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Why you should see Paris-Roubaix


GIF: Sports Organization Amaury

With most of Europe’s major motorsport championships out of action this weekend, Formula 1 and MotoGP fans have little time to spare for the next two days. Sure, they can wait until the end of the day to watch the NASCAR Cup Series race on the dirt-covered shores of Bristol Motor Speedway for a second time. But, I have a better option. They should watch the world’s best cyclists endure the dusty narrow streets of northern France in Paris-Roubaix.

Even if you’re completely unfamiliar with professional cycling, you may recognize the name of its greatest race, the Tour de France. That’s how I became interested in road cycling as a child. The tour features 21 racing days over a 24-day period, during which riders must climb the equivalent of more than five Everests in altitude. I wouldn’t recommend seeing the Tour de France as a first-time viewer, though. A three-week race is inaccessible.

Paris-Roubaix is ​​the opposite of Tour. The 160-mile trail is completely flat and there’s no climbing movement. It runs for one day. The winner usually takes about six hours to complete the race. It sounds easy on paper, but this is one of the most desirable races for any professional cyclist.

Paris-Roubaix is ​​a Monument, the title given to the five most prestigious one-day races on the cycling calendar. Some of its prestige is due to age. The first race was held in 1896. This weekend’s race will be the 119th edition of the Paris-Roubaix. Much of its prestige, however, is due to the difficulty of the course.

Paris-Roubaix rain means being covered in mud from a flat tire or a fall

Paris-Roubaix rain means being covered in mud from a flat tire or a fall
Photo: David Stockman / Belga Mag / AFP (beautiful pictures)

Pavé Maria

Why is Paris-Roubaix difficult? Dust and cobblestone, mostly cobblestone. From the start of the race to Roubaix, the course takes riders over 30 pavé (cobblestone) tracks, a total of 34 miles on the rock. The pebbles shake the bike frame and the cyclists. Teams often fit their bikes with wider tires and run with lower tire pressures to avoid punctures. This also allows the tires to act as a temporary suspension to reduce physical stress on the driver. However, it is not enough for the racers. They taped their handlebars and even their pedals to dampen vibrations and reduce the risk of quadriplegia. The harsh and punitive nature of the race earned the event the nickname the Northern Hell.

Each of the 30 cobbled fields is named and graded on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, of which 5 are the most difficult. The arcs are classified based on length, roughness, condition and route location. The route currently has three 5-star segments. Even so, the two most iconic five-star areas of Paris-Roubaix are the Trouée d’Arenberg and the Carrefour de l’Arbre.

Troue d’Arenberg

The Trouée d’Arenberg translates into English as the Arenberg Trench, but the area is commonly known as the Arenberg Forest. It’s a 1.4-mile straight narrow cobblestone road surrounded by woods and raucous spectators on either side. It sounds counter-intuitive, but racers want to get over the pebbles as quickly as possible. The faster you go, the more you glide past the top stones. And the high speeds encouraged by such a long and rough straight will lead to major collisions and mechanical failure.

Carrefour de l’Arbre

Carrefour de l’Arbre, or simply Carrefour, starts with a 10.5-mile run during the race and is the last five-star cobblestone area on the track. Due to the Carrefour starting corners and the close distance to the finish line, the leading drivers used the area as an opportunity to attack and break out of the court before the finish. If it rains, the cobblestone is slippery and clumps in the mud. Riders are often covered in mud at this point, like in the 2021 race. Even when dry, the cobblestone is dusty and doesn’t provide more traction.

While the cobbled areas are the defining feature of the race, race organizers or local authorities do not maintain most of these public roads. Les Amis de Paris – Roubaix (Friends of Paris-Roubaix), a volunteer group, has maintained and repaired the pavilion for nearly 40 years. The team also provided trophies for the race, heavy granite boulders.

End bell

Paris-Roubaix ended with a lap and a half at the outdoor Roubaix Velodrome stadium. While the smooth concrete oval can be a welcome respite from such an exhausting ride, first-time riders usually don’t get into racecars alone. The winner usually has to beat at least one other rider in the sprint to the finish line.

In the 2021 race, favorite Mathieu van der Poel entered the stadium first with Sonny Colbrelli and Florian Vermeersch right behind him. Vermeersch was the first to strike with about 250 yards to go, Colbrelli won the race and Van der Poel finished in third. And yes, riders must wash before they get on the podium.

Lizzie Deignan (centre) holds her trophy, a large granite pebble

Lizzie Deignan (centre) holds her trophy, a large granite pebble
Graphics: Eric Lamand / Belga Mag / AFP (beautiful pictures)

The year 2021 has also seen First Woman’s Paris-Roubaix in the 125-year history of the event. Although the Paris-Roubaix Femmes 72-mile route is shorter than the men’s races, it still features the same final 17 races, including Carrefour. Britain’s Lizzie Deignan won the race after carefully managing a single breakthrough she made in the first gravel section, 37 miles from the finish line.

If you live in the United States, you can watch both races on NBC’s Peacock streaming service, with the women’s race today and the men’s race tomorrow Sunday.



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