Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2023: Alison Jackson takes shock win as breakaway land mission impossible

Alison Jackson (EF Education–Tibco–SVB) produced a seismic shock to win Paris-Roubaix Femmes as the breakaway held off a chasing group packed with pre-race favourites. The seven-strong alliance saw their lead slashed to just 10 seconds at one point as they arrived on the final section of cobblestones with 1.4km remaining, but they went down swinging and held on to reach the famous Roubaix Velodrome with a slender advantage as a sprint beckoned.

Ad Marta Lach (Ceratizit–WNT Pro Cycling) led the unlikely group through the bell as Femke Markus, the sole SD Worx rider in the front pack, suffered a heartbreaking crash to rule her out. And it was Canada's Jackson who prevailed in a thrilling dash to the line as Katia Ragusa (Liv Racing TeqFind) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) claimed second and third respectively to complete the most implausible podium.

Paris — Roubaix'Massive crash!' — Carnage as Longo Borghini slips on mud to wipe out rivals4 HOURS AGO Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), who had recovered magnificently from a crash caused by defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo), led the chasers across the line in seventh, with Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) 10th after a long and eventful slog in the saddle. When the live coverage started with 74km to go, an uncharacteristically large breakaway group made up of 18 riders had an impressive five-minute lead.

Minutes later, Team DSM’s Daniek Hengeveld launched her attack and subsequently managed to sustain her lead for a further 30km. While Hengeveld continued to lead, Vos dropped behind the peloton, who themselves were over five minutes behind the leader, after a puncture forced her to change bikes.