2024 Paris-Roubaix Preview: After the joy of de Ronde van Vlaanderen final week, we glance ahead with anticipation to this Sunday and the ‘Hell of the North’ – Paris-Roubaix. Each races have lots in frequent, cobbles and legends being two of them, plus shock. We have a look at the historical past, route and the favourites for L’enfer du Nord.
Mathieu van der Poel will do not forget that nook for 2024
Roubaix Historical past
Sean Kelly, the winner in 1984 and 1986 stated “Paris-Roubaix is a horrible race to trip, however essentially the most stunning one to win.” It’s the race that draws the eye of anybody with an curiosity in biking, and a few who don’t. Just like the behemoth that’s Tour de France, it has its apparent factors that most people can comply with, the place because the Giro d’Italia and De Ronde van Vlaanderen are perhaps extra for the hardened followers… the ‘Tifosi’.
Paris-Roubaix is exclusive
A lot has been written about Paris-Roubaix. However the backside line is that if you happen to can survive these iconic cobbles and end first on the sacred monitor, you might be well-known for ever. To cite French journalist Man Lagorce: “Paris-Roubaix begins as a celebration, however ends as a foul dream.” For some riders, Paris-Roubaix is struggling, struggling ache, falling, getting up, falling and getting up once more. The race is a self-inflicted cruelty that riders yearn to return to yearly. Henri Pélissier stated in 1919. “It’s not a biking race, however a pilgrimage.” 4-time Roubaix winner, Tom Boonen summed it up for him: “Once I take a bathe in Roubaix, I really begin making ready for subsequent 12 months.”
4-time winner – Tom Boonen
The French Traditional was began in 1896 by Theo Vienne and Maurice Perez, two textile producers from Roubaix. Vienne and Perez noticed the success of Bordeaux-Paris and wished to organise one thing comparable. The race needed to finish on the biking monitor they’d constructed the 12 months earlier than, in Roubaix. They took their plan to the French newspaper Le Vélo, as they thought they wanted the sports activities newspaper to organise the occasion. Editor of Le Vélo, Victor Breyer, determined to trip the proposed route. The climate situations that day have been so unhealthy that Breyer thought that it might be too harmful, however Breyer got here spherical to the concept and Paris-Roubaix turned a actuality. The primary version in 1896 was received by the German rider, Josef Fischer.
The primary winner of Paris-Roubaix – Josef Fischer
Paris-Roubaix rapidly turned a well-liked race, with many heroic tales over time. It perhaps a French race, however it was made for the onerous males of Belgium. Since Cyrille Van Hauwaert’s victory in 1908, there was fifty-six extra Belgian victories. Three-time winners Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx and Johan Museeuw, but in addition Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen who’ve each received Paris-Roubaix 4 occasions, sharing the file for essentially the most victories.
The Gypsy – Roger De Vlaeminck – The opposite four-time Roubaix winner
Gaston Rebry, Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Johan Museeuw and Fabian Cancellara are all on three victories. Lately, different nice champions corresponding to John Degenkolb, Greg Van Avermaet, Peter Sagan and Philippe Gilbert have additionally triumphed on the Roubaix velodrome, however there have been some ‘shock’ winners, however by no means a no person: Magnus Bäckstedt, Stuart O’Grady, Johan Vansummeren, Mathew Hayman and who can neglect Frédéric Guesdon. The final ten years learn like a who’s who of Traditional cyclists: Van Baarle, Colbrelli, Gilbert, Sagan, Van Avermaet, Hayman, Degenkolb, Terpstra and Cancellara.
