Is Paris–Roubaix the most prestigious one-day bike race in the world? road.cc staff pick their favourite races

Paris–Roubaix is one of the oldest monuments in cycling, and as the queen of the Classics it's unsurprising that winning this prestigious event tops the wish list of many a pro rider. The third monument of the season and arguably the most recognisable event in the sport after the Tour de France is undeniably a big deal - but is it the one-day race that you'd most like to win? Here's what the road.cc staff reckon!

Tony Farrelly (road.cc co-founder)

Tony Paris Roubaix (credit: road.cc)

"I’m more into riding my bike than watching the races, but I’ve ridden the pavé sections a few times, and did half the sportive put on by the local cycling club back in 2007 with Mat (he did the whole course).

The race is more than just the pavé. The first bit is through some very rolling countryside and of course the velodrome at the end. So for me this race demands all the things that I’d want to be good at: the main one being excellent handling skills, and the other being mental and physical toughness. Riding the pave is really tough on your body, especially your hands.

The year we did the sportive, one of our companions - a much stronger rider than me - did it without gloves (cos he never wore ‘em) and after a few sections of cobbles his hands were a mess. He did finish though.

Dave Atkinson (road.cc co-founder)

Dave paris Roubaix (credit: road.cc)

Not everyone agrees though, Dave reckons the longest race of the Classic's takes the honours:

"One of my favourite parts of the world, an iconic finish... when they say "anyone can win it" I think they mean sprinters or climbers, but you never know, eh."

Mat Brett (road.cc tech editor)

Mat Paris Roubaix - 3 (credit: road.cc)

Another vote for Paris–Roubaix:

"With its brutal pavé, the whole idea of Paris–Roubaix is nuts, then you chuck in all of the history and prestige; it’s the ultimate tough-rider event."

Jack Sexty (road.cc editor)

jack paris Roubaix (credit: road.cc)

And another!

"Paris–Roubaix, because I think it's still the most prestigious and unique race on the cycling calendar.

"Riding away to victory on the Roubaix velodrome would be other-worldly, and it would only be matched by the feeling of raising my arms aloft on the Champs-Élysées. Then I wake up..."

Dan Alexander (road.cc news editor)

Dan Olympic road race (credit: road.cc)

Roubaix doesn't even make Dan's top 2!

"While my first instinct was 100% the Tour of Flanders, after a morning mulling it over I've instead landed on the Olympic Games road race.

"While Flanders would be my choice from cycling's Monuments and annual calendar of Classics, the Olympics transcends cycling and sport as a whole. Telling people down the pub that you won a gold medal would certainly be easier than trying to explain what the Ronde van Vlaanderen is. Plus I'd get to wear a golden helmet for the next four years, and hopefully one day be a pointless answer on a BBC quiz show."

Ryan Mallon (road.cc senior news writer & podcast guy)

Ryan Flanders press pass (credit: road.cc)

Ryan probably knows more about bike racing than anyone else I know. He also won't stop waving his Flander's press card about...

"The Tour of Flanders. Sorry, Sean Kelly.

"While skinny 15-year-old me may have entertained fanciful, downright delusional notions of winning the Tour of Lombardy in the rainbow jersey à la Tom Simpson, it’s clear now – power to weight considerations set aside – that the Tour of Flanders is cycling’s best and most important one-day race.

"De Ronde is everything that bike racing, and especially bike racing in Belgium, is about. An intoxicating (in more ways than one) rollercoaster ride through cycling’s last true heartland, it’s a race for the purists but also one that envelopes an entire people and place, a two-wheeled symbol of history, geography, and cultural identity.

"I’ll admit that I still prefer the old pre-2012 route – the run-in to Ninove was more nuanced and open than the current finish, and the Muur is the single greatest arena cycling has. But storming up the cobbles of the Oude Kwaremont through a sea of roaring, passionate fans, the sport’s toughest riders strewn in your wake? Surely there’s no better thrill in pro cycling. 

"Oh, and when you win, you can celebrate by eating lots of frites and drinking lots of beer. What’s not to love?"

Emily Tillett (road.cc tech writer)

emily olympic road race (credit: road.cc)

With a national title on the track to her name, Emily probably knows more about how it feels to throw your arms aloft on cycling's biggest stages better than most. She's siding with Dan though, and once again is shunning the Classics...

"If I could choose to win any one-day race, it would be the Olympic road race.

"Becoming an Olympic champion is something that’s recognised everywhere, even outside the cycling world. As much as I’d love to win a Classic like Paris–Roubaix or Flanders, the Olympics is something that everyone has heard of."

Rebecca Bland (road.cc and ebiketips tech writer)

rebecca Amstel gold race (credit: road.cc)

A rogue choice from Rebecca, who I must say is having a particularly good hair day today...

"Becaaaause it was the first pro women's race I watched and it's what got me hooked on road racing."

Fair enough!

Jamie Williams (I do videos and stuff)

Jamie World champs (credit: road.cc)

So what would I choose? Winning any bike race would make me quite happy, but I'm voting for something different to everyone else: the Road World Championships. 

Maybe it's the draw of the white shorts, or maybe it's being able to wear the stripes for every race on the road for the next year. In fact, you get to wear some rainbow stripes for the rest of your life. Not even the Olympics give you a reward like that!

Whatever we say, we're pretty sure that the winners of Paris–Roubaix at the weekend are going to be very happy - and rightly so, because it's the most prestigious one-day race in the world according to road.cc staff. 

Have your say in the comments below! Which one-day bike race would you most like to win, and are there any we've overlooked?