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
Paris-Roubaix
Where: France
When: Sunday, April 12 2020
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 2020 edition took place on Sunday April 12.
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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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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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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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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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 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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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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'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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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?
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Mathieu van der Poel expected to ride Paris-Roubaix in 2020, says Christian Prudhomme
Mathieu van der Poel is expected to ride next year’s Paris-Roubaix, after his team were not invited to the 2019 race.
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Niki Terpstra will miss Paris Roubaix after suffering 'severe concussion' in Tour of Flanders crash
The Direct Energie rider was knocked unconscious after crashing early on in the race
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The Monuments: Cycling’s five biggest one-day races
A guide to the five single-day pro bike races that make up cycling's Monuments
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John Degenkolb launches campaign to save junior Paris-Roubaix and smashes target in one day
John Degenkolb has launched a fundraising campaign to save the junior Paris-Roubaix race, raising more €10,000 in one day.
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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.
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Paolo Bettini: 'I hope Tafi doesn't race Roubaix, you need to do something else with your life at 52'
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Paris-Roubaix cobbled sector to receive mortar makeover to aid rider safety
Removal of vegetation will not reduce the sector's drama
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