Three wins for Fabian Cancellara
Dylan van Baarle achieved the largest victory of his profession in 2022, soloing to Roubaix. The harmful late break of the day included Matej Mohorič, Tom Devriendt and Laurent Pichon, they’d a most lead of three minutes. Behind them a really sturdy Wout van Aert was in a chase group, with Mathieu van der Poel on his wheel. There was a counter-attack by Dylan van Baarle, he jumped away from the favourites group and joined Mohorič, Yves Lampaert and Devriendt on the Cysoing-Bourghelles cobbles. That they had a lead of 45 seconds on the Van Aert group and the INEOS Grenadiers rider noticed his likelihood. He rode the others off his wheel on the cobbles of Champhin-en-Pévèle and was solo on Carrefour de l’Arbre, the final of the toughest cobbled sections of Paris-Roubaix. He completed on his personal within the Roubaix velodrome. Van Aert out-sprinted Stefan Küng for second place at practically 2 minutes behind the Dutchman.
2022 Paris-Roubaix Consequence:
1. Dylan van Baarle (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers in 5:37:00
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma at 1:47
3. Stefan Küng (Sui) Groupama-FDJ
4. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Circus-Wanty
5. Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain Victorious.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ir0Ptzmplw2022 Paris-Roubaix
Mathieu van der Poel received the 2023 Paris-Roubaix in the very best means, solo. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider crossed the end line within the Roubaix velodrome, after he rode away from Wout van Aert on the cobbled part of Carrefour de l’Arbre. Van Aert needed to let the Dutchman go due to a puncture. Jasper Philipsen out-sprinted Van Aert for second place for an Alpecin 1-2.
With greater than 100 kilometres to go, Van Aert break up the peloton to items. Solely John Degenkolb, Christophe Laporte, Van der Poel, Stefan Küng and Mihkels might comply with him. The Bax group began the cobbles of Wallers 18 seconds forward of the Van Aert group, whereas the peloton adopted at just below 40 seconds. On the cobble stones of the Trouée there was panic within the peloton. Dylan van Baarle, Matej Mohorič and Kasper Asgreen all crashed and the favourites group break up. Shortly after, the group with Van Aert and Van der Poel joined the final of the early escapees, however Laporte had a puncture. Mads Pedersen managed to make the bounce throughout on his personal. A bunch with Filippo Ganna, Max Walscheid, Laurenz Rex, Gianni Vermeersch and Jasper Philipsen additionally managed to affix the entrance of the race, giving Alpecin-Deceuninck a 3 males within the main group of 13. Laporte ended up in no man’s land, at greater than 1 minute, and was caught by the peloton 77 kilometres from the end. There was little co-operation within the massive group behind.
Will Van der Poel repeat in 2024?
Van der Poel made his first assault within the final metres of the Bersée part. He compelled the remaining to react, Bax and Vermeersch couldn’t comply with, simply earlier than the 5-star part of Mons-en-Pévèle. Van der Poel as soon as once more went on Mons-en-Pévèle. Van Aert and Philipsen have been on his wheel, whereas Küng, Ganna, Degenkolb and Pedersen managed to comply with with problem. Shortly after, Van der Poel tried on a slight uphill, an assault that solely Van Aert might comply with. That appeared to be the successful transfer, however the group got here again to them. Van der Poel squeezed previous Philipsen which triggered Degenkolb to fall. Van Aert took benefit and attacked. Van der Poel closed the hole after which rode away from Van Aert on the finish of the part. Van Aert had punctured 15 kilometres from the end and Van der Poel began the Gruson part solo. Pedersen, Philipsen, Ganna, Küng and Van Aert have been greater than 20 seconds behind the Dutchman. Philipsen was capable of block for Van der Poel and the tempo dropped within the pursuit at 10 kilometres from the end. On the penultimate stretch of Willems à Hem, Van Aert attacked, solely Philipsen and Pedersen might comply with. Van der Poel began the final 5 kilometres to the Roubaix velodrome with a 30 second lead. Behind; Van Aert dropped Pedersen, however a really sturdy Philipsen might nonetheless cling on. This was all happening nicely behind an unleashed Van der Poel, who took the solo victory in Paris-Roubaix. Van Aert and Philipsen sprinted for second place, however that was one lap behind Van der Poel. Within the dash Philipsen was too quick for Van Aert, making it a one-two for Alpecin-Deceuninck. Pedersen was fourth, Küng fifth and Ganna sixth.
