2023 Paris-Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix 2023: A Race Of Records

Paris-Roubaix 2023: A Race Of Records

The records and winners, looking ahead to Paris-Roubaix 2023.

Apr 5, 2023 by Gregor Brown
Paris-Roubaix: The Hardest Day Of Racing

Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest and most prestigious one-day cycling races in the world. Known as "The Hell of the North," the race has earned a reputation for its grueling and treacherous cobbled sections, which can shake even the toughest of riders. Over the years, the race has produced many memorable moments and remarkable feats, including some impressive records. Here are some of the notable records in the history of Paris-Roubaix.


Two riders have won Paris-Roubaix four times each: Roger De Vlaeminck (1972, 1974, 1975, 1977) and Tom Boonen (2005, 2008, 2009, 2012), making them the most successful riders in the history of the race.

Raymond Impanis, Servais Knaven, and Mathew Hayman share the record for most races completed by a rider with 16 appearances each. Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle and Roger De Vlaeminck follow closely with 15 and 14 appearances, respectively. But the record for the most participations (including those not completed) goes to Raymond Poulidor. He holds the record for most Paris-Roubaix races participated in, with 18 appearances from 1960 to 1977. Although he never won the race, he achieved a best finish of fifth in 1962.

Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle remains the oldest rider to have won Paris-Roubaix, achieving the feat at the age of 38 years and 8 months in 1993.

Eddy Merckx holds the record for the largest winning margin in postwar Paris-Roubaix, beating Roger De Vlaeminck by 5 minutes and 21 seconds in 1970. But the closest came in 1990 when Eddy Planckaert beat Steve Bauer by just one centimeter!

In 1919, Henri Pélissier won "slowest" Paris-Roubaix in 12 hours and 15 minutes. The roads were devastated by World War I, and the race was especially difficult that year. The fastest was in 2022, won by Dylan van Baarle with an average speed of 45.79 km/h (28.45 mph) over 257.2 kilometers.

Dirk Demol holds the record for the longest victorious break in Paris-Roubaix history. In 1988, he broke away from the peloton and rode 222 kilometers (138 miles) to victory.

FloBikes has the women's race live for Canada this Saturday and the men's Sunday.