On Sunday 9 April the bunch sets off for the 119th edition of Paris-Roubaix. It’s the third of five Monuments on the cycling calendar. Also known as the ‘Hell of the North’, Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest and one of the most difficult one-day races with riders having to endure a daunting gauntlet of cobbled sectors before the finish in the Roubaix Velodrome.
A perfect blend of positioning, power and tactical nous are required if a rider is to lift the famous cobble-stone trophy awarded to the victor, not too mention a large slice of luck. Given the conditions, mechanical issues are unavoidable in Roubaix, the timing of which can be the difference between winning and losing.
Take a look at the provisional start list op Paris-Roubaix.
Dylan van Baarle is title holder. Last year, the Dutchman crowned a 20 kilometres solo before Wout van Aert outsprinted Stefan Küng for second place.
Another interesting read: records & winners Paris-Roubaix.
Paris – Roubaix 2023: cobbles, social media
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