John Degenkolb has launched a fundraising campaign to save the junior Paris-Roubaix race, raising more €10,000 in one day.
Paris-Roubaix
Greg Van Avermaet during the 2017 edition of Paris-Roubaix (Credit: Yuzuru Sunada)
Where: France
When: Sunday, April 14 2019
Rank: UCI WorldTour
Paris-Roubaix is a unique display of power and skill like no other in professional cycling and the 2019 edition took place on Sunday April 14.
>>> Full report from the 2018 Paris-Roubaix here
Whilst many of the major Classics now host women’s events either on the same day, or that weekend, Paris-Roubaix is yet to join in.
There are plenty of other long Classics that exceed 250km, plenty of other big races held in France, and plenty of other races that feature cobblestones, but none are as difficult nor unique in character as the so-called ‘Queen of the Classics.’
For one thing, the cobblestones here are on another level of difficulty to those found in the Flandrian classics like the Tour of Flanders and Ghent-Wevelgem. The most difficult sectors are very unevenly paved, and take real skill, power and a heavy dose of fortune to negotiate.
There are also an awful lot of them. In total there are 29 sectors of pavé, amounting to 54.5km – roughly a fifth of the entire race. That far exceeds the ratio of any cobbled classic held in Flanders, and makes Paris-Roubaix something of a test of endurance, with riders generally reaching the finish in dribs and drabs.
The race can be even more gruelling if the weather turns foul. Epic editions involving slippery cobbles and mud-caked jerseys have gone down in folklore and helped earn the race its nickname of ‘Hell of the North’.
>>> 12 pictures that show just how tough the Paris-Roubaix cobbles are
Each sector of cobblestones is rated between one star (the most straightforward) and five stars (the most difficult), and it’s on the three five star stretches that regularly sees the most spectacular racing.
First is the Arenberg Forest at 94km, a long stretch of road rendered dark by the overstretching trees either side of the road, where the race’s first major sort-out usually takes place.
Then at 47km to go is the Mons-en-Pevele, which, if a rider is on the form of their life, can provide the launchpad for a race-winning attack (as Fabian Cancellara managed in 2010 and 2012 respectively). But more often than not it’s the Carrefour de l’Arbre at 15km to go that has the final say.
Even the finish of the race is unusual and iconic. When finally arriving in Roubaix (these days the race might start in Compiegne rather than Paris, but the finish has always been in Roubaix), the riders head to the town’s velodrome to complete one and a half laps laps of the track, in front of a cheering crowd.
Whether the arena plays host to a sprint between a leading group or a lap of honour for a sole leader, it’s invariably a perfect spectacle to end a perfect race.
Paris-Roubaix 2018 results
The 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix was won by Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), who sprinted against Swiss national champion Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale) to take the win.
Peter Sagan after winning 2018 Paris-Roubaix. Image: Sunada
Sagan attacked from the main bunch with 54km remaining, joining a small break group that had gone clear with just 40km covered.
Within that group was Dillier, who transpired to be the only member able to stay with Sagan once he reached them.
The pair worked together, holding off a chase group that contained Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors). Entering the velodrome, Sagan stuck close to the wheel of Dillier, before sprinting past him to take the win.
Full report from the 2018 Paris-Roubaix here
Paris-Roubaix: Recent winners
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-QuickStep
2013: Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack
2012: Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
2011: Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Garmin-Cervelo
2010: Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Saxo Bank
2009: Tom Boonen (Bel) QuickStep
2008: Tom Boonen (Bel) QuickStep
2007: Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Team CSC
Key info: Start list | Live TV guide
Key riders: Peter Sagan | Alexander Kristoff | Greg Van Avermaet | Ian Stannard | John Degenkolb
Previous editions: 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
External links: Official website | Official Twitter feed
Paris-Roubaix’s Arenberg Trench 100m shorter than previously thought, organisers discover
Organisers of Paris-Roubaix’s have discovered that one of the most decisive cobblestone stretches is actually 100 metres shorter than previously believed.
Paris-Roubaix 2019 start list
Provisional list of starters for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, April 14
Paolo Bettini: ‘I hope Tafi doesn’t race Roubaix, you need to do something else with your life at 52’
Paolo Bettini is discouraging his former Mapei team-mate Andrea Tafi, now 52, from racing the 2019 Paris-Roubaix 14 years after retirement. Bettini raced for Mapei and won Monuments Milan-San Remo,…
Paris-Roubaix cobbled sector to receive mortar makeover to aid rider safety
Removal of vegetation will not reduce the sector's drama
Andrea Tafi registers with UCI in pursuit of Paris-Roubaix return
Andrea Tafi has registered with the UCI in the latest step towards his Paris-Roubaix return at the age of 52.
