AG Insurance - Soudal ready for Paris-Roubaix challenge

AG Insurance - Soudal ready for Paris-Roubaix challenge

With one day to go until Paris-Roubaix Femmes Hauts-de-France, AG Insurance - Soudal is set to take on one of the most iconic and demanding races on the calendar, bringing a motivated and well-balanced squad to the cobbles of Northern France.

Sports director Stijn Steels already highlighted the team’s ambitions earlier this week:

“We know how special and demanding Paris-Roubaix is. It’s a race where positioning, strength and a bit of luck all come together. We’re going there with a strong team and the ambition to be part of the final.”

 

During the recon, the riders already got a first taste of the demanding course, with positive sensations on the cobbles.

“The recon went well, and I had a good feeling on the cobbles,” said Shari Bossuyt, who is looking forward to Sunday’s race.

Paris-Roubaix remains one of the most unique races of the season, and this year’s edition is expected to bring an even bigger atmosphere, with multiple races taking place on the same day.

“It will definitely be busy with all the spectators. It’s something new for us, as in previous years we raced on Saturday with fewer people around. Now, there will be a lot more fans staying, which will make the atmosphere even more special.”

For Bossuyt, the race holds a particular appeal, both sporting and personal:

“It’s a course that really suits me, cobbles and a flat parcours. I just enjoy riding on the cobbles. And it also feels a bit like a home race for me, as the finish is only about 30 minutes from where I grew up.”

As always in Roubaix, the outcome will depend on a combination of strength, positioning and resilience, but also on the ability to seize the right moments.

“I’ll be satisfied if I can get a strong result and feel like I gave everything out there,” Bossuyt added.

 

Letizia Borghesi, who impressed with a podium finish last year, is also looking forward to lining up in Roubaix once again, despite a disrupted preparation.

“The recon went well. I really enjoy racing on the cobbles, it’s one of my favourite Classics, so it’s always a special feeling to be back on this course.”

The Italian rider had to abandon the Tour of Flanders due to illness, which affected her build-up to this weekend: “I felt really good during Dwars door Vlaanderen and I wanted to continue that momentum into the next races, but unfortunately I got sick. It wasn’t the ideal preparation, but sometimes these things happen and are out of your control.”

Borghesi returns to a race where she achieved a remarkable result last season, finishing second: “In the lead-up to the race, I’ve been seeing a lot of throwbacks from last year, and that brings back really nice memories. On that day, I felt like I could just keep going, and finishing second was a great reward.”

With strong emotions attached to Paris-Roubaix, she is eager to take on the challenge once again: “What makes this race so special is the atmosphere. There are always a lot of fans along the course, and this year it will be even bigger with four races on the same day. I can’t wait to give everything together with the team on the cobbles all the way to Roubaix.”

 

With confidence building and motivation high, AG Insurance - Soudal heads into Paris-Roubaix ready to embrace the challenge and fight for a place in the final on the iconic French cobbles.