2023 Paris-Roubaix Consequence:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 5:28:41
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:46
3. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
4. Mads Pedersen (Den) Trek-Segafredo at 0:50
5. Stefan Küng (Sui) Groupama-FDJ.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ZiXxZFdD3oChaos And Cobbles In Hell! – Paris-Roubaix 2023 Highlights
The Parcours
The Paris-Roubaix 2024 route has some small modifications from final 12 months, however there are nonetheless 29 cobbled sections, however the order the riders hit them is completely different. The sections of Biastre and Ruesnes return this 12 months, however Saint-Python and Haspres are out as a result of they’re being repaired. Because of the size of the Biastre part, the full of kilometres ridden on the cobbles is now 57.5km an will increase from 54.5km. That is essentially the most cobbles the riders have confronted in fashionable occasions. Clearly the entire race was on unhealthy roads at one time.
Josef Fischer – Winner of the primary Paris-Roubaix in 1896 on ‘gravel’
The modifications within the route come within the first 150 kilometres of the route, the finale to the velodrome in Roubaix is identical. The beginning can be the identical, the riders will line up in Compiègne for the 259.9 kilometres in hell. The primary cobbles come after 96 kilometres. Troisvilles to Inchy is a 3 star part, however the subsequent robust strip if from Quiévy to Saint-Python, which is ranked 4 stars, it might the beginning of the day’s motion.
2024 Paris-Roubaix map
The subsequent tough part is the Trouée d’Arenberg: 2.3 kilometres of full on 5 star cobbles, it comes 95 kilometres from the end and might be the perfect nicely know part of Pars-Roubaix. There are two extra 5 star sections: Mons-en-Pévèle is 50 kilometres for the end after which 17 kilometres out is thw Carrefour de l’Arbre. These are most likely the hardest sections of cobbles and the place the race will be one or misplaced for ever. From Wallers onwards, the race is full on.
2024 Paris-Roubaix profile
After Carrefour de l’Arbre, the toughest components of the ‘Hell of the North’ is behind the riders, however with Gruson, Hem and Roubaix nonetheless to return, there will be surprises within the last. All that’s left is one and a half laps of that well-known Vélodrome. Will or not it’s a solo rider or a gaggle? You simply by no means know with L’enfer du Nord, that’s why we like it… and the riders hate/like it.
The Favourites:
The highest favorite for Sunday needs to be Mathieu van der Poel The World champion received Paris-Roubaix final 12 months, he additionally received the Tour of Flanders for the third time final Sunday, solo at file pace. He has the shape and every little thing else he must win once more. As we all know, Van der Poel’s major competitor within the Spring Classics, Wout van Aert, is not going to be in Compiègne as he has a number of accidents from his high-speed crash in Dwars Door Vlaanderen. It seems to be like there’s nothing stopping the Dutchman, however we’re speaking about Paris-Roubaix right here. Final 12 months, Van der Poel received solo, after Van Aert had a puncture on the Carrefour de l’Arbre. His teammate, Jasper Philipsen, out-sprinted Van Aert for second place. The energy of the Alpecin-Deceuninck staff just isn’t in query after their present in Milan-Sanremo, the place Philipsen received after some sturdy work from Van der Poel after which the dominant and tactically intelligent work of the entire staff to set Van der Poel up for the win in Flanders. We might see the World champion assist Philipsen if a gaggle goes to be collectively on the Velodrome. Or will or not it’s two Paris-Roubaix wins in a row?
One other win for the rainbow jersey sporting No.1?
Mads Pedersen is now most likely Mathieu van der Poel’s largest rival. The Dane was affected by the identical crash that took out Van Aert and his teammate , however he additionally wasted a whole lot of vitality in Flanders, the place he completed in twenty eighth place. He was fourth final 12 months in Roubaix and did look sturdy in Flanders, so per week might make all of the distinction. The week earlier than Flanders, Pedersen beat Van der Poel in Gent-Wevelgem, his Lidl-Trek staff used Jonathan Milan, to work over Van der Poel, however the Italian might do one thing himself on the cobbles of northern France.
