Briton Lizzie Deignan, the first winner after a solo raid of some 80 kilometers, is missing due to a maternity break.

But her runner-up, the Dutch Marianne Vos (Jumbo), is present at the start of Denain (North) as is the Belgian Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), victorious in the recent Tour of Flanders.

The joy of Briton Lizzie Deignan, winner of the 1st edition of Paris-Roubaix, in front of Dutch Marianne Vos (g) and Italian Elisa Longo Borghini, on October 2, 2021 at the Roubaix velodrome FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP / Archives

The dry weather, which contrasts with the rain and mud of last autumn, changed the situation in favor of the riders, such as the Dutchwoman Ellen van Dijk (Trek) and the Australian Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

On the other hand, the course remains identical with regard to the 29.2 kilometers of cobblestones - the last 17 sectors of the men's race - for a total distance slightly greater than last year (124.7 km against 116.4 km) .

If the Dutch Annemiek van Vleuten, seriously injured last year (double fracture of the pelvis), has given up tempting fate, Vos intends to complete her very rich record with a new pearl.

The Dutchwoman from the Jumbo team skipped the Amstel Gold Race Ladies last Sunday to put all the trump cards on her side.

The joy of Dutch Marianne Vos, after winning the Ghent-Wevelgem classic, March 28, 2021 DAVID STOCKMAN BELGA/AFP/Archives

In the absence of Deignan, Trek aligns the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini, 3rd in 2021, and her world champions, Ellen van Dijk (time trial) and the Italian Elisa Balsamo (road race), who admits to be still marked by the experience of last October, "a very difficult and crazy day".

"I think I need a few more years to improve on such a race," said Balsamo (24).

But is age a handicap?

At 22, the Danish Emma Norsgaard (Movistar) has no complex to feed.

His sixth place last year is more than a promise in a race whose prices have fortunately been increased (20,000 euros for the winner against … 1,535 euros in 2021).

© 2022 AFP