-SanRemo
16th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
5th Gent-Wevelgem
19th Tour of Flanders

Last start; he had every chance to bridge the gap to the decisive three-man breakaway and ultimately failed. Looked strong prior to that, but will need a lot of luck here, and again other more fancied riders have better prospects. Worth the risk. Overlook.

M Breschel $19.00

11th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
3rd at Gent-Wevelgem
9th Tour of Flanders

Looked good two starts ago when he attacked on a cobbled climb. Last start; looked good again by hanging tough with the chasers. Fair EACH-WAY value. One of the main contenders. Worthy of close consideration. Don’t dismiss.

S Vanmarcke $23.00

20th Paris-Roubaix 2011

1st Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
7th Dwars door Vlaanderen
5th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
48th Tour of Flanders

Last start; fair effort as it looked to be a strong test for this race. Strong attacker in good form. One of the main contenders. Warrants very close consideration. Good EACH-WAY prospects in this race. Don’t overlook.

N Terpstra $34.00

1st Dwars door Vlaanderen
25th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
6th Tour of Flanders

Last start; excellent performance after doing some good work and finishing strongly. Has the ability to win this race. Warrants very close consideration for an EACH-WAY result. Don’t overlook.

J Van Summeren $34.00

1st Paris-Roubaix 2011
81st Milan-SanRemo
DNF E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
11th Gent-Wevelgem
49th Tour of Flanders

Good value for an EACH-WAY result for the defending champion. Last start; had a spill into the barriers close to the finish, but it wasn’t serious, and he’ll give a good sight here. Should be one of the main contenders. Consider closely.

T Farrar $51.00

28th Paris-Roubaix 2011
50th Dwars door Vlaanderen
55th Gent-Wevelgem
99th Tour of Flanders

Unlikely to be amongst the selective moves, and won’t trouble the fancied riders. Ignore.

L Boom $51.00

12th Paris-Roubaix 2011
32nd Milan-SanRemo
36th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
107th Gent-Wevelgem
DNF Tour of Flanders

Drifter in the betting. Not without a chance to find a strong EACH-WAY performance. Chances increase in wet conditions. Worthy of some consideration. Don’t
dismiss.

B Eisel $34.00

7th Paris-Roubaix 2011
54th Tour of Flanders

Solid in the betting. Some value. Take on trust.

A Greipel $41.00

21st Paris-Roubaix 2011
10th Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

Drifter in the betting. Question marks exist over his suitability here. May struggle over some of the obstacles. A top-30 result most likely. Take on trust.

D Bennati $51.00

10th Milan-SanRemo
6th Gent-Wevelgem
94th Tour of Flanders

Drifting in the betting. Not here. Ignore. 

D Oss $51.00

77th Paris-Roubaix 2011
9th Milan-SanRemo
16th Gent-Wevelgem
60th Tour of Flanders

Will struggle to compete with the best riders here. Ignore.

B Leukemans $41.00

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011
23rd Milan-SanRemo
19th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
14th Tour of Flanders

Last start; solid performance which looked like a good lead-in for here. Solid in the betting. Good value. Worthy of very close consideration. Expert over the pave. Treat as a genuine EACH-WAY prospect. Good chance to get on the podium.

B Cooke $41.00

22nd Paris-Roubaix 2011

A stage race beginning to the season may be a more comfortable fit going into this one-day classic race? Take on trust.

H Haussler $67.00

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

102nd Dwars door Vlaanderen
93rd E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
30th Tour of Flanders

Significant drifter in the betting. May find the strength to get amongst the selective moves. Improving, and chances improve in wet conditions. Difficult to discount for a top-10 result. Worth some consideration, but others better. Take on trust.

S Devolder $51.00

105th Paris-Roubaix 2011

45th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
DNF Tour of Flanders

Isn’t doing enough to suggest he will strike a rich vein of form and get amongst the moves, here. Ignore.

JJ Rojas $67.00

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

Later. Not suited by the conditions and circuit, and will struggle over the obstacles. Ignore.

T Gallopin $81.00

24th Tour of Flanders

Drifter in the betting. The young Frenchman will not figure in the finish, at this stage. Overlook.

M Goss $126.00

15th Milan-SanRemo
12th Gent-Wevelgem
DNF Tour of Flanders

Question marks exist over his suitability here. Significant drifter in the betting, and continues to drift. Discount.

L Duque $67.00

54th Paris-Roubaix 2011

4th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke

A mainly stage race rider from Colombia, is new here. Overlook.

M Tjallingii $81.00

3rd Paris-Roubaix 2011

Drifter in the betting. Not fancied to repeat last year’s performance. Overlook.

D Hondo $81.00

98th Paris-Roubaix 2011

29th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
34th Tour of Flanders

The German old-timer is new here, and will unlikely to be mentioned by name once throughout the entire race by the commentators. Ignore.

M Iglinskiy $67.00

23rd Tour of Flanders

Some value, and as a result worth some consideration, but an unlikely contender at this stage. Take on trust.

S O’Grady $67.00

1st Paris-Roubaix 2007
DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

DNF Tour of Flanders

The likeable Aussie statesman of the sport is sadly without a chance, especially since he’ll be guiding his younger and more inexperienced team-mates along the way. Overlook.

LY Bak $101.00

5th Paris-Roubaix 2011

Not much form to observe. One for the saver should he make an appearance in his bar-room-brawler style of riding at odds. Take on trust.

M Hayman $126.00

21st Paris-Roubaix 2009
24th Paris-Roubaix 2010
10th Paris-Roubaix 2011

Highly experienced over this trip and over the cobbles, and as a result he warrants some close consideration for a podium position. Good EACH-WAY value. Don’t discount.

M Marcato $81.00

6th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
26th Milan-SanRemo
18th E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke
7th Gent-Wevelgem
29th Tour of Flanders

Fair form so far, and he may find himself in a few selective moves with the opportunity to make things happen for himself, in his chances of finishing in the top-10. Difficult to discount. Take on trust.

G Rast $101.00

11th Paris-Roubaix 2010
4th Paris-Roubaix 2011

11th Tour of Flanders

Take on trust.

G Steegmans $81.00

DNF Paris-Roubaix 2011

25th Gent-Wevelgem
DNF Tour of Flanders

Another DNF result is likely here after he spends his workhorse-like energy on his team-mates’ chances, and gets a ride to the finish in the team car. Discount his podium chances on account of his domestique role within his team.

L Westra $67.00

DNF Tour of Flanders

Firmer in the betting. Some good results in early season stage races, but this is much more difficult. Top-25 would be a good result. Take on trust.

I Stannard $201.00

36th Paris-Roubaix 2011

57th Tour of Flanders

A similar result to last year’s finish is most likely. Ignore.

C Sutton 251.00

DNF Tour of Flanders

Inexperienced, and will find this beyond his ability at this stage. Overlook.

My selections:

1: T Boonen
2: N Terpstra
3: J Van Summeren
Roughie: M Hayman