Here are some of the best post-race Paris-Roubaix 2019 tweets
Cue pictures of riders caked in dust and mud with incredible helmet hair
Paris-Roubaix
Where: France
When: Sunday, April 14 2019
Rank: UCI WorldTour
The peloton at the 2018 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada)
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.
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 over-stretching 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-Pévèlè, 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). 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 Compiègne 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 pavé sectors
29: Troisvilles to Inchy (km 97.5 — 0.9 km) **
28: Briastre to Viesly (km 108.5 — 3 km) ****
27: Viesly to Quiévy (km 101.5 — 1.8 km) ***
26: Quiévy to Saint-Python (km 116 – 3.7 km) ****
25: Saint-Python (km 118.5 — 1.5 km) **
24: Vertain to Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon (km 127.5 — 2.3 km) ***
23: Verchain-Maugré to Quérénaing (km 136.5 — 1.6 km) ***
22: Quérénaing to Maing (km 140.5 — 2.5 km) ***
21: Maing to Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 142.5 — 1.6 km) ***
20: Haveluy to Wallers (km 156.5 — 2.5 km) ****
19: Trouée d’Arenberg (km 164.5 — 2.3 km) *****
18: Wallers to Hélesmes (km 170 – 1.6 km) ***
17: Hornaing to Wandignies (km 179 – 3.7 km) ****
16: Warlaing to Brillon (km 185 – 2.4 km) ***
15: Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières (km 188.5 — 2.4 km) ****
14: Beuvry to Orchies (km 194 — 1.4 km) ***
13: Orchies (km 199 — 1.7 km) ***
12: Auchy to Bersée (km 206.5 — 2.7 km) ****
11: Mons-en-Pévèle (km 212 – 3 km) *****
10: Mérignies to Avelin (km 215.5 – 0.7 km) **
9: Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin (km 220 – 1.4 km) ***
8: Templeuve — L’Épinette (km 224 – 0.2 km) *
8: Templeuve — Moulin-de-Vertain (km 225 – 0.5 km) **
7: Cysoing to Bourghelles (km 232 – 1.3 km) ***
6: Bourghelles to Wannehain (km 234.5 – 1.1 km) ***
5: Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 239.5 – 1.8 km) ****
4: Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 242.5 – 2.1 km) *****
3: Gruson (km 244 — 1.1 km) **
2: Willems to Hem (km 251 — 1.4 km) ***
1: Roubaix (km 256 — 0.3 km) *
Paris-Roubaix: Recent winners
2019: Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Deceuninck – Quick-Step
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: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
External links: Official website | Official Twitter feed
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Arkéa Samsic riding the cobbles ahead of Paris-Roubaix (Photo by Francois Lo Presti/AFP/Getty) Paris-Roubaix debutant relives his traumatic day on the cobbles in WhatsApp chat
'I gave my bike to André Greipel and then had two big sips of a Duvel a spectator handed me'
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Here are the best Strava stats from the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Photo: Sunada/Strava) Strava stats reveal how gruelling Paris-Roubaix really is
The reputation of Paris-Roubaix is among the most fearsome of all cycling races.
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Watch: Riders's brutal on-board footage takes you inside Paris-Roubaix 2019
Want to watch riders going over their handlebars on the cobbles up close? Of course you do
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Sep Vanmarcke suffered more disappointment in the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Photo: Yuzuru SUNADA) 'I have been through hell': Sep Vanmarcke reflects on bad luck that cost him Paris-Roubaix podium
Sep Vanmarcke says he has “been through hell” in recent weeks after misfortune cost him a Paris-Roubaix podium.
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Tiesj Benoot crashing during Paris-Roubaix 2019 (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images) Tiesj Benoot suffers broken collarbone after Paris-Roubaix collision with rival team car
The Belgian will now miss the Amstel Gold Race
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Evaldas Šiškevičius placed in the top-10 of Paris-Roubaix after finishing outside the time cut last year (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images) Rider who was locked out of velodrome last year finishes top-10 in 2019 Paris-Roubaix
A rider who was locked out of the velodrome in last year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix returned to the race and secured a phenomenal top-10 finish in 2019.
