The first edition of Paris-Roubaix for men took place back in 1896 and was won by the German Josef Fischer. The next edition of Paris-Roubaix, one of the most famous classics, starts on Easter Sunday. This means that the race will take place a week later than usual. Due to the French presidential election on 10 April 2022, the dates of Paris-Roubaix have been swapped with the Amstel Gold Race. The race is known as the Queen of the Classics (La Reine des Classiques) or the "Hell of the North" because the region was so devastated after the First World War. Paris-Roubaix is particularly famous for its páves, the sections over cobblestones, some of which date back to the 19th century. The 54.8 kilometre-long sections for the men and 29.2 kilometre-long sections for the women are particularly difficult in wet conditions. The race is also characterised by the high level of endurance that athletes have to summon up. The race tests endurance, speed and riding technique like no other. Even the strongest riders can no longer call up their maximum performance should it come to a sprint on the famous cycling track in the Roubaix velodrome.
Men's race: Flat, but rough
The route in the men's race covers 257.2 kilometres and around 1,200 metres in altitude. This makes the route fairly flat compared to the other spring classics. Until 1977, the start took place in Paris, since then the race has started around 80 kilometres to the north in front of the castle in Compiègne. The first of 30 cobbled sections begins immediately after the village of Troisvilles after around 96 kilometres of racing. Fans will be able to experience the first test of strength between the contenders for victory on the ride through the Arenberg forest, which will be tough in any weather due to the particularly rough cobbles. The following sectors Hornaing-Wandignies (no. 17), Warlaing-Brillon (no. 16) and Tilloy-Sars-et-Rosières (no. 15) will also serve as a preview of stage 5 of the 2022 Tour de France, which will also feature these sections. From there, it is almost 70 kilometres to the finish with some particularly tough sections such as the Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l'Arbre passages.
After the 2020 race was cancelled due to the coronavirus, the pros experienced an absolute endurance test last year. Mud battles and constant rain led to many crashes and defects. The riders proved their stamina and battled through deep puddles and slippery cobbles until the best sprinted for victory in the velodrome. The Italian Sonny Colbrelli won the race - just ahead of the young Belgian Florian Vermeersch and top favourite Mathieu van der Poel from the Netherlands.
This time, a total of 25 teams will be competing in the men's race. There will certainly be a different winner than last year, as European champion Colbrelli was fitted with a defibrillator after a life-threatening collapse at the finish of the Tour of Catalonia and the continuation of his career is now uncertain. The odds are likely to be bad for Mathieu van der Poel, who is desperate to win this classic for the first time and will probably start as the top favourite. Van der Poel's long-term rival Wout Van Aert recently had to take a break due to a Covid illness. It is uncertain whether he will start.
Flap, the second, for the women
The women start one day before the men on 16 April. The Paris-Roubaix women's race premiered just last year. The 124.7 kilometre route between Denain and Roubaix will include 17 cobbled sectors with a total length of 29.2 kilometres. However, the women will not have to ride through the Arenberg forest. Although the total distance of the cobbled sections remains unchanged, the race is eight kilometres longer this year. The last 84 kilometres of the course are the same as for the men and start at Hornaing. In contrast to the men's race, last year the women were still riding on comparatively dry cobbles - the heavy rain only started in the night between the two races. Britain's Lizzie Deignan won the first edition after a surprisingly early attack and a solo ride over 80 kilometres. In Roubaix, she was 1:17 minutes ahead of Marianne Vos and Elisa Longo Borghini.
This year, 24 teams will be competing in the women's event. Deignan will be missing - the 33-year-old is taking a break due to pregnancy. From a German perspective, it will be interesting to see whether Lisa Brennauer can improve on her fourth place from last year. Another possible ray of hope for the German fans: 21-year-old Franziska Koch surprised everyone last year by finishing seventh.
All information about Paris-Roubaix at a glance
Date: 16 April (women), 17 April (men)
Start: Compiègne, Castle Square (men), Denain, Town Hall (women); Target: Roubaix, Velodrome
Distance: 257.2 km (men), 124.7 km (women)
Edition: 119th (men), 2nd (women)
First race: 1896 (men), 2021 (women)
Record winner: Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL), Tom Boonen (BEL), four times each
German winners: Josef Fischer (1896), John Degenkolb (2015)
Result 2021
Men
1st Sonny Colbrelli (ITA / Bahrain Victorious), 6:01:57 hrs.
