Boonen vs Cancellara: The Cobbled Classics Rivalry

Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara: three Tour of Flanders wins each and seven Paris-Roubaix wins between them. The cobbled Classics rivalry.

By Jonathan Ciaccio November 10, 2026 1 min read

Rider in the Corbah men's Classics Midnight Black jersey.

For about ten years, the cobbled Classics often came down to a Belgian and a Swiss rider: Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara.

The riders

Tom Boonen: won the Tour of Flanders in 2005, 2006 and 2012, and Paris-Roubaix in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2012.
Fabian Cancellara: won the Tour of Flanders in 2010, 2013 and 2014, and Paris-Roubaix in 2006, 2010 and 2013.

Head to head

2006 Paris-Roubaix: Cancellara won.
2007 E3: Boonen beat Cancellara.
2008 Paris-Roubaix: Boonen outsprinted Cancellara.
2010 E3 and Tour of Flanders: Cancellara won both, with Boonen second.

Ride the cobbles yourself

Both races run sportives for amateurs on the same roads. Read how to ride the Flanders and Roubaix sportives.

Ride like it matters

For the plain look of the Classics, there’s the Classics Midnight Black jersey in a men’s and women’s cut. Prefer the mountains? See our Climbs jerseys. Every piece is made to order, with free personalization.

More rivalries: cycling’s greatest rivalries.

Written by Jonathan Ciaccio at Corbah

Corbah designs original cycling jerseys and kit, made to order with free personalization on every jersey. Want one that's only yours? Request a free custom design.