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29/03/2012 - April 8: Enter the cobble-eaters

© Presse Sports-Tom Boonen

Tom Boonen© Presse Sports

"How delicate they are!" Just a few days from Paris-Roubaix, this is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the bookies' favourites to win the race.

Yet history shows that picking a winner is even harder at the Queen of Classics than elsewhere. After seeing Johan Vansummeren solo to the win last year, the top contenders –once again, a certain Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Thor Hushovd– can attest to the fact that virtually anything is possible in this race. The defending champion may be kept on a tighter leash come April 8, but he should certainly not be written off. Nevertheless, Tom Boonen's triumphant early season, with wins at the Tour of Qatar, Paris-Nice, the E3 Harelbeke and Ghent–Wevelgem, makes him the favourite of favourites... knowing that this is a heavy label to bear.

Although all eyes will be on the Boonen-Cancellara-Hushovd trio at the entrance to the Trouée d'Arenberg, they may still have to get rid of several perennial podium contenders in the Carrefour de l'Arbre section: Flecha, Ballan, Devolder, Pozzato, Leukemans, Bak and Bennati will all be hunting for a podium place. There is also a handful of rising stars who have the potential to turn the race on its head at this stage. At the tender age of 22 (just like Boonen when he first climbed onto the podium!) and with three victories under his belt this season, as well as a runner-up place at Ghent–Wevelgem, Peter Sagan has raised a lot of expectation. The slightly older John Degenkolb and Sep Vanmarcke managed to crack the Top 20 last year and have since made massive progress. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Matt Goss or Taylor Phinney could also bring winds of change.


25 teams, main contenders

Germany
Team NetApp: Schulze (GER)

Australia
GreenEDGE Cycling: Goss, O'Grady (AUS)

Belgium
Lotto-Belisol: Bak (DEN), Greipel (GER), Henderson (NZL)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step: Boonen, Steegmans (BEL), Chavanel (FRA)

Denmark
Team Saxo Bank: Roberts (AUS), Tosatto (ITA)

Spain
Euskaltel-Euskadi: Cazaux (FRA), Perez Moreno (SPA)
Movistar Team: Gutiérrez, Rojas (SPA)

United States
BMC Racing Team: Ballan (ITA), Hushovd (NOR), Phinney (USA)
Garmin-Barracuda: Farrar (USA), Haussler (AUS), Vansummeren, Vanmarcke (BEL)

France
Ag2r-La Mondiale: Casper (FRA)
Cofidis, le Crédit en Ligne: Duque (COL), Petit (FRA)
FDJ-BigMat: Chainel, Guesdon (FRA)
Bretagne-Schuller: Le Bon, Vachon (FRA)
Saur-Sojasun: Engoulvent, Mangel (FRA)
Team Europcar: Gaudin, Haddou, Turgot (FRA)

Great Britain
Team Sky: Eisel (AUT), Flecha (SPA), Boasson Hagen (NOR)
Farnese – Selle Italia : Pozzato (ITA)

Luxembourg
RadioShack-Nissan: Cancellara, Rast (SWI), Gallopin (FRA), Bennati (ITA)

Italy
Lampre-ISD: Hondo (GER)
Liquigas-Cannondale: Sagan (SVK), Oss (GER)

Kazakhstan
Astana: Bozic (SLO), Iglinskiy (KAZ)

Netherlands
Rabobank: Boom, Tjallingii (NET), Breschel (DEN)
Project 1t4i: Degenkolb, Kluge (GER)
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team: Devolder, Leukemans (BEL), Larsson (SWE)

Russia
Katusha Team: Isaichev (RUS), Kuchynski (BLR)

 

19/03/2012 - 25 teams selected

Twenty-five teams have been selected to take part of the 110th edition of Paris-Roubaix, which will take place the 8th of April 2012.

