If there is one rider in the women's peloton best suited for Paris-Roubaix, it is Ellen van Dijk. Trek-Segafredo's Ellen van Dijk has flat-line power over the cobblestones, and as a time trial world champion, she has the fortitude to sustain an attack.

But the Dutch rider, who was considered a favorite to win last year's race but retired with a serious concussion, admits she is anxious for Saturday's race and is more looking forward to her next big goal: breaking the UCI Hour Record.

Van Dijk is just one of a strong hand of Trek-Segafredo, which includes last year's third-place finisher Elisa Longo Borghini, world champion Elisa Balsamo, and cyclo-cross specialist Lucinda Brand, who is anxious and excited before the second Paris-Roubaix fam A mixed look was on his face.

"There are so many people looking forward to this race and it has a great history. [Ellen van Dijk, noting the excitement of last year's inaugural event and her disillusionment with the outcome of her race, said, "It's not like any other race."

"Maybe my mentality changed a little bit last year. Maybe that suited me. This year, I was like, 'I have to run Paris-Roubaix too. ' I was like, 'I have to run Paris-Roubaix too.

"At the same time, I don't feel pressure to win this race. I know I have the power. But I also know that it is not enough to just have power. To win this race, you need more than just power."

It was as if not being excited about Paris-Roubaix was freedom for the 35-year-old, who was one of the favorites to win last year.

"I don't consider myself a favorite anymore, so there's no pressure," she said, but quickly changed her tone when asked if she was ready for Paris-Roubaix.

"I'm ready. I'm excited to go to Paris-Roubaix and go as fast as I can," she said, before explaining the reason for her hesitation.

"I have some concerns from last year. I had a concussion, so of course I don't want to have another one. We'll see what happens on Saturday. I think I've got the form, but that's not all. Just as long as I can get out in front, that's all that matters."

Unlike last season's muddy and rainy October, Saturday's Paris-Roubaix fam is definitely dry.

For Van Dijk, the weather forecast is a relief. I told my boyfriend, 'If it's going to rain, I forbid you to start. ' I don't know if he was listening, but I'm glad it was dry anyway."

"This year feels almost like the first time, because the conditions and everything are different from last year. I still don't know what to expect in these conditions.

"What I learned from last year is that you have to stay on top. Positioning is key in this race. It's not a secret or anything, but it's not my (best) quality. So I'm struggling a little bit in this race."

"We are a very good team and we have a lot of options. You never know what's going to happen, which is a very good thing in this race. Someone could be unlucky, someone could have a great day, someone could have a bad day. I think it is very good to have a very strong team here in Roubaix. "

The team came into the race strong again last year, with Lizzie Deignan's early attack into the cobbled first sector leading to victory. Van Dijk expects a different race this Saturday.

"No one expected Lizzie to claim victory with 80km to go," Van Dijk said.

"A lot of girls are going to want to go early this year. So I think everyone is eager from the start this year. With the dry conditions, it will be a completely different race and the speed will be higher. The group will be bigger and there will be more pressure. It will be chaos for sure."

The first edition of the race featured a 29.2-km pavé on the 115-km route. This year, organizers added an additional 9 km to the opening lap, but Van Dijk said, "The race will be the same. While many racers felt that last year's course was sufficient, Van Dijk believes that the girls can attack the cobblestone sectors more.

"The addition of the first 10 km of local laps adds nothing. I remember thinking it was more than enough last year. I think the course is hard enough. But I would like to see more cobblestones in the future."

What she doesn't want the women's race to take away from the men's race, however, is the Arenberg forest sector.

"I ran in Rikon two years ago and it was very fast and dangerous. In the men's race, there are always a lot of crashes and a lot of chaos. I don't think that's what racing is about. So for me, no, please, no."

After Paris-Roubaix, Van Dijk will take some mental rest before preparing for the Hour Record Challenge in Grenchen, Switzerland, on May 23.

"I am excited [for the Hour Record] and a little scared. But it's my biggest wish and the biggest project of my cycling career."

"It's a great opportunity for me to get to know the people I work with.

"I had been thinking about it for about 10 years, but never found the right time or the right team to support me. This year with Trek, the time has come. Since I started training this winter, racing with Trek has been my main focus. Much more than Paris-Roubaix."