Should Andrea Tafi return to Paris-Roubaix at 52?
The 1999 winner has said he’s found a team to help him make his comeback
Andrea Tafi says he has found a team for Paris-Roubaix return at 52 years old
Andrea Tafi says he has found a team for his return to Paris-Roubaix, 20 years after he took home the cobble trophy.
Andrea Tafi aiming to race Paris-Roubaix at 52 years old
The Italian wants to ride the French Monument 20 years after winning it in 1999
Secteur Pavé Michael Goolaerts: Paris-Roubaix remembers fallen rider by renaming cobbled sector
Paris-Roubaix organisers will pay tribute to Michael Goolaerts, who died during the 2018 race, by renaming one of the cobbled sectors in his honour.
Paris-Roubaix pavé requires repair after fans steal cobblestones for souvenirs
Some sections of cobbles at Paris-Roubaix have needed to be repaired after fans lifted cobblestones out of the road to take home as race souvenirs.
Faster than Paris-Roubaix: Alejandro Valverde posted his Tour cobbles recon on Strava, and he absolutely smashed it
Alejandro Valverde went to recon the cobbles for the 2018 Tour de France this week, and ended up riding most sectors faster than riders in Paris-Roubaix.
Michael Goolaerts suffered heart attack prior to crash, autopsy finds
An investigation into the death of cyclist Michael Goolaerts at Paris-Roubaix has found that the Belgian rider suffered a heart attack prior to his crash.
Five things to do now the cobbled Classics are over
The cobbled Classics ended on Sunday with Peter Sagan taking his first victory at Paris-Roubaix. Here are some suggestions to fill the void...
The best ‘Morning Ride’ of all time? Silvan Dillier shares his Paris-Roubaix ride to Strava
Silvan Dillier's second place at Paris-Roubaix was the biggest one-day result of the Swiss champion's career, and is now there for all to see on Strava.
How much prize money did Peter Sagan get for winning Paris-Roubaix?
When Peter Sagan sprinted across the finish line in the iconic Roubaix velodrome on Sunday after conquering Paris-Roubaix, he added the name of one of the biggest races to his…
‘I got to the velodrome and the gates were closed’: The extraordinary story of the final finisher from Paris-Roubaix
Evaldas Siskevicius was the unsung hero of Paris-Roubaix, completing his lap and a half of the velodrome an hour after race winner Peter Sagan.
‘Paris-Roubaix was his dream race’: Wout van Aert shares emotional tribute to Michael Goolaerts
Van Aert paid tribute to Michael Goolaerts who died after a cardiac arrest at Paris-Roubaix, describing him as "a mischievous guy with an eternal smile"
UCI commissaire explains why Paris-Roubaix wasn’t stopped after Michael Goolaerts incident
After comments that Paris-Roubaix should have been stopped after Michael Goolaerts suffered a cardiac arrest, UCI commissaire Philippe Mariën explains that it is not simple to halt big races
Peter Sagan and Silvan Dillier fined in Paris-Roubaix for taking ‘unauthorised refuelling’
Thousand Swiss Franc fine each for Peter Sagan, Silvan Dillier and their squads as the riders took on late food/drink from team staff
Michael Goolaerts dies after suffering cardiac arrest during Paris-Roubaix
Veranda's Willems-Crelan rider Michael Goolaerts has died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix.
‘I didn’t even think I was going to make the team’: Silvan Dillier content despite missing out to ‘best rider of our era’ at Paris-Roubaix
Silvan Dillier didn't even expect to be on the start line at Paris-Roubaix, and ended finishing in a superb second place behind Peter Sagan on the cobbles.
Watch: Paris-Roubaix 2018 highlights
Catch up with highlights of the 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix, with the peloton taking on 54.5km of cobbles on the way to the famous Roubaix velodrome.
‘This has always been my dream’: Peter Sagan reflects on ’emotional’ Paris-Roubaix victory
Peter Sagan added Paris-Roubaix to his three World Championships and one Tour of Fladners with a spectacular 54km victory in the Hell of the North.
Five things we learned from Paris-Roubaix
Peter Sagan took victory in the 2018 edition of Paris-Roubaix, out-sprinting the surprise package of Silvan Dillier on the velodrome in Roubaix.