The UCI surprised the cycling world on Tuesday by announcing the addition of Paris-Roubaix to the Women's World Tour calendar. Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) said the news is an exciting prospect and that this iconic classic race has the power to attract more fans to the women's side of the sport.

"Of course, this is a wonderful surprise. It's a great surprise, of course," Deignan said in the team's press statement. Paris-Roubaix is an iconic race and one of cycling's most popular races."

"The race comes at the end of an intensive racing period and in the aftermath of a difficult year with the coronavirus pandemic, but looking forward to Paris-Roubaix is an easy motivation. It's very exciting to be able to race there, and I think we have a strong team that can go for the win there."

After the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic caused many spring and summer events to be cancelled or postponed, the UCI has announced a new race calendar for the second half of the season. The revised calendar retains 18 of the 22 Women's World Tour events, which will now run from August 1 through November 8. The schedule includes five stage races and 13 major one-day events, with the new Paris-Roubaix taking place on October 25. [Trek-Segafredo director Ina Toitenberg said, "The addition of the Monument to the women's calendar is a step forward for women's cycling.

"It's always a spectacular historical race because of the cobblestones. There is a lot of media attention and I think a lot of riders will be excited to ride on the cobblestones. We have riders who are capable of riding these difficult terrains, so we are competitive."

In an interview with international journalists on Tuesday, UCI President David Lapartient said that discussions to create a women's version of Paris-Roubaix have been ongoing with ASO for years. In recent discussions with ASO, he said, they agreed to hold the first ever Paris-Roubaix as part of the revised Women's World Tour.

"We believe Paris-Roubaix is one of the greatest classics in the world. We have been favorably received by the ASO and for us it means that gender equality is moving in the right direction." With the new Women's World Tour and team, and races like this one, and some of the big stage races we need, gender equality is moving in the right direction. Yes, it's great (to have a women's Paris-Roubaix) and I've seen some very positive comments on social media. I think it is important for women to have the same opportunities as men."

ASO said on its official Paris-Roubaix Twitter channel that the route for the women's event has not yet been finalized, but that such details would be announced shortly.

"We are very excited that there will be a women's Paris-Roubaix. 'A lot of riders are looking forward to finally racing and are excited to be on the calendar. With the men's race rescheduled for the fall, it is now possible to host the women's race as well.

"This is positive and I'm really excited. Personally, I like cobblestones and flat courses. Paris-Roubaix is a historic race and it will be cool to ride on these legendary roads. Held in late October when the weather can be unpredictable, it would probably be an even better race if it were held in wet conditions where anything can happen. The more spectacular, the cooler it is, and I would love to be a part of this first edition of the women's Paris-Roubaix. "

La Partiente stressed that the calendar revision depends on the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and the health precautions and guidelines stipulated in each country. Lucinda Bland said that even if she could not race this year, the addition of the women's Paris-Roubaix to the calendar this year and next season is a positive change.

"It's nice to finally see the women's calendar," she said. Of course, we can't predict at this point whether we'll be able to compete in every event, but at least it gives us a direction to aim for." There are most of the spring classics, which are hard races, and of course Paris-Roubaix is a big surprise.

"Even in this difficult year, it gives the women professional athletes the special race they have wanted for so long. This is a step forward and I didn't think it would happen already this year. I am really looking forward to it."