The following eighteen teams have been selected in compliance with International Cycling Union rules :


AG2R – La Mondiale (Fra)
Astana Pro Team (Kaz)
BMC Racing Team (Usa)
Euskaltel – Euskadi (Esp)
FDJ – Big Mat (Fra)
Garmin – Barracuda (USA)
Greenedge Cycling Team (Aus)
Katusha Team (Rus)
Lampre – ISD (Ita)
Liquigas – Cannondale (Ita)
Lotto Belisol Team (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Omega Pharma – Quickstep (Bel)
Rabobank Cycling Team (Ned)
Radioshack – Nissan (Lux)
Sky Procycling (GBR)
Team Saxo Bank (Den)
Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team (Ned)

Seven other teams, invited by the organisers, will make up the field for Paris-Roubaix 2012 :

Cofidis, le crédit en ligne (Fra)
Saur – Sojasun (Fra)
Bretagne - Schuller (Fra)
Team Europcar (Fra)
Team NetApp (Ger)
Project 1T4I (Ned)
Farnese Vini (Gbr)

 

07/03/2012 - The Arenberg Trench will definitely be on the Paris-Roubaix course

After a period of uncertainty regarding the possibility to preserve the Arenberg Trench on the course of the 2012 edition of Paris-Roubaix, organisers confirmed that the last doubts had been cleared. Sufficient guarantees were given that the cobbled sector could be prepared in the best conditions of safety for the riders.

During checks a few weeks earlier, the deterioration of the Trench had raised questions over its withdrawal from the route because mud was covering the cobbles. After a meeting with officials from the Nord General Council, Jean-Francois Pescheux was reassured that the Trench could be open to the peloton on April 8.
"The cleaning work will be underway asap," race director Pescheux told AFP. As a result, the itinerary will be identical to the 2011 edition and the Arenberg Trench will play its usual part. It is often on that 2.4-km-long sector that the battle starts on Paris-Roubaix.

 

09/04/2011 - Favourites talk

Four of the race favourites, previous winners Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen, world champion Thor Hushovd and in form Sylvain Chavanel, gave their thoughts on the eve of Paris-Roubaix.

Fabian Cancellara: “This is Paris-Roubaix, it’s just a bit of a bike race that I’ll live with passion and try to enjoy as much as I can. It’s gonna be hard and tough. But I’m ready. A lot of riders are ready though. In this race, a lot of things decide the game. There are crashes, there are punctures… You never know in advance what can happen to you. We’ll stay awake and we’ll just do our race. We’ll do what we can until we die. I hope everyone else will do what they have to do. I’m not the only favourite of Paris-Roubaix. I hope I won’t have everyone on my wheel. The weather is good but we’ve already had a warm weather at the Belgian races including the Tour of Flanders. It’ll be dusty. I have to forget last year’s race. The 2011 Paris-Roubaix is a new race. We’ll fight like gladiators.”Tom Boonen: “I’m not feeling perfect because I crashed on Wednesday in the Scheldeprijs and it’s never a good thing to crash before such a demanding race as Paris-Roubaix. When I walk, but not when I’m on a bike, I still feel a pain inside my left thigh. The first 100 kilometres will allow me to warm up. After that, it’ll be a big battle. With a nice weather and probably a side wind, we’ll ride fast all day, I believe.”Thor Hushovd: “Our goal as a team is that everyone works for me. We’ll do everything we can to win the race. With or without the rainbow jersey, I’ve been trying to win Paris-Roubaix for many years. I’m getting closer and closer. I hope to do the right thing all the way. I’ll be awake all the time if something happens.” Sylvain Chavanel: “It’s funny, everyone asks me about my second place at the Tour of Flanders and if I’m not too disappointed. I forgot my disillusion during my time at home because I seldom talk about cycling with my wife. I’m really happy to race Paris-Roubaix this year. I like this race and I never had such good sensations for my whole career so far. After Arenberg, the situation will be clearer and I’ll be able to focus on my attack. I know how to do it…”
 

09/04/2011 - Michael Morkov a non starter

The 25 teams of the 109th Paris-Roubaix have been presented to the crowd on the Royale square of Compiègne. There will be 197 starters.

Michael Morkov of Saxo Bank-SunGard will not take part in Paris-Roubaix after crashing a very slow speed on Friday. Hearing about the sad news that affected his Danish team-mate whose shoulder is badly hurt, Nick Nuyens put his hands up for replacing him. Unfortunately, the winner of the Tour of Flanders wasn't on the provisional start list, so he wasn't eligible. Therefore, Australia's David Tanner arrived to fill the gap.
 