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Nils Politt finished off a standout performance with second place in the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Photo: Yuzuru SUNADA) 'It’s no shame to lose to Gilbert': Nils Politt already planning Paris-Roubaix return after podium finish
Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) is already planning his return to Paris-Roubaix after his outstanding podium ride.
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Wout Van Aert collapses in the velodrome after the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) Wout Van Aert 'suffered' to Roubaix velodrome after fight back from crash and mechanicals
Van Aert fought back after mechanicals and a crash to be present in the lead group, but suffered and struggled in the final 20km of Paris-Roubaix
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Philippe Gilbert wins the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images) Philippe Gilbert wins Paris-Roubaix 2019 in velodrome sprint finish
The former world champion wins his fourth different Monument
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Peter Sagan at the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) Peter Sagan content with Paris-Roubaix performance after lacking energy in finale
The defending champion says he wasn't at his best after finishing fifth
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Here are the big talking points from Paris-Roubaix (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) Five talking points from the 2019 Paris-Roubaix
When Philippe Gilbert reiterated at the start of the season his desire to win all five Monuments before retiring, it came across as admirably ambitious, but increasingly implausible.
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Philippe Gilbert sprints to victory ahead of Nils Politt in the 2019 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) 'It had to happen today': Philippe Gilbert says Flanders disappointment drove him on to Paris-Roubaix victory
The Belgian says he put a lot of pressure on himself to deliver a result in Roubaix
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Rwandan cyclist Joseph Areruya (L) of Delko-Marseille Provence-KTM during a Paris-Roubaix 2019 recon (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP/Getty Images) Joseph Areruya becomes the first black African rider to finish Paris-Roubaix
The 23-year-old crossed the line but finished outside the time limit
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Philippe Gilbert wins Paris-Roubaix 2019 (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images) How much prize money did Philippe Gilbert get for winning Paris-Roubaix 2019?
This is the reward for victory in the ‘Queen of the Classics’
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Fernando Gaviria at the UAE Tour 2019 (NurPhoto/Getty) Fernando Gaviria a non-starter at Paris-Roubaix after being taken ill overnight
The Colombian sprinter was an outside bet to win today's race
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Peter Sagan and Silvan Dillier lead the 2018 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) Paris-Roubaix 2019 live TV guide
There's no excuse for missing 2019 Paris-Roubaix on Sunday - it's live on Eurosport from start to finish for over six hours
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The peloton at the 2018 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) Paris-Roubaix 2019 start list
Provisional list of starters for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, April 14
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11 ways the pros modify their bikes for Paris-Roubaix
There's more to do than fit 28mm tyres when riding the cobbles, and professional riders and mechanics have plenty of tricks to improve comfort on the pavé.
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8 April 2018 116th Paris - Roubaix STUYVEN Jasper (BEL) Trek - Segafredo Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA Five things to look out for at the 2019 Paris-Roubaix
What can we expect from the 2019 edition of the Hell of the North?
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Philippe Gilbert ahead of the 2019 Ghent-Wevelgem (Sunada) Still plenty of time to win Paris-Roubaix, says Philippe Gilbert
Now 36, the former world champion still believes he has numerous opportunities to add another Monument to his palmarès
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Oliver Naesen after winning the Bretagne Classic 2018 (Luc Claessen/Getty) Oliver Naesen says it's 'hard not to feel confident when I'm riding at this level' ahead of Paris-Roubaix
The Ag2r rider is one of the favourites to win on the cobbles this Sunday
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Peter Sagan leads the chase group at the 2019 Tour of Flanders (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images) Will having no clear favourite make Paris-Roubaix more exciting?
No clear favourite will mean more aggressive racing say some of the pros
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Andrea Tafi after racing Paris-Roubaix in 2003 (Getty) 'I won't give up': Andrea Tafi determined to make Paris-Roubaix return
The 52-year-old says he doesn't regret his attempt to return to the cobbles 20 years after winning the Monument and could even try again next year
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Zdenek Stybar at the 2018 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada) Who the bookmakers are backing for Paris-Roubaix 2019
Three previous winners take the start line, but who will win the Hell of the North this year?
