The 114th edition of Paris-Roubaix, which will start this Sunday morning in Compiègne, could become a battle of generations symbolized by the potential skirmish between three-time winner Fabian Cancellara and the young world champion, Peter Sagan. But aside from these two super-stars, the race is wide open…

One is embarking on his farewell tour; the other rode an amazing race to enter the circle of classics’ winners. The veteran won for the first time ten years ago at the age of 26 at Roubaix, the new boy was over the moon last week when he wore the rainbow jersey on his way to victory on the Tour of Flanders… at precisely the age of 26! Everything seems to indicate that the passing of the baton is underway between Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan, who have often shared the podium on the spring classics, on Milan-San Remo, at GP E3 or on the “Ronde” (as early as 2013, then in the reverse order last Sunday). Thus the time has come for the tiebreaker between the two champions, who are the heavy pre-race favourites for the Queen of Classics, to be able to both show their superiority and avoid all the pitfalls that eliminated many of their rivals on the Flemish roads over the past few days…

The awaited duel on the cobblestones this coming Sunday could very well be upturned by a good number of contenders. While his participation as is his current state of health has been called into question following a fall on the Tour of Flanders, Arnaud Démare hasn’t given up on his quest for the Milan-San Remo - Paris-Roubaix double. France’s other hopes will be carried by SylvainChavanel, Sébastien Turgot and Florian Sénéchal. Close attention must also be paid to Alexander Kristoff, who has looked good, but not dominating so far this season, and who is capable of creating a surprise, like Lars Boom. The challenge of creating a surprise will also be the goal of four-time Paris-Roubaix winner, Tom Boonen, who is now in the twilight of his brilliant career. Unless the role as the all-important road captain has already been determined for Tony Martin, the winner of last year’s d’Arenberg stage on the Tour de France, will be in the hunt for the victory as will 2015 podium finisher Zdenek Stybar. A finish in the top spots will also be sought after by riders that are less consistent and decisive on Paris-Roubaix, like EdvaldBoasson Hagen, Mark Cavendish, André Greipel and Luke Rowe.

25 teams, the main riders :

South Africa

Team Dimension Data: Boasson Hagen (Nor), Cavendish (Gbr), Eisel (Aut)

Germany

Team Giant-Alpecin: Arndt (Ger), Sinkeldam (Nld)

Bora-Argon 18: Bennett (Irl), Matzka (Ger)

Australia

Orica GreenEdge: Durbridge (Aus), Keukeleire (Bel)

Belgium

Etixx-Quick Step: Boonen (Bel), Martin (Deu), Stybar (Cze), Terpstra

Lotto-Soudal: Greipel (Deu), Roelandts (Bel)

Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise: Declercq, Van Speybrouck (Bel)

Wanty-Groupe Gobert: Marcato (Ita)

United States

BMC Racing Team: Burghardt (Deu), Phinney (Usa)

Cannondale: Langeveld, Van Baarle (Nld)

Trek-Segafredo: Cancellara (Che), Devolder (Bel)

Spain

Movistar Team: Lobato, Ventoso (Esp)

France

AG2R La Mondiale: Gaudin, Turgot (Fra)

Cofidis, Solutions Crédit: Bozic (Slo), Sénéchal (Fra)

Direct Energie: Chavanel, Petit (Fra)

FDJ: Démare, Offredo (Fra)

Delko Marseille Provence KTM: Martinez (Fra), Siskevicius (Ltu)

Fortuneo-Vital Concept: Hutarovich (Blr), Mourey (Fra)

Great Britain

Team Sky: Stannard, Rowe (Gbr), Viviani (Ita)

Italy

Lampre-Merida: Cimolai (Ita)

Kazakhstan

Astana Pro Team: Boom, Westra (Nld)

The Netherlands

Team Lotto NL-Jumbo: Tjallingii (Nld), Vanmarcke (Bel)

Russia

Team Katusha: Kristoff (Nor), Morkov (Dnk)

Tinkoff: Sagan (Svk)

Switzerland

IAM Cycling: Haussler (Aus)