07/04/2011 - A Paris-Roubaix for everyone

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The most spectacular race in the cycling calendar is also one of the most watched by spectators and viewers. Whether for cyclists, sports enthusiasts or simply lovers of superb images, it is a unique moment, which can be experienced in several different ways…

ON THE SADDLE, IN THE PARIS-ROUBAIX CHALLENGE
The principle of this challenge involves taking amateur cyclists along a part of the race route, before the pack of elite riders. For its first edition, the Paris-Roubaix Challenge will take the form of a trail, starting in Saint-Quentin for a route measuring 138 kilometres in total, along a part of the cobbled sectors on the menu the following day. A sure-fire way to shake with excitement before the main event…

WITH THE ELITE RIDERS IN COMPIÈGNE
During Saturday afternoon, the Château de Compiègne mansion will play host to the press room. On its esplanade, a presentation of the riders orchestrated by Daniel Mangeas will provide an opportunity for insights on the eve of the race. Whilst their interviews may attempt to hide it, the psychological battle between the favourites will already be taking place in front of the television cameras. In spite of the stakes, the elite riders will still be making themselves available for brief exchanges with the public, for photos and autographs.

ON THE ROAD-SIDE, WITH RESPECT FOR THE SITES
Especially fond of Paris-Roubaix, the northern crowds can be found in significant numbers on the road-side. Around the most renowned cobbled sectors, they come in their thousands to support the cyclists at the hardest part of the race. However, the enthusiasm of the Belgian or French supporters has sometimes led to problems that compromise safety on the race. As a result, special measures have been taken by the prefecture and the local police. Consequently, from Friday morning onwards, no vehicles will be authorised to park in the zone around the Carrefour de l’Arbre crossroads. To respect the eco-responsible approach of the race, the crowds will also be encouraged to be as careful as possible with regard to refuse, in particular through instructions and schemes implemented by the Nord-Pas de Calais General Council.

TREATMENT FIT FOR A QUEEN ON TV
Paris-Roubaix will once again be stealing the limelight on TV screens, with more than 30 channels broadcasting the race, in approximately 186 countries, 21 of which will be broadcasting the event live. Furthermore, viewers of 15 channels will be able to enjoy high-definition images (as opposed to 10 in 2010). On France Télévisions, the Queen of the Classics will be receiving coverage worthy of the mountain stages on the Tour de France, with more than four hours of live broadcast (starting at 12.50 pm). The level of technical resources in place is also at a maximum: 4 motorbikes with on-board cameras, 2 motorbikes with on-board sound equipment, 2 Wescam helicopters, 1 relay helicopter and 1 relay plane, 1 fixed camera at the Trouée d’Arenberg, and 12 cameras at the finishing line in the cycling Arena.

ON THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
Letour.fr will be picking up the pace on Saturday, with the pre-race interviews from the main pretenders to the crown and publication at the end of the afternoon of the official list of participants. As soon as the race starts, web users will be able to follow how the race develops in French and English, with the gaps between the groups of riders, text updates on the race, interviews with the team managers during the race, etc. After the finishing ceremony, analysts will then be able to pick through the classifications, relive the race via a video summary, a photo gallery and by reading an interview with the winner…

 

06/04/2011 - Will Goss be the boss?

© Presse Sports-Matt Goss, in Milan - San Remo 2011

Matt Goss, in Milan - San Remo 2011© Presse Sports

© Presse Sports-Mark Cavendish, in Milan - San Remo 2009

Mark Cavendish, in Milan - San Remo 2009© Presse Sports

The rider currently ranked world number one, Matt Goss, who sometimes acts as a lead-out man for Mark Cavendish in the sprints, knows that on Paris-Roubaix, he must not wait until the last kilometre to help the British rider hit full throttle, who will finally be making his debut this Sunday on the race of his dreams.

On the evening of his victory in the Milan-San Remo in 2009, Mark Cavendish made it clear that, whilst he was obviously happy to win his first classic, La Primavera was not his race of preference. “I dream of winning Paris-Roubaix and also the Tour of Flanders”, he said, before admitting, “To mange that, I need to gain in strength”.
He could also have added another essential condition: taking starter’s orders. Last year, his withdrawal on the Tour of Flanders cost him a first participation on Paris-Roubaix. The year before, the staff or the HTC-Highroad team ordered him to rest at the start of April to prepare for the Tour of Italy. However, Allan Peiper, one of his managers, remembers that already in 2008, before starting to gobble up stage victories on the Tour de France (15 to date), Cavendish was crying out to be selected for Paris-Roubaix. “I told him: ‘OK, if you win two stages at the Three days of La Panne and on Gand-Wevelgem’, recalls the Australian coach. “He succeeded in the first part of the challenge but not the second. He still asked after Gand-Wevelgem if he could line up at the start in Compiègne despite everything, but I reminded him that a deal’s a deal”.

