🎥 Junior Paris-Roubaix marred by heavy crash with spectator as multi-talent Wiersma wins

The junior race at Paris-Roubaix was won on Sunday afternoon by Thijs Wiersma. The 18-year-old Dutchman from JEGG-SKIL-DJR — which has a partnership with Visma | Lease a Bike — rode away from his fellow breakaway companions with 7 kilometres to go, after two of them crashed heavily following contact with a spectator on a cobbled sector.

Wiersma was still racing full tilt on the ice this winter. He set a junior world record over the 3,000 metres and collected a haul of medals at the World Championships. In March, he made the switch to the bike, having already completed a full road season for JEGG-SKIL-DJR in 2025.

Wiersma began 2026 with a sixteenth place at the Guido Reybrouck Classic and then finished second at the junior E3 Saxo Classic. At Paris-Roubaix, the young Dutchman was again at the front and struck the decisive blow with 7 kilometres remaining. Wiersma rode clear of South African Dean Woolley and compatriot Gijs Winters.

The finale of junior Paris-Roubaix was marred by a heavy crash involving Frenchman Soren Bruyère Joumard, who was riding at the front alongside Winters and Woolley with 16 kilometres to go. Joumard took a risk by riding in the gutter alongside the cobbles and could not avoid a spectator standing behind the tape. Winters crashed over the top of him.

Wiersma came through the crash with Woolley and the recovered Winters, then rode clear. Germany's Karl Herzog came second, ahead of Frenchman Alban Picard. Winters still managed a fine fifth place despite the crash.

17-year old American Enzo Hincapie, son of ex-professional George, managed a strong 6th place. George Hincapie finished 2nd in the 2005 edition, giving him the title of highest-placing American in the history of the race. Hincapie Snr managed seven top-10 finishes at the Hell of the North, finishing 4th (twice), 6th (twice), 8th, and 9th.

With a fine top 10 finish at just 17-yerars old, perhaps Hincapie Jnr will one day be in a position to take his father's title.

With a fine top 10 finish at just 17, perhaps Hincapie Jnr will one day take his father's title.