The 1972 Paris–Roubaix, the 70th edition of the Paris–Roubaix race taking place on 16 April 1972, marked the real beginning of Roger De Vlaeminck's mastery of the cobbles of the north.

[1] The usual spectacle in the Arenberg Forest was there once more, and this year enhanced by the conditions that made the passage very difficult.

Due to the harshness of the weather and the scrutinizing pace in the Arenberg forest just 49 of the starting 160 riders finished the race.

With 50 km to go Willy Van Malderghem and Alain Santy broke away and at one time held almost a two-minute lead.

On his own De Vlaeminck caught first Santy, then Van Malderghem and proceeded alone onto the velodrome in Roubaix with a convincing margin of nearly two minutes.