Over three seasons, the status of Mark Cavendish rose to the rank of champion. As a result, Rolf Aldag, manager of HTC-Highroad, stated at the beginning of the 2011 season: “If it was just to make up the numbers, he would not have asked to be part of the team for the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix”. Having only recorded one win at present this year, on the last stage of the Tour of Oman, the sprinter from the Isle of Man has not dominated the field in the Flemish classics like he has in the Tour de France. 60th at Gand-Wevelgem and 110th on the Tour of Flanders, nevertheless he is at the heart of the matter.

“Mark is doing well and on a good day, he could be out in front on Paris-Roubaix”, believes Matt Goss, who is currently sharing his everyday routine with him around Gand. “He has never had the opportunity to take part before and he really wants to this time, for the experience. In our team, I think it will be like the Gand-Wevelgem and Tour of Flanders races, where Bernhard Eisel and myself were the designated leaders. I don’t know yet if Hayden Roulston, who was knocked down by a car this weekend in Spain, will be able to start. He finished 10th last year. That said, Cavendish will be protected as well”.

Unlike the British rider, the Australian has already had a taste of Paris-Roubaix before winning Milan-San Remo this year. “In 2009, I didn’t do too badly”, he recalls. “I ended up all alone behind the leading group and finished in 32nd place. It was quite good for a first attempt. Last year, I was up at the front with the favourites when I got a puncture on the ‘Marc Madiot’ section. It was just at the point where the race was heating up and the pack was breaking up all over the place. I had to wait five minutes for a spare wheel and even though I tried hard to catch up, it was all over for me”.

“I love this race”, adds Goss. “As soon as I had finished the first time, I couldn’t wait to do it again. The finish is always spectacular. I really want to play a major part in this year’s climax. I’m ranked UCI world number one at the moment and I’d like things to stay that way, even if I know that it’s going to be tough. I’m in good form, mentally in great shape, but I got a little bit ill the week after Milan-San Remo and I’ve not got over it yet. If I can manage to get back to tip-top condition by Sunday, I’ve got the legs to win”. On his third race over the cobbles, Goss will again be acting as lead-out man for race newcomer Cavendish… Unless of course there is a role-reversal in his favour like in San Remo!

 

04/04/2011 - 51.5 km of cobbles: the ratings

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On the basis of the route reconnoitring conducted on 4th April by Christian Prudhomme and Jean-François Pescheux, the organisers have assigned a rating of difficulty to each of the 27 cobbled sectors in the race, depending on their length, the bumpiness of the surface, the general condition of the section and its location.

This year, two sectors will be making a return to the Paris-Roubaix route: Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes (after 142.5) and Famars (after 146 km). The pack will also be discovering the 1,400 metres of cobbles in the Millonfosse sector (after 178.5 km) for the very first time on the race.
 
The 27 cobbled sectors on Paris-Roubaix
 
27. Troisvilles (km 98 - 2200 m) +++
26. Viesly (km 104,5 - 1800 m) +++
25. Quievy (km 107 - 3700 m) ++++
24. Saint-Python (km 115,5 - 1500 m) ++
23. Vertain (km 119,5 - 2300 m) +++
22. Capelle-sur-Ecaillon - Le Buat (km 126,5 - 1700 m) +++
21. Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes - Famars (km 142,5 - 2600 m) +++++
20. Famars - Quérénaing (km 146 - 1200 m) ++
19. Quérénaing - Maing (km 149 - 2500 m) +++
18. Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 152 - 1600 m)  +++
17. Haveluy (km 164 - 2500 m) ++++
16. Trouée d’Arenberg (km 172 - 2400 m) +++++
15. Millonfosse - Bousiginies (km 178,5 - 1400 m) +++
14. Brillon à Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes (km 183,5 - 1100 m) ++
Tilloy - Sars-et-Rosières (km 186 - 2400 m) +++
13. Beuvry-la-Forêt - Orchies (km 192,5 - 1400m) +++
12. Orchies (km 197,5 - 1700 m) +++
11. Auchy-lez-Orchies - Bersée (km 203,5 - 2600 m) +++
10. Mons-en-Pévèle (km 209 - 3000 m) +++++
9. Mérignies - Avelin (km 215 - 700 m) ++
8. Pont-Thibaut (km 218,5 - 1400 m) +++
7. Templeuve l’Epinette (km 224 - 200 m) +
Le Moulin de Vertain (km 224,5 - 500 m) ++
6. Cysoing - Bourghelles (km 231 - 1300 m) ++++
Bourghelles - Wannehain (km 233,5 - 1100 m) +++
5. Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 238 - 1800 m) ++++
4. Le Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 241 - 2100 m) +++++
3. Gruson (km 243 - 1100 m) ++
2. Hem (km 250 - 1400 m) ++
1. Roubaix (km 258 - 300 m) +

 

30/03/2011 - A right bunch of winners!

