Paris-Roubaix 2021 postponed, according to report
The French Monument will not take place on April 11, French media reports


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Paris-Roubaix 2021 has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to French media.
A report in newspaper Le Parisien says that the cobbled Monument, scheduled to take place on April 11, will be delayed because of the worsening health situation in the north of France.
The report says that the French Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Health have been holding talks to discuss the race, which was not held last year because of the pandemic.
Le Parisen says the race could be rescheduled at the end of the 2021 season, potentially on Sunday, October 24 or Sunday, October 31.
But race organiser ASO has since told French newspaper L'Equipe that it is not expecting an official decision until next week, and that the current expectation is that the race will go ahead in April.
The organiser said it is also looking for ways to drastically reduce the number of spectators at the side of the road.
The 2021 Paris-Roubaix is also scheduled to include a women's edition of the prestigious cobbled race for the first time in history.
While the inaugural women's edition was initially scheduled to take place last season, the pandemic means we may have to wait a little longer to see the likes of Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo), Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx) in the 'Hell of the North.'
Le Parisien says that an official announcement about the 2021 Roubaix is expected on Wednesday (March 24).
Earlier this week, Paris-Roubaix organiser ASO, which also organises the Tour de France, said "the idea is that Paris-Roubaix takes place whatever happens this year," but regional cycling figures suggested the organisers were heading towards postponement due to lockdown restrictions.
In early March, the French authorities put northern France back into coronavirus lockdown to slow the spread of the virus and ease the pressure on health services.
The restrictions include a curfew and the closure of non-essential shops.
Last week, the French government then put a month-long lockdown in place in Paris and parts of northern France.
Earlier this month another ASO event, Paris-Nice, was able to go ahead as the organisers re-designed the route to avoid coronavirus hotspots.
But Paris-Roubaix, which runs from Compiègne just north of Paris to Roubaix on the Belgian border, would take place entirely in locked down parts of the country.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Primož Roglič confirms he will leave Jumbo-Visma
Giro d'Italia champion does not reveal his destination for 2024 yet, though
By Adam Becket Published
-
Dr Hutch: The aesthetics of the 'chest-fairing' is a funny hill to want to die on
The earnest buffoonery of budget aero hacks may rile TT diehards, but Cycling Weekly's columnist salutes the cut-price cunning of their innovations
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It was just agony’: Inside the Paris-Roubaix debuts of four young Brits
Josh Tarling, Zoe Bäckstedt, Sam Watson and Alice Towers lived very different days at the Hell of the North
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Two days in hell: The best images from Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Take a look at our mega-gallery of some of the best photos from a weekend of brutal racing
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We raced like juniors from start to finish. It was crazy' - Mathieu van der Poel on his Paris-Roubaix victory
Dutchman reflects on a 'strange' day at Paris-Roubaix, the fastest edition in history
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Live updates of men's Paris-Roubaix as Mathieu van der Poel wins; Jasper Philipsen second for Alpecin-Deceuninck 1-2; Wout van Aert third; Peter Sagan abandons in last-ever edition
Follow live updates of the men's Paris-Roubaix where Wout van Aert is among several cards that Jumbo-Visma have to play
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
Filippo Ganna, Lorena Wiebes, or Matej Mohorič: Eight wildcards for Paris-Roubaix
Who could spring a surprise at the Hell of the North?
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Can anyone stop Lotte Kopecky and SD Worx? Six contenders for Paris-Roubaix Femmes
It's hard to look past the Dutch super-team, but Trek-Segafredo have been dominant in the Hell of the North
By Adam Becket Published