I'd argue Paris-Roubaix is actually a very predictable race, much more predictable than the other Pro Tour classics except perhaps Milan-San Remo and Flanders. People always crap on about how much of a lottery it is, but how many lucky or unknown winners have there been? Dirk DeMol, and maybe Jean-Marie Wampers (who at least won GP Frankfurt twice).

One or two big names may crash or puncture at inopportune times during the race, but generally the favourites are in at the kill every year.