Kasper Asgreen is set to make waves at the Paris-Roubaix on April 12, 2025, with a distinctive bike setup that reflects his meticulous approach to racing. The Danish classics specialist has chosen to ride a Cannondale LAB71 SuperSix EVO, outfitted with a 1x drivetrain featuring a 56T FSA Megatooth carbon chainring paired with an 11-34 cassette. This choice is designed to simplify his setup, particularly on the challenging cobbled terrain of the race.
"I decided to go with the 56t FSA Megatooth carbon chain ring," Asgreen explained. "It just simplifies the whole setup. It looks pretty cool and worked out really well during our recon. I had zero issues with the chain slapping around or anything like that. With the course being flat, you don’t really need a small chainring, so on a rough course like this, the simplicity of a 1x system is super helpful."
Asgreen’s preparation for the race includes a thumb shifter mounted on the drops of his Cannondale SystemBar R-One cockpit, enhancing gear changes amidst the chaos of the cobbles. He also prefers his handlebar tape wrapped tightly to achieve a balance between comfort and control. "I find that the double-wrap tape is a bit too bulky for me, but a single layer is pretty hard on the hands," he noted. "By wrapping it quite close together, you get the equivalent of maybe a bar tape and a half. It’s a nice little hack that I also use on my gravel bike at home."
For the race, Asgreen will ride on 32mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tires mounted on Vision Metron 45SL wheels. He has carefully dialed in his tire pressure during recon, settling on 3.7 bar in the front and 3.9 bar in the rear for optimal speed, comfort, and traction. "I started with 3.7 bar in the front and 3.9 bar in the rear, and I was actually really, really happy with the front right off the bat," he said. "So, I just lowered it to 3.7 in the back as well to get a bit more traction and a bit more stability for the rear wheel."
Asgreen’s bike setup is not just about performance; it’s also about reliability. He uses Wahoo’s SPEEDPLAY AEROs, which he appreciates for their easy four-way adjustment that enhances his bike fit. The 172.5mm FSA cranks provide excellent cornering clearance, crucial for navigating the challenging course.
In addition to his bike, Asgreen will utilize a Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 head unit during the race, which features a high-resolution color screen to guide him to the Roubaix velodrome.
Asgreen’s Cannondale LAB71 SuperSix EVO is a lightweight, agile, and durable machine, designed to float over the stones, plunge into corners, and snap up to speed with every pedal stroke. The meticulous details of his setup highlight his commitment to achieving success in one of cycling’s most demanding races.
Meanwhile, the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, taking place on the same day, will feature a competitive field racing on a 148.5km course starting in Denain. This year’s race includes 17 pavé sectors and two five-star sectors, but notably bypasses the famed Trouée d'Arenberg for safety reasons. The two five-star sectors included are Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l'Arbre, both notorious for their difficulty.
The men’s race will follow on April 13, 2025, starting in Compiègne and covering nearly 260km. Riders will face 30 sections of cobblestone roads, totaling just over 50 kilometers of challenging terrain, including the iconic five-star pavé sectors that define Paris-Roubaix.
Fans can catch both races across various broadcasting platforms. In the UK, TNT Sports and Discovery+ will provide coverage, while viewers in the USA and Canada can tune in via Peacock and FloBikes, respectively. For those in Australia, the races will be available for free on SBS, ensuring that cycling enthusiasts worldwide can experience the thrill of Paris-Roubaix.
As the excitement builds for this weekend’s races, cyclists and fans alike are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown on the cobbles. With Asgreen’s unique setup and the fierce competition ahead, Paris-Roubaix 2025 is shaping up to be a memorable event in the cycling calendar.
