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The 117th edition of the Paris-Roubaix arrives this Sunday more unpredictable than ever, and that’s saying a lot. Also known as Hell in the North or as the Queen of the Classics, the third monument of the year marks the end of the pavés season, and it is really a grand finale. The route is 257 km, and 54 of them are disputed over the caracteristic straight cobblestone sections, which are in different states of conservation. L_es amis de la Paris-Roubaix_ is an association of fans dedicated to the restoration of the pavés, respecting the traditional way of construction: only stone and mud. Because it is disputed north of Paris on the second Sunday of April (just a week after the Ronde Van Vlaanderen), if it does not rain the same day of the race, it’s been raining the preceding days. Mud, punctures, rain, dust, mechanical problems and accidents give the Paris-Roubaix an epic and unpredictable air that has no other race in the world.

As it can not be won without strength and power, it is not possible to bring Paris-Roubaix without tactical instinct, good placement and lots of luck. Sometimes it seems almost an elimination test, where the cyclists are left behind and the group is gradually reduced, by natural selection.

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It is no secret that neither the reigning champion Peter Sagan (1200), nor Greg Van Avermaet (1200) nor even Phillippe Gilbert (800) are living their best spring, but in the Queen of the Classics experience is a big help, and all three of them have a thousand battles in their legs.

The Czech Zdeněk Štybar (800) seemed to be the strongest man of the season, winning the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 BincBank Classic. In Ronde Van Vlaanderen, however, he disappeared very early, leaving many doubts. Afterwards the race he said on his twitter that he had suffered some health problems. After all, and without making much noise, who looks better from the all-time favorites is Alexander Kristoff (1200). This spring he won the Gent-Wevelgem and was third in Ronde Van Vlaanderen, winning the group sprint.

Other names that are in all bets are Oliver Naesen (800), Wout Van Aert (400), Tiesj Benoot (800), John Degenkolb (800), Matteo Trentin (800), Dylan van Baarle (600), Sep Vanmarcke ( 600), Magnus Cort Nielsen (800), Jasper Stuyven (1000), Silvan Dillier (600), Kasper Asgreen (200), Nils Politt (400) or Sebastian Langeveld (200).

It's a real shame that neither Mathieu Van der Poel (200) nor Alberto Bettiol (200), champion this week in Flanders, are going to dispute it, as both would be serious candidates to become legend in the velodrome of Roubaix, the mythological cycling temple that welcomes the arrival since 1943.