Tadej Pogačar has built his reputation on rewriting cycling history, and 2025 could see him take on yet another challenge—Paris-Roubaix.

The reigning World Champion is already set to return to the Flemish Classics, with the Tour of Flanders confirmed for April 6. But a recent reconnaissance ride through the infamous Arenberg Forest, the brutal cobbled sector that defines Paris-Roubaix, has sparked speculation that he might add the Hell of the North to his already ambitious schedule.

He posted a video shot by teammate Tim Wellens on Instagram indicating he might be up for the hellish challenge.

Would it be a surprise? Maybe. But Pogačar isn’t afraid of a challenge—just look at what he did last year.

A Season For The Ages

2024 was a year that cemented Pogačar as one of the all-time greats. He won both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, becoming the first rider to do so in 26 years—a feat last achieved in 1998. Then, as if that weren’t enough, he went on to win the World Championships later that summer.

So, why not take that rainbow jersey and smash the cobbles of northern France?

Pogačar has never raced Paris-Roubaix at the elite level, but he’s no stranger to the stones. He rode the race twice as a junior, finishing 30th in 2015 and improving to 13th in 2016. More recently, he thrived on the cobbled stage of the 2022 Tour de France, finishing seventh on the day and gaining time on Jonas Vingegaard.

Still, Pogačar has always been hesitant about Paris-Roubaix, saying in December that he wasn’t sure if 2025 was the right year. “It’s not a final decision. Maybe I can still do it, but I don’t think it suits me the very best,” he admitted.

But if anyone can adapt, it’s Pogačar.

Why It Could Happen

Pogačar’s confirmed race schedule already includes a heavy mix of cobbled and hilly one-day races, with E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem, and the Tour of Flanders all on his calendar (April 6, the week Paris-Roubaix). If he’s already training on the pavé, why not go all the way and take on Roubaix?

“Please no,” responded former-teammate and good friend Jasper Philipsen to the Instagram post.

His biggest rivals—Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert—will be there. The opportunity to test himself against them in the ultimate cobbled showdown might be too tempting to resist.

Van Aert, in particular, desperately wants a Roubaix win after years of heartbreak. Could Pogačar crash the Belgian’s party?

What’s Next?

If Pogačar skips Paris-Roubaix, his focus will shift to the Ardennes Classics before heading into Tour de France preparation. But if he lines up in Compiègne on April 13, we could witness one of the boldest moves of his career.

Either way, Pogačar isn’t done surprising us.

Will he take on the Hell of the North? Stay tuned.