Last year's runner-up, Wout van Aert, did not have a great week. "The past three days, I didn't feel at my best. The crash in the Tour of Flanders might have had more of an impact than I first thought. Nevertheless, I was able to finish my training sessions as I wanted. I'm happy that my fitness is still there. I expect a long battle with several riders on Sunday, often in Roubaix."

On Thursday, Team Jumbo-Visma explored the course's last 100 kilometres. "To revisit the strips and all the roads is usually an excellent refresher. It is also the ultimate test for the material. Because of the heavy rain, it was muddy", said Van Aert. According to the weather forecast, a dry edition of the northern French classic awaits on Sunday.

For Christophe Laporte, Paris-Roubaix is a special race. "It's an important race that I love very much. So I want to do well there. It is a classic that cannot be compared to the Flemish races, which are full of hills. Although this one is entirely flat, it is still challenging. Some sections are bad, but that's normal. It's Roubaix", he says.

Last year's winner, Dylan van Baarle, will return on Sunday after missing Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders due to illness. "The last few weeks have not been easy, but I tried to stay calm and build up to Paris-Roubaix", the 30-year-old Dutchman said. "Luckily, I got fit again after a few good training days. I hope that will be enough to compete. It hurt that I wasn't in the Ronde, so I want to be there on Sunday to bring the cobbled trophy home with the team."

Last year, Van Baarle won Paris-Roubaix after a gruelling solo. "It's always nice to come to Roubaix, but after last year I'm looking forward to it even more. It will be a memorable moment when I pin that number one on the back of my jersey on Sunday."

The Jumbo-Visma squad for Paris-Roubaix includes Wout van Aert, Dylan van Baarle, Christophe Laporte, Nathan Van Hooydonck, Timo Roosen, Tim van Dijke and Edoardo Affini.