Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2021: A day in cycling history

Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2021: A day in cycling history

This year's Paris-Roubaix Femmes will be remembered as one of the most iconic races in living memory. Here's a gallery of our favourite images from a historic day


There aren't many days in cycling that could earn the status of a true moment in history. Today Paris-Roubaix marked the first women's edition of the race, and one of the most impressive solo victories the race has ever witnessed.

A picture tells a thousand words, and so here are some images that capture the unique chaos of the first women's Paris-Roubaix.

From the first cobbled sector, 38km into the race, Lizzie Deignan made her winning move – riding 80km solo to victory. Live coverage wasn't recording at the time, but Rouleur happened to be standing at the exact spot it took place.

Behind, an agitated Vos was in the group, presumably assuming it was a passing move.

By the 78km mark, at the Mons-en-Pévèle 5* pave section, the race had been truly blown to pieces.

World Champion Elisa Balsamo made her first appearance in the rainbow jersey, and was within the first (fragmented) batch of riders.

See some of the world's best riders at Rouleur Live this November

A wet velodrome welcomed the riders, for the first time in history, to the finish of a women's Paris-Roubaix.

Related – Lizzie Deignan's radical Paris-Roubaix bike

READ MORE

Illustration of Isaac del Toro in a UAE Team Emirates-XRG cap, set against the green, white and red of the Mexican flag

"People are thinking about their kids being the next Mexican top rider": Del Toro and the New Wave

Mexican cycling's decades in the doldrums look set to end, with 22-year-old superstar Isaac del Toro leading the charge and a reinvigorated federation aiming to...

Read more
Africa Rising: The next young riders chasing the wheels of giants

Africa Rising: The next young riders chasing the wheels of giants

African cycling has already given the sport Biniam Girmay and Kim Le Court. Jeremy Ford picks the Next Ten – ten riders aged 23 or...

Read more
Illustration of Lance Armstrong in cycling kit holding yellow jerseys, standing in a dark archway — by Enric Adell

Lance Armstrong's Hollywood return: inside the Austin Butler biopic

A forthcoming Austin Butler biopic puts Lance Armstrong centre stage once again. The man the Tour de France would rather forget refuses to go quietly....

Read more
Amy and Kyle Hudson sit together on a sofa with their dog, looking at a laptop.

'A few years ago I didn't want to be here, now I'm riding around the world': Amy and Kyle Hudson's record-breaking ride

Amy Hudson got a bike four years ago to lift her depression. And it changed her life. Now she and husband Kyle are attempting to...

Read more
Like, share, subscribe: How social media is reshaping professional cycling

Like, share, subscribe: How social media is reshaping professional cycling

Social media posts from pro riders are part and parcel of the job these days — but not all of them get it right. What...

Read more
Hannah Barnes waving in the British champion's jersey on the Tour de Yorkshire podium, alongside a Canyon-SRAM teammate

'There's a lot more to agency work than contracts' — Hannah Barnes and a fresh approach to rider management

The former professional cyclist now works for major football and cycling talent agency, SEG, and is using her experience to ensure that euros never take...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE