Paris-Roubaix cobbled sectors given new colour coding to show difficulty
Toughest sectors will be labelled black, while easiest sectors will be green
Each of the 29 cobbled sectors in the 2017 edition of Paris-Roubaix has been given a new colour coding to better show their difficulty.
The new colour coding will work alongside the current systems of starts, with the three most difficult five-star sectors (Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l'Arbre) also being labelled as black sectors.
>>> 10 ways the pros modify their bikes for the cobbles
Four, three, two, and one star sectors will be labelled as red, yellow, blue, and green respectively, with the colours applied to signage surrounding the sectors on the course, making it easier for the riders and spectators to distinguish the different sectors.
Watch: Paris-Roubaix 2017 essential guide
The route of the race changes slightly each year depending on the state of various cobbled sectors, with the 2017 edition being 257km in length, 55km of which will be on pavé.
>>> Icons of cycling: La Trouée d'Arenberg, Paris-Roubaix's toughest cobbles
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The first cobbled sector will be at Troisvilles to Inchy with 160km to go, and the final sector in Roubaix itself with just one kilometre remaining.
However the crucial action will start with the first five-star (or black) sector at the Trouée d'Arenberg with 96km remaining.
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
A new partnership sees Astana aboard new bikes with increased funding for 2025
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
The RCR-F aero bike will be ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team in 2025, but will it create headlines like the RCR?
By Luke Friend Published
-
‘I was just on a mad one’ - Lewis Askey reflects back on the ride that helped him turn pro
British rider remembers his victory at Paris-Roubaix juniors
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
From broken back to Paris-Roubaix podium: Bob Donaldson is making a statement
Second at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, just a year after his career was almost cut short, the young Brit is ready to turn pro
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'There's blood on my handlebars': Inside one rider's debut at Paris-Roubaix Juniors
Patrick Casey got his chance to ride the Hell of the North after going through the Red Bull Junior Brothers programme
By Adam Becket Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
Opinion: Mathieu van der Poel firmly grasps legend status with second Paris-Roubaix victory
Reigning world champion deserves his place alongside Roger de Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx as one of cycling’s greatest-ever one-day racers
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Van der Poel ‘in a different league’ at Paris-Roubaix, says Mads Pedersen
Former world champion forced to settle for third on the podium behind Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It’s a completely different beast’ - Tom Pidcock happy with top 20 finish after ‘epic’ Paris-Roubaix debut
British rider was unable to grip his handlebars properly in the finale as the last cobbled sectors arrived
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I just wanted to make it a hard final' - Mathieu van der Poel on 'unplanned' Paris-Roubaix winning attack
The world champion launched his race winning move on the Orchie cobbled sector, almost 60 kilometres from the Roubaix velodrome
By Tom Thewlis Published