Where: France
When: April 17
Rank: UCI WorldTour
Distance: TBC
Paris-Roubaix will return to its usual slot on the spring Classics calendar in 2022, after a delayed October edition in 2021 and a cancelled race the year before.
One of the most anticipated races on the calendar, fans of the sport have waited over two years for the 'Hell of the North' to take place in the Spring. However, due to French elections taking place on Sunday April 10, organiser ASO requested to switch the date of Paris-Roubaix with the Amstel Gold Race, which was scheduled to take place on April 17.
Regardless, the race brings the cobbled Classics to an end in the northern part of Europe, taking in the countryside of northern France as the riders head towards the iconic Roubaix velodrome on the Belgian border.
Last year's race featured 29 cobbled sectors, including some of the most famous names in cycling like the Forest of Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l’Arbre. A dramatic ending culminated in Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) pipping Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Soudal) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) on the line to secure an exceptional win.
The first wet race since 2002, the event's Autumnal placing on the calendar didn't disappoint with the weather. The return of slick cobbles, mud-caked faces and brutal racing captivated cycling fans, and the race certainly managed to make up for lost time with the cancellation of the 2020 edition.
>>> 12 pictures that show just how tough the Paris-Roubaix cobbles are
While the route hasn't been announced yet, we do know the start and finishes of the race.
The race has not started in the French capital of Paris for some time, but rather a few miles outside in the town of Compiègne. From there, the riders will embark on a gruelling 250+km ride to Roubaix.
The finish is a unique one, with the riders coming onto Roubaix's outdoor velodrome to do a lap and a half to the line, featuring a reduced sprint often the final decider in front of the huge crowds in the stands.
Paris-Roubaix pavé sectors
Details will be announced in due course.
Paris-Roubaix: Recent winners
2021: Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
2020: No race due to Covid-19
2019: Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors
2018: Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe
2017: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing
2016: Mathew Hayman (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
2015: John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Alpecin
2014: Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step
2013: Fabian Cancellara (Sui) Team RadioShack
2012: Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega-Pharma - Quick-Step
2011: Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Garmin-Cervélo
2010: Fabian Cancellara (Sui) Team Saxo Bank
2009: Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step
2008: Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step
2007: Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Team CSC
Key info: Start list
Previous editions: 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
External links: Official website | Official Twitter feed
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