The organisers of the 114th edition are considering closing a particularly dangerous cobblestone passage on Sunday and are also following the timetable of the French railway SNCF. In order to prevent the incidents of the previous year, when some pros passed a railway line despite the barrier being closed, the start time will vary between 10:20 and 10:50 - depending on train traffic. During a track inspection, the 2200 metre long cobblestone sector in Troisville was completely muddy and impassable.
"The problems will be solved by Saturday," explained race director Thierry Gouvenou from organiser ASO, which also organises the Tour de France. If the situation in Troisville has not changed, the passage will be removed from the race programme.
A total of 52.8 kilometres over the centuries-old cobblestones are planned for the traditional race through the north of France. The top favourites are three-time winner Fabian Cancellara and world champion Peter Sagan, who proved himself with his impressive victory in the Tour of Flanders. Tony Martin also reckons he has a chance of succeeding the convalescing John Degenkolb in his debut in the "Hell of the North".
