{"id":238243,"date":"2026-04-13T11:16:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T11:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/13\/paris-roubaix-is-love-hate-and-i-finally-have-some-love-megan-jastrab-ecstatic-after-top-five-finish-in-hell-of-the-north\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T11:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T11:16:20","slug":"paris-roubaix-is-love-hate-and-i-finally-have-some-love-megan-jastrab-ecstatic-after-top-five-finish-in-hell-of-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/13\/paris-roubaix-is-love-hate-and-i-finally-have-some-love-megan-jastrab-ecstatic-after-top-five-finish-in-hell-of-the-north\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Paris-Roubaix is love-hate and I finally have some love&#8217; \u2013 Megan Jastrab ecstatic after top-five finish in Hell of the North"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-376b4079-44df-44de-b3ba-acff70b19be0\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/megan-jastrab\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/megan-jastrab\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/megan-jastrab\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Megan Jastrab<\/a> could barely believe it. The tears immediately started to flow, and she looked up to scan the panorama of the Roubaix velodrome as if to check if this was really happening.<\/p>\n<p>It was. Fifth place at <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/paris-roubaix-femmes\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/paris-roubaix-femmes\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/paris-roubaix-femmes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paris-Roubaix<\/a>. One of the biggest results of the 24-year-old US rider&#8217;s career so far, and finally an end to the suffering she&#8217;d simply come to expect from the Hell of the North.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-376b4079-44df-44de-b3ba-acff70b19be0-2\">&#8220;So everyone says they have a love-hate [relationship with Paris-Roubaix]. I\u2019ve had hate in every edition, so finally I have a bit of love for this race,&#8221; Jastrab told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly<\/em> inside the velodrome on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"inline-block w-2.5 h-2.5 ml-2\" fill=\"currentColor\" preserveaspectratio=\"xMidYMid meet\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 1000\"><path d=\"M1000 100L500 900 0 100h1000z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019m ecstatic. I\u2019m exhausted. But it was so cool, with the crowds. I know <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/fewer-minutes-but-more-eyeballs-aso-race-director-defends-reduction-in-womens-paris-roubaix-broadcast-and-his-moron-comments-on-rockets-boss-bas-tietema\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/fewer-minutes-but-more-eyeballs-aso-race-director-defends-reduction-in-womens-paris-roubaix-broadcast-and-his-moron-comments-on-rockets-boss-bas-tietema\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/fewer-minutes-but-more-eyeballs-aso-race-director-defends-reduction-in-womens-paris-roubaix-broadcast-and-his-moron-comments-on-rockets-boss-bas-tietema\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the live coverage wasn\u2019t there<\/a>, and there was a lot of complaining, but with the crowds it was really, really special to not hear yourself breathing, to not hear anything expect for the screams from the fans on the side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I tried to enjoy it today, and I tried not to think about the suffering and just enjoy the experience. And to come fifth in a Monument, it\u2019s really special.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jastrab\u2019s expectations about what Roubaix might have in store for here were only lowered by the state of fitness in which she turned up at the start. Kitted out half in lycra and half in kinesiology tape, the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/uae-team-adq\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/uae-team-adq\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/uae-team-adq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UAE Team ADQ<\/a> rider was still feeling the effects of a crash that nearly prevented her from riding the Tour of Flanders, as well as a long-term wrist injury she\u2019s struggling to fix fully.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was in a lot of pain at the start even, so I said to myself that if I wasn\u2019t in the front group I would just stop, because it\u2019s only doing more damage. But I don\u2019t know, today I was just in the right rhythm and yeah, it was special.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KgUJeSaeFvZ4Y459kmYmi5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KgUJeSaeFvZ4Y459kmYmi5 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I was always in the top positions going into the sectors, and out of them. And I think I was only caught behind one or two crashes. So I avoided mostly everything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jastrab was alive to the task when the race whittled down on the early sectors and then split to pieces on Mons-en-P\u00e9v\u00e8le. The winning move went soon after when Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Marianne Vos, Franziska Koch, and Blanka Vas went clear over a small drag. Jastrab survived the further selections in the chase group and went clear in esteemed company after Camphin-en-P\u00e9v\u00e8le to ride the finale with former winner <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lotte Kopecky<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It split right in the crosswind, and I was there, but I needed a bottle, and they just went over the top of that little kicker. I grabbed a bottle, and they had a bike length, and then when you have riders that strong up the road, with a tail-crosswind most of the day, it&#8217;s very hard to bring it back. Those things don&#8217;t come back when you have strong, motivated, and experienced riders off the front.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I feel so bad because she [Kopecky] was really like trying to get me to pull and I was like, &#8216;I&#8217;m sorry! Like, you&#8217;re so much stronger than me&#8217;. I was just suffering so much. Even with three and a half to go, on the drag, she was pulling full gas and I was about to get dropped, and I was like, &#8216;Oh, this is gonna be so embarrassing&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She hung on, though, and finished behind Kopecky for one of the biggest results of her career. The wins haven\u2019t exactly flowed for Jastrab since the 2019 junior world champion took her early plunge into the pro ranks, with the 2023 Tour de Gatineau the sole victory on her palmar\u00e8s. And while she has recorded podiums in major events such as Gent-Wevelgem and the Simac Ladies Tour, fifth in Paris-Roubaix is up there with the biggest moments in her career.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It\u2019s really exciting. I&#8217;ve been chasing a win for my entire career. I have a lot of top-fives now, which is nice that I can be consistent and I can show it. But, yeah, fifth in a monument is really special.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The only question now is where she goes from here. A return to Roubaix with higher hopes is surely on the agenda now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I always said I hate this race, but I guess I&#8217;ll probably come back and try again,&#8221; she concluded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/spring-classics-2026\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/spring-classics-2026\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/spring-classics-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/sub24\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=SC26\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/sub24\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=SC26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/sub24\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=SC26\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/paris-roubaix-is-love-hate-and-i-finally-have-some-love-megan-jastrab-ecstatic-after-top-five-finish-in-hell-of-the-north\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Megan Jastrab could barely believe it. The tears immediately started to flow, and she looked up to scan the panorama of the Roubaix velodrome as if to check if this was really happening. It was. Fifth place at Paris-Roubaix. One of the biggest results of the 24-year-old US rider&#8217;s career so far, and finally an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":238244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-238243","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}