© Presse Sports-André Leducq

André Leducq© Presse Sports

© Presse Sports-Roger Lapébie

Roger Lapébie© Presse Sports

© Presse Sports-Louison Bobet

Louison Bobet© Presse Sports

© Presse Sports-Roger De Vlaeminck

Roger De Vlaeminck© Presse Sports

© Presse Sports-Tom Boonen

Tom Boonen© Presse Sports

Since 1896, Paris-Roubaix has been crowning outstanding champions. Here, we take a look at winners who have marked the history of the Queen of Classics…

1898: Maurice Garin (Fra)
Before winning the first Tour de France in 1903, Maurice Garin was the first double winner of Paris-Roubaix (1897-1898). In total, the Franco-Italian climbed onto the podium four times.

1908: Cyrille Van Hauwaert (Bel)
Second on his debut on the race in 1907, Cyrille Van Hauwaert was the first Belgian to win Paris-Roubaix. Since then, his country has largely dominated the race, with 53 triumphs in total.

1914: Charles Crupelandt (Fra)
This two times winner is the only native of Roubaix to have triumphed in his “home” stadium. A cobbled section bearing his name was inaugurated in 1996.

1928: André Leducq (Fra)
The “dream team” of Leducq, Magne and Speicher went on to regain some glory for French cycling on Le Tour, but it all started in Roubaix, with the success of Leducq, who brought a seven year dearth to an end.

1934: Roger Lapébie (Fra)
After a puncture ten kilometres from Roubaix, he caught up with the leading group and won the race on a bike borrowed from a spectator. Despite this heroic performance and the playing of the French national anthem, the rules were the rules: Lapébie was disqualified for changing his bicycle, and Belgian Gaston Rébry was declared the victor.

1950: Fausto Coppi (Ita)
One year after the half-triumph granted to his younger brother Serse on a technicality when tied with André Mahé, Fausto Coppi dazzled the race with his class by completing the last forty kilometres on his own out in front. The second man to finish, French rider Diot joked: “It’s me who has won Paris-Roubaix, Coppi is in a class of his own…”

1956: Louison Bobet (Fra)
Following his 3rd victory on Le Tour, Bobet had to contend with debilitating health problems. Though beaten several times by Coppi, he managed to pick up a further triumph with victory in Roubaix.

1965: Rik Van Looy (Bel)
A specialist of the classics, Van Looy won them all, although winning the Queen of the Classics proved to be hard work for him. “Rik I” was finally victorious in 1961, 1962 and 1965.

1972: Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel)
The “Gypsy” laid claim to being the rival of Eddy Merckx, who had already triumphed twice on Paris-Roubaix. He became the master of the event, with the record number of victories: four between 1972 and 1977.
 
1980: Francesco Moser (Ita)
The Italian, for a long time in the shadow of De Vlaeminck, became the second rider to score three consecutive victories in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

1993: Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (Fra)
Already having finished second in 1980, Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle won his first title in 1992, then repeated the feat in 1993.

1998: Franco Ballerini (Ita)
Nicknamed “the dancer of the cobbles”, Ballerini engraved his name in the prestigious roll of honour of Italian winners of Paris-Roubaix, by wining the event twice. 

2009: Tom Boonen (Bel)
In 2005, the Belgian became the 9th winner of the Tour of Flanders / Paris-Roubaix double. In 2009, he continued to write his name into the race’s statistics with a third victory on the event. The “Gypsy’s” record is now in his sights.

 

03/03/2011 - 25 teams selected

For the 109th edition of Paris-Roubaix, which will take place on Sunday 10th April over a 258-km route, 25 teams have been invited to take starter’s orders in Compiègne.

Amongst the regulars on the great cobbled classic, four former winners are planning on being present: Fabian Cancellara will be trying to retain his title, accompanied by Stuart O’Grady and Tom Boonen, but also Frédéric Guesdon, who triumphed in 1997. Six others, who have also climbed onto the podium, will be in attendance planning to move their way up the standings: Thor Hushovd, in his rainbow jersey, Filippo Pozzato, Alessandro Ballan, George Hincapie, Juan-Antonio Flecha and Roger Hammond.


