Prior to the pro race, the U23 riders rode their Paris-Roubaix. The riders set off in Le Cateau and Cambrésis for a 164-kilometre ride. Along the way, 24 cobbled sections had to be completed. After a day at the front, Huising crossed the finish line in the Roubaix velodrome as eleventh.

"It was a typical edition of Paris-Roubaix," Huising said afterwards. "From the first cobbled section, chaos reigned. It was important to stay calm, which I did. In the end, I ended up with Colby and Dario in the chasing group behind the three leaders. Both Colby and Dario experienced bad luck, leaving me as the only Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development rider. With four kilometres to go I tried a solo chase on the leaders, but I was caught just before reaching the velodrome. Sprinting for fourth place was unfortunately out of question."

Sports director Maarten Wynants, who has started the classic 12 times as a professional rider, looks back on a day full of learnings for his U23 riders. "We were well represented at the front of the race, but unfortunately we had a bad luck day. Fortunately, Menno was spared, which resulted in a fine place of honour."

"Achieving a good result is always great, but in races like this the most important thing is the experience the guys gain," the Belgian continued. "We had prepared them well for this Paris-Roubaix. In January we already rode the last hundred kilometres. Last week we explored the first sectors, which were slippery. We also tried to give them tips on material and tyre pressure."

"Riding a race like Paris-Roubaix is hugely important during the riders' development. Some guys are prepared this way to contest cobbled classics in the future. Other riders will encounter cobbled races in stage races," he concluded.