Ashlin Barry 12th at U23 Paris-Roubaix, Davide Donati wins

While everyone was focused on the elite men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix, two other races were going on as well–the junior men’s and under-23 editions. All four races took place on the same day (although perhaps at the expense of longer coverage of the pro women’s.)

Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix action got underway with the under-23 men’s race, and it was Italy’s Davide Donati who stole the early spotlight with a breakthrough win on the cobbles.

The under-23 race

The 21-year-old, racing for Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies, timed his move to perfection. Donati, unlike Barry, who comes from a pro cycling family, is not related to former pro Massimo Donati—attacked in the finale after making the decisive selection.

The espoir race took place on much of the same course as the pros, but it was “only” 159.0 km. But that also meant there were moves galore, and not much was allowed to get away. Toronto’s Visma – Lease a Bike Ashlin Barry was in the move with 50 km to go, but was eventually reeled in, although he was still in the mix, finishing 12th. Justin Picoux (Team COPPI – BO.Buro), from LaSalle, Ont., was also racing, finishing 89th. The 21-year-old rider has spent the last few years racing in Belgium, and is no stranger to pavé.

Donati solos, not sprints

In the end though, rather than wait for the sprint from a reduced group, Donati–who is known as more of a sprinter–attacked and got clear, crossing the line alone inside the Roubaix velodrome.

Behind him, Ireland’s Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) led the chase home for second, with Dutch rider Guus van den Eijnden (Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team) rounding out the podium.

For Canada, Toronto’s Ashlin Barry put in a strong ride to finish 12th, mixing it with the best young classics riders in the world on one of the sport’s most unforgiving stages. Barry has been having a solid 2026, with a win at the Olympia’s Tour in the Netherlands, and has already raced up a few times with the WorldTour team. At the Grand Prix de Denain, also known as the “mini Paris-Roubaix,” he finished 18th, after spending much of the day in the break.

Donati’s win marks the first Italian win in the race since a certain Filippo Ganna in 2016.

In the junior men’s race, Thijs Wiersma, who rides for Visma’s feeder team, JEGG-SKIL-DJR, took the dub.

Meanwhile, in the pro men’s race it was Wout van Aert taking an emotional win over world champion Tadej…