The race was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also forced last year’s event to move to October.

The men’s race, one of cycling’s five monuments, was won by Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli.

The reigning European and Italian national champion will be unable to defend his title as he recovers from being fitted with a subcutaneous defibrillator, following his collapse after the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya last month.

Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel is again considered among the favourites to win the race, which is dubbed the Hell of the North.

Van der Poel won Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders in recent weeks, before finishing fourth at the Amstel Gold Race.

Amstel Gold Race winner Michał Kwiatkowski of Poland is also included on the start list for Paris-Roubaix.

Denmark’s Mads Pedersen, the 2019 world champion, and France’s Christophe Laporte could be potential contenders.

Laporte could benefit from the return of Team Jumbo-Visma star Wout Van Aert, who was forced out of recent races due to testing positive for COVID-19.

The Belgian is expected to play a supporting role on his return, rather than pursue victory himself.

"After a COVID infection, we are extremely careful with our riders' health," said Merijn Zeeman, Team Jumbo-Visma sporting director.

"At the beginning of this week, the medical staff determined that he is fully fit and can continue his efforts at top sporting level.

"On the functioning of the heart, among other things, Wout's health is in excellent shape.

"But after a week of isolation, top form is no longer possible.

"All in all, it is anything but an ideal preparation.

"However, a rider like Wout can still play a role in supporting Christophe Laporte, Mike Teunissen or Nathan Van Hooydonck."

The men’s race will take the riders 257.2 kilometres from Compiègne to Roubaix, with roughly 55 kilometres featuring cobblestones.

The race will conclude at the Roubaix Velodrome.

The second edition of the Paris-Roubaix Femmes will be held tomorrow, over 124.7km from Denain to Roubaix.

Lizzie Deignan was the winner of the inaugural race last year, following an 80km solo attack.

Deignan will be absent this year with the British rider skipping the 2021 season as she prepares for the birth of her second child.

Lotte Kopecky will seek to succeed Deignan, with the Belgian rider heading into the race fresh from wins at Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders.

Dutch great Marianne Vos will seek to add another major race win to her record, having opted out of the Amstel Gold Race to prepare for the cobbled classic.

Vos finished as the runner-up last year.