Welcome to Hell, they say. Entries to the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Challenge have now opened for 2011.
The Paris-Roubaix Challenge follows some of the same route as the iconic Queen of the Classics, and takes place on Saturday April 9 2011, the day before the professional event.
Organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is offering 3,000 places for the ride that starts in Saint-Quentin and finishes in the legendary Roubaix velodrome. It's a gruelling 162-kilometre route taking in 18 sectors comprising 31 kilometres of cobbles, and is not for the faint-hearted. A total of 147km will be run on closed roads.
Uptake of places is likely to be fast as riders jostle to become one of the first to take on the challenge.
Entry costs €75, with packages available through several tour operators listed on the official ride website that include travel, transfers, accommodation and food. Participants must provide a valid medical certificate to prove their fitness as part of the registration process.
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