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From Flanders Fever to Roubaix Fears

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM - APRIL 05: (L-R) Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at podium as race winners during the 23rd Tour of Flanders 2026 - Ronde van Vlaanderen - Women's Elite a 164.1km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde / #UCIWWT / on April 05, 2026 in Oudenaarde, Belgium. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

From the electric crowds of Flanders to the brutal cobbles of Roubaix, this episode of the SBS Cycling Podcast blends race insight, personal stories, and expert analysis as Christophe Mallet, Grace Brown, and Dave McKenzie set the scene for one of the biggest weeks in cycling.


n this episode of the SBS Cycling Podcast, Christophe Mallet is joined by Grace Brown and Dave McKenzie to unpack the spectacle of the Tour of Flanders and look ahead to the looming challenge of Paris-Roubaix. The conversation captures the unique energy of Flanders, where passionate roadside crowds, unpredictable racing, and tactical positioning combine to create one of the sport’s most captivating days.

I think we could even see an "Alison Jackson-esque" victory

Grace brings a deeply personal angle on the race and Macka describes the tension, chaos, and constant tactical shifts that make Flanders so enthralling for commentators and viewers alike. Together, they explore how strategy, placement in the peloton, and race intuition often matter as much as raw strength.

It's such a cool race. And I think the feeling when you get into the velodrome is so unique

The focus then turns to Paris-Roubaix, its storied history, punishing cobbled sectors, and the technological details that can decide the outcome, from tyre pressure to bike setup. With several top contenders absent, the field appears unusually open in both the men’s and women’s races, prompting lively predictions from Grace and Macka.


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