2nd Florian Vermeersch (BEL / Lotto-Soudal)
3rd Mathieu van der Poel (NED / Alpecin-Fenix), all same time
4th Gianni Moscon (ITA / Ineos Grenadiers), + 0:44 min.
5th Yves Lampaert (BEL / Deceuninck-Quick Step), + 1:16 min.
Women
1st Elizabeth Deignan (GBR / Trek-Segafredo), 2:56:07 hrs.
2nd Marianne Vos (NED / Jumbo-Visma), + 1:17 min.
3rd Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA / Trek-Segafredo), + 1:47 min.
4th Lisa Brennauer (GER / Ceratizit-WNT Pro), + 1:51 min.
5th Marta Bastianelli (ITA / Ale' BTC Ljubljana), +2:10 min.
Key points: The toughest pavé sectors are the Forest of Arenberg (men only), Mons-en-Pevèle and Carrefour de l'Arbre (five stars each from the organiser)
Website: www.paris-roubaix.fr/en
TV: Saturday, 16 April from 15:15 to 17:15 on Eurosport 1 (women)
Sunday, 17 April from 12:00 to 17:45 on Eurosport 1 (men)
Sectors with levels of difficulty
- 30 : Troisvilles to Inchy (km 96.3 - 2.2 km) ***
- 29 : Viesly to Quiévy (km 102.8 - 1.8 km) ***
- 28 : Quiévy to Saint-Python (km 105.4 - 3.7 km) ****
- 27 : Saint-Python (km 110.1 - 1.5 km) **
- 26 : Vertain to Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon (km 117.9 - 2.3 km) ***
- 25 : Haussy (km 123.7 - 0.8 km) **
- 24 : Saulzoir to Verchain-Maugré (km 130.6 - 1.2 km) **
- 23 : Verchain-Maugré to Quérénaing (km 134.9 - 1.6 km) ***
- 22 : Quérénaing to Maing (km 137.6 - 2.5 km) ***
- 21 : Maing to Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 140.7 - 1.6 km) ***
- 20 : Haveluy to Wallers (km 153.7 - 2.5 km) ****
- 19 : Trouée d'Arenberg (km 161.9 - 2.3 km) *****
- 18 : Wallers to Hélesmes (km 167.9 - 1.6 km) ***
- 17 : Hornaing to Wandignies (km 174.7 - 3.7 km) **** (First Sector Women)
- 16 : Warlaing to Brillon (km 182.2 - 2.4 km) ***
- 15 : Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières (km 185.6 - 2.4 km) ****
- 14 : Beuvry-la-Forêt to Orchies (km 192 - 1.4 km) ***
- 13 : Orchies (km 197 - 1.7 km) ***
- 12 : Auchy-lez-Orchies to Bersée (km 203.1 - 2.7 km) ****
- 11 : Mons-en-Pévèle (km 208.6 - 3 km) *****
- 10 : Mérignies to Avelin (km 214.6 - 0.7 km) **
- 9 : Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin (km 218 - 1.4 km) ***
- 8 : Templeuve - L'Epinette (km 223.4 - 0.2 km)
- 8 : Templeuve - Moulin-de-Vertain (km 223.9 - 0.5 km) **
- 7 : Cysoing to Bourghelles (km 230.3 - 1.3 km) ***
- 6 : Bourghelles to Wannehain (km 232.8 - 1.1 km) ***
- 5 : Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 237.3 - 1.8 km) ****
- 4 : Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 240 - 2.1 km) *****
- 3 : Gruson (km 242.3 - 1.1 km) **
- 2 : Willems to Hem (km 249 - 1.4 km) **
- 1 : Roubaix - Espace Charles Crupelandt (km 255.8 - 0.3 km)
Hell for everyone
On the same day as the women, 16 April 2022, cyclists can try their hand at the Pavés. The version of the "Hell of the North" for amateur cyclists offers three distances to choose from: 70, 145 and 170 kilometres. The finish line is in the velodrome.
Information and registration: www.parisroubaixchallenge.com/en
