Paris-Roubaix is not for the faint of heart and usually not for teenagers. But on Sunday, Josh Tarling will run across the cobblestones and become the youngest rider in the northern hellhole in 86 years.

Not since Paul Botkind in 1937 has a rider competed in Paris-Roubaix with fewer days than Tarling's 19 years and 53 days, and the Frenchman, who started 16 days younger than Tarling, finished in 22nd place.

Although Magnus Sheffield was two days shy of his 20th birthday last year, and there are two 19-year-olds on this year's start list in Ivan Romeo and Madis Michels, Tarling has made history as the latest milestone in the youth revolution that has swept professional cycling in recent years.

Tarling, a native of Wales, made the jump from junior to U23 at the beginning of this year, turning pro with Ineos Grenadiers.

Paris-Roubaix did not come out of the blue, and Tarling was in deep from the start of the season, starting at the age of 18 with Etoile de Besseges, he made his World Tour debut on the UAE Tour and was then called up to one of the most prestigious stage races and was called up to Paris-Nice, one of the most prestigious stage races.

He competed in the E3 Saxo Classic in Belgium last month and received a surprise call-up in Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.

"His progress is impressive," Ian Stannard, director of the Ineos Grenadier Classic, told Cycling News.

"Last year he started in the junior races and said, 'Okay, what team will he fit in with this year?' Then he competed in Paris-Nice and E3, and he's excited to be here, he can't stop smiling, and he can't wait to join the team."

Turling is not just running to gain experience, he is a positive contributor, especially in Paris-Nice, where he pulled the peloton before a crash ended the race. Stannard emphasized the point that he is not just in line to make up the numbers, but has a job to do and can be trusted to do it.

"When you get this young, you don't know what to expect, but he actually has a cool head and a lot of power.

"He doesn't look like a neo-pro. He's really calm and collected, and he has a lot of thought and understanding about racing."

Tarling won the Junior Time Trial World Championships late last year. At 1.94 meters tall, he is a typical ruler, with plenty of experience on the track and competing in cyclocross.

"Obviously time trials are his forte, and I think cobbled races are in his future," Stannard said.

"He is still learning about himself and we are learning about him. But every time we ask him to do something, he's getting results."

Filippo Ganna will lead Ineos Grenadier in Paris-Roubaix, but Tarling is certainly a rider to keep an eye on on Sunday and beyond.