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
Greg Van Avermaet during the 2017 edition of Paris-Roubaix (Credit: Yuzuru Sunada)
Where: France
When: Sunday, April 8 2018
Rank: UCI WorldTour
Paris-Roubaix is a unique display of power and skill like no other in professional cycling and the 2018 edition took place on Sunday April 8.
>>> Full report from the 2018 Paris-Roubaix here
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.
Paris-Roubaix 2018: Compiègne to Roubaix, 257km
1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 5-54-06
2. Silvan Dillier (Sui) Ag2r La Mondiale, at same time
3. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Quick-Step Floors, at 0-57
4. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing , at 1-34
5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo, at same time
6. Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) EF Education First-Drapac, at same time
7. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin, at 2-31
8. Taylor Phinney (USA) EF Education First-Drapac
9. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quick-Step Floors
10. Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Soudal, all at same time
Full report from the 2018 Paris-Roubaix here
Previous editions of Paris-Roubaix
In 2017, the victory went to Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing). Daniel Oss (BMC) had gone for a 40km break, but with 25km to go he was caught by a group of six, containing Van Avermaet.
Three of the six were dropped, leaving the Belgium rider to enter the Roubaic velodrome with Sebastian Langeveld (Cannondale-Drapac) and Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors).
Sybar sprinted against Van Avermaet, but had to settle for second, with Langeveld taking third.
In 2016, Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) became only the second Australian to win Paris-Roubaix, edging out four-time winner Tom Boonen in a chaotic edition of the race.
The 37-year-old, starting his 16th Paris-Roubaix, made his way into the day’s breakaway and clung on to Boonen’s group after it swept them up in the final 100km.
Leading into the Roubaix velodrome, Hayman and Boonen fought it out for the line, with the Australian coming out on top. Team Sky‘s Ian Stannard finished third, equalling the best British performance in race history.
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
Paris-Roubaix 2017 top 10
1. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing, in 5-41-07
2. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quick-Step Floors
3. Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Cannondale-Drapac
4. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
5. Gianni Moscon (Ita) Team Sky, at same time
6. Arnaud Démare (Fra) FDJ, at 12 secs
7. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto-Soudal
8. Edward Theuns (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
9. Adrien Petit (Fra) Direct Energie
10. John Degenkolb (Ger) Trek-Segafredo, at same time
Key info: Start list | Live TV guide
Key riders: Peter Sagan | Alexander Kristoff | Greg Van Avermaet | Ian Stannard | John Degenkolb
Previous editions: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
External links: Official website | Official Twitter feed
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