Main contenders (as of 3rd March)

AG2R La Mondiale : Mondory (FRA), Elmiger (SWI) ; BMC Racing Team : Ballan (ITA), Hincapie, Phinney (USA), Burghardt (GER) ; Euskaltel-Euskadi : Aramendia (ESP) ; HTC-HighRoad : Eisel (AUT), Goss (AUS) ; Katusha Team : Pozzato (ITA), Hoste (BEL) ; Lampre-ISD : Hondo (ITA) ; Liquigas-Cannondale : Sagan (SVQ) ; Team Leopard-Trek : Cancellara (SWI), O’Grady (AUS) ; Movistar Team : Rojas (ESP) ; Omega Pharma-Lotto : Roelandts (BEL) ; Pro Team Astana : Vaitkus (LTU), Davis (AUS) ; Quick Step Cycling Team : Boonen, Steegmans (BEL) ; Rabobank Cycling Team : Boom (NED), Breschel (DEN) ; Saxo Bank Sungard : Cooke (AUS) ; Sky Procycling : Flecha (ESP), Hagen (NOR), Wiggins (GBR) ; Team Garmin-Cervélo : Hushovd (NOR), Farrar (USA), Haussler (AUS), Hammond (GBR) ; Team RadioShack : Hunter (RSA), McEwen (AUS) ; Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team : Devolder (BEL) ; Cofidis, le crédit en ligne : Ista (BEL) ; Team Europcar : Haddou, Turgot (FRA) ; FDJ : Guesdon, Offredo, Bonnet (FRA) ; Bretagne-Schuller : Lebon (FRA) ; Team Netapp : Baumann (GER) ; Saur-Sojasun : Coyot, Casper (FRA) ; Skil-Shimano : Veelers (NED)

 

14/01/2011 - New features on the old cobbles

The organisers of the 109th Paris(Compiègne)-Roubaix yesterday carried out reconnoitring of the route, which this year will undergo several modifications.
In fact, with the double aim of preserving the 70 kilometres of cobbles available in the north and to avoid immobilising the route, the race, which will take place on 10th April, will make a significant incursion into the area around Valenciennes and will pass through the sectors of Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes and Famars. The riders will also discover the Millonfosse section (1,400 m) 4,500 metres from the exit from the Trouée d’Arenberg. This sequence positioned at 70 kilometres away from the finishing line should be one of the strategic moments of the race.
In total, the riders will cross 31 sectors, totalling 53.4 kilometres, scattered all along the 258-kilometre route of the race.

The day before, the Paris-Roubaix Challenge, taking place between Saint-Quentin (Aisne) and the mythical Roubaix cycling stadium, will pass along the last 16 sectors on the menu for the professionals, allowing almost 4,000 amateur cyclists to discover the trials and tribulations of “The Hell of the North”.

The Cobbles zones

 
KM /  Place /  Length
98 Troisvilles à Inchy 2,2
104,5 Viesly à Quiévy 1,8
107,5 Quiévy à Saint-Python 3,7
112 Saint-Python 1,5
120 Vertain à St-Martin-sur-Ecaillon 2,3
126,5 Capelle-sur-Ecaillon à Ruesnes 1,7
137 Artres à Préseau 1,9
142,5 Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes - Famars 2,6
146 Famars à Quérénaing 1,2
149,5 Quérénaing à Maing 2,5
152,5 Maing à Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon 1,6
164 Haveluy à Wallers 2,5
172,5 Trouée d'Arenberg 2,4
179 Millonfosse à Bousignies 1,4
183,5 Brillion à Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes 1,1
186,5 Tilloy à Sars-et-Rosières 2,4
192,5 Beuvry-la-forêt à Orchies 1,4
197,5 Orchies  1,7
204 Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée 2,6
209,5 Mons-en-Pévèle 3
215,5 Mérignies à Avelin 0,7
218,5 Pont-Thibaut à Ennevelin 1,4
224 Templeuve - L'Epinette 0,2
224,5 Templeuve - Moulin-de-Vertain 0,5
231 Cysoing à Bourghelles 1,3
234 Bourghelles à Wannehain 1,1
238,5 Camphin-en-Pévèle 1,8
241 Carrefour de l'Arbre 2,1
243,5 Gruson 1,1
250 Willems à Hem 1,4
257 Roubaix 0,3
    
  Distance totale des secteurs pavés 53,4