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The 2024 Paris-Roubaix Femmes was characterised by a titanic battle between the world's best, played out on the farm tracks of northern France.
In the end, the lasting memory will be the seldom-seen iconic image of a rainbow jersey clad rider delivering the victory salute inside Roubaix's open-air velodrome. Belgium's Lotte Kopecky made history as the first woman to achieve that feat.
Along the way, however, are pictures of the many stories that Paris-Roubaix tells each time the race is run – stories of misfortune, pain, and relief all set to the backdrop of cycling's most feared cobbled sectors.
Photographer Chris Auld captured some of the race's most characterful moments, and below are some of our favourite shots from the Hell of the North.
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All eyes were on the world champion before the start in Denain
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A lighter moment before the carnage for riders from Lifeplus-Wahoo
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Before the cobbles, time for some photos with the fans
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Liv-AlUla-Jayco's Teniel Campbell has ridden all four editions of Paris-Roubaix Femmes
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Pfeiffer Georgi (dsm-firmenich-Post NL) looking focussed before the start
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The bike belonging to Chinese national champion Luyao Zeng (Winspace)
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Some riders tried used strapping on their fingers and hands to help ease the vibrations of the cobbles
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Cobbles, cobbles and more cobbles on the cue-sheet for the day
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Lorena Wiebes would play a key support role on the day for her SD Worx-Protime team-mate Lotte Kopecky
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The peloton stretched across the road in an early part of the race
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Time for some pavé
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As soon as the race hit the cobbles, the favourites moved to the front of the bunch
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Most of the raced seemed a blur, as a strong tailwind pushed the riders northward towards Roubaix
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20 years on from her father's victory in the men's race, it was a break-out performance by Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM), who finished in 16th place
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Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) takes care to avoid the wet part of the cobbles
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World Champion Kopecky came alive whenever the race hit the rough stuff
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Many fans came out to see if the world champion could win her first Roubaix
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The favourites fly past a farm building
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It's tough out the back on the cobbles
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Local rider and French national champion Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) was impressive over her home roads, finishing in 8th place
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Sophie von Berswordt put in a lot of work for her Visma-Lease a Bike leader Vos in the second half of the race
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Wiebes looked strong on the cobbles throughout the race
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Jade Wiel (FDJ-Suez) put in an impressive attack
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The leading six preparing to sprint for the cobblestone trophy
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After 148.5km and 17 cobbled sectors, the riders gave it everything in the final dash
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World Champion, Queen of the Classics
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Wiel takes a moment to rest after a tough day on the bike
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Former Roubaix champion Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) smiling as ever after crossing the line
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Finishing relief for riders from Ceratizit-WNT
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The hands can take a real bruising over the cobblestones
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Maëlle Grossetête (Human Powered Health) stares into the distance after finishing 34th
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Pfeiffer Georgi was delighted with her place on the podium
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Balsamo initially looked heartbroken after being passed in the final metres, but was pleased with her second-place after time to reflect
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Kopecky, Balsamo and Georgi on the podium of the fourth Paris-Roubaix Femmes
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Kopecky admires her first cobblestone trophy