Pedersen needs to be the second favorite – If at 100%
Visma | Lease a Bike might be with out Wout van Aert, however they produce other winners of their ranks – thus far they’ve received three Classics this season. Christophe Laporte has been ailing and it’s unknown whether or not he might be on the Paris-Roubaix start-line, and if he’s, what’s going to his kind be? Matteo Jorgenson and Dylan van Baarle might be at the beginning on Sunday. In addition they rode the Tour of Flanders, the place Jorgenson battled towards Van der Poel and was one in all solely three riders who managed the Koppenberg with out strolling. However neither of them achieved a consequence. The younger American must be the Dutch staff’s major hope, however his inexperience could possibly be his downfall. Dylan Van Baarle hasn’t performed a lot this season. The 2022 Paris-Roubaix winner had been ailing, though he did trip Flanders. His expertise might put him in a superb place within the finale, however one other win can be an infinite shock.
Matteo Jorgenson isn’t Visma | Lease a Bike’s solely hope in Roubaix
Nils Politt has been on the Paris-Roubaix podium, again in 2019 he was second behind Philippe Gilbert. To this point this season, he took second within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after a tough trip to maintain himself and winner, Jan Tratnik, forward of the peloton. he was additionally seventh within the E3 Saxo Traditional and third in Flanders after the declassment of Michael Matthews. Politt lacks a dash end, however he’s sturdy sufficient to energy away in any last, however he wont win a gallop.
Nils Politt could make the wining transfer, however can he end it?
European time trial champion, Joshua Tarling clearly has the ability wanted for a race like Roubaix, bear in mind Fabian Cancellara wasn’t unhealthy at each. The younger British rider confirmed his kind in Dwars door Vlaanderen. He struggled on the climbs, however had no issues on the flat sections. He completed eighteenth in Flanders on climbs that didn’t swimsuit him, so the flat Paris-Roubaix ought to. Magnus Sheffield may additionally begin for INEOS Grenadiers, however their full roster just isn’t but recognized. Fillipo Ganna, who was sixth final 12 months, is ridding the Tour of the Alps, so he received’t be northern France.
Joshua Tarling has the ability
Stefan Küng had a disappointing Tour of Flanders resulting from a crash. The sturdy Swiss rider completed, however solely in forty first place. Aside from time trials, Paris-Roubaix is a race he can shine. He completed third in 2022 and fifth in 2023, with a bit of fine luck he could possibly be on the rostrum once more.
Stefan Küng – Very similar to Politt, he’s sturdy however with no ending dash
Matej Mohorič additionally crash within the Tour of Flanders and needed to abandon, however he might be at the beginning of Paris-Roubaix. He was fifth in Roubaix in 2022, so he is aware of what to anticipate. This season he took fifth in Strade Bianche and sixth in Milano-Sanremo and has at all times carried out nicely in Italy, however not in Belgium and northern French roads.
Mohorič in Roubaix?
Then there are the outsiders: Alberto Bettiol (EF Training-EasyPost), Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Inns), Max Walscheid (Jayco AlUla), Oliver Naesen (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Yves Lampaert (Soudal Fast-Step), John Degenkolb (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Riley Sheehan (Israel-Premier Tech), Laurenz Rex & Mike Teunissen (Intermarhcé-Wanty), Iván García Cortina &Oier Lazkano (Movistar), António Morgado & Tim Wellens (UAE Group Emirates), Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility), Dries Van Gestel (TotalEnergies) and Brent Van Moer (Lotto Dstny).
Alberto Bettiol can trip the cobbles, however can he trip the Roubaix cobbles?
The Prime Favourites:
No.1: Mathieu van der Poel
Doable: Jasper Philipsen, Mads Pedersen
Perhaps: Matteo Jorgenson, Joshua Tarling, Stefan Küng
Exterior Probability: Nils Politt, Jonathan Milan, Matej Mohorič, Dylan van Baarle.
*The rider listing isn’t full but, so this listing may change. *
There is just one prime favorite for Sunday – MvdP
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