Koch claims Paris‑Roubaix Femmes

Franziska Koch won Paris‑Roubaix Femmes on April 12, beating Marianne Vos by less than a wheel in a velodrome sprint after 143.5 kilometers from Denain to Roubaix. (paris-roubaix-femmes.fr) Koch finished in 3 hours, 30 minutes, 16 seconds for FDJ United‑Suez, with Vos second and defending champion Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot third at six seconds. Lotte Kopecky took fourth at 1 minute, 30 seconds. (paris-roubaix-femmes.fr) The decisive move formed after the Mons‑en‑Pévèle cobbled sector, when Ferrand‑Prévot accelerated and only Koch, Vos and Blanka Vas could follow. Koch attacked again with 24 kilometers left, Vos matched her, and Ferrand‑Prévot rejoined before the Roubaix velodrome. (cyclingnews.com) Inside the track, Ferrand‑Prévot led out for Vos, but Koch came around on the back straight and held her line through the final bend to take the sprint. Cyclingnews reported that Vos briefly edged ahead before Koch came back at the line. (cyclingnews.com) Paris‑Roubaix Femmes is the women’s version of one of cycling’s oldest one‑day races, finishing on rough farm-road cobbles and the André‑Pétrieux velodrome in Roubaix. The women’s event was first held in 2021 after an initial 2020 calendar slot was canceled during the COVID‑19 pandemic. (cyclingnews.com) This 2026 edition was the sixth running, and race organizers said Koch became the sixth winner from a sixth different nation. The official race site listed 122 starters from 21 teams. (paris-roubaix-femmes.fr) The race also changed dates this year. After being held on the Saturday before the men’s race since its launch, Paris‑Roubaix Femmes moved to Sunday, April 12, 2026, on the same day as the men’s event. (velo.outsideonline.com) Race director Thierry Gouvenou said the switch was driven by security and budget constraints, with organizers arguing that one shared setup would be less restrictive for police and staff. (domestiquecycling.com) For Koch, the finish turned a three-rider tactical problem into the biggest win of her career. For Vos and Ferrand‑Prévot, Team Visma‑Lease a Bike had two riders in the final move and still left Roubaix without the cobblestone trophy. (cyclingnews.com)