ASO, organisers of the biggest momument of them all – Paris-Roubaix – have been busy rating the cobbled sections in this Sundays race
News – Paris-Roubaix – The Cobbles Ratings Game
Following Christian Prudhomme, Jean-François Pescheux and Thierry Gouvenou’s reconnaissance of the course on April 7, the organisers have rated the difficulty of the 28 cobbled sectors in the race according to their length, the unevenness of the cobbles, the overall condition of the sectors and their location.
Although the difficulties that spice it up can change from year to year, the course itself remains gruelling and unpredictable season after season. This time around, three cobbled sectors are making their comeback to the Queen of Classics after several editions off the map.
The first big déjà -vu comes in Troisvilles (km 97.5), where the bunch will deviate from last year’s course for a detour through Solesmes, Saulzoir and then Famars. Lots of people came to the reconnaissance, which was open to the media, and saw that the cobblestones of the Trouée d’Arenberg were covered with a layer of moss and grass that could make it even more difficult for riders to stay on their bikes!
The winners and losers of the fearsome selection that will take place in the Trouée will then tackle the “Pont Gibus”, including the sections the peloton will shoot through in the opposite direction in stage 5 of this year’s Tour de France.
Christian Prudhomme also took the time to inaugurate the finish line of the July 9 stage in Wallers and stress the importance of this key moment of the Tour: “Just like high-mountain climbs and tricky descents, cobblestones are one of the specialities of cycling.
It makes sense for them to feature in the Tour de France every now and then. Indeed, the last time we dropped by, in 2010, turned out to be a thrilling stage.” Before they even consider the potential of this section to shake up the general classification of the Tour, those still in the mix at the 112th edition of Paris–Roubaix will have two more five-star sectors left to try and land the knock-out blow, one in Mons-en-Pévèle and another at the Carrefour de l’Arbre. Failing this, the velodrome will decide everything!
The 28 cobbled sectors of Paris–Roubaix
28. Troisvilles (km 97.5 – 2,200 m) +++
27. Viesly (km 104 – 1,800 m) +++
26. Quiévy (km 106.5 – 3,700 m) ++++
25. Saint-Python (km 111 – 1,500 m) ++
24. Solesmes (km 119.5 – 800 m) ++
23. Saulzoir (km 126 – 1,200 m) ++
22. Verchain-Maugré (km 130.5 – 1,600 m) +++
21. Quérénaing – Famars (km 135 – 1,200 m) ++
20. Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 140.5 – 1,600 m) +++
19. Haveluy (km 153 – 2,500 m) ++++
18. Trouée d’Arenberg (km 161.5 – 2,400 m) +++++
17. Wallers – Hélesmes, aka “Pont Gibus” (km 167.5 – 1,600 m)
16 Hornaing (km 174.5 – 3,700 m) ++++
15. Warlaing – Brillon (km 182 – 2,400 m) +++
14. Tilloy – Sars-et-Rosières (km 185 – 2,400 m) ++++
13. Beuvry-la-Forêt – Orchies (km 191.5 – 1,400m) +++
12. Orchies (km 196.5 – 1,700 m) +++
11. Auchy-lez-Orchies – Bersée (km 202.5 – 2,700 m) ++++
10. Mons-en-Pévèle (km 208 – 3,000 m) +++++
9. Mérignies – Avelin (km 214 – 700 m) ++
8. Pont-Thibaut (km 217.5 – 1,400 m) +++
7. Templeuve – Moulin de Vertain (km 223.5 – 500 m) ++
6. Cysoing – Bourghelles (km 230 – 1,300 m) ++++
5a Bourghelles – Wannehain (km 232.5 – 1,100 m) +++
5. Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 237 – 1,800 m) ++++
4. Le Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 240 – 2,100 m) +++++
3. Gruson (km 242 – 1,100 m) ++
2. Hem (km 249 – 1,400 m) ++
1. Roubaix (km 256 – 300 m) +
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- RR Result: East Cleveland Classic
- Features, Reports, Results
- Crit Result: Tameside Cycling Development Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: 2024 West Thames League 1
- Startlist: The Drummond Trophy
- TT Result: VTTA Surrey/Sussex 10 mile TT
- TTT Result: Scorton TTT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 25m TT
- TT Result: Stowmarket & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Paceline RT Sporting TT
- TT Result: Hereford & District Wheelers 25m TT
- RR Result: Yorkshire RRL #1
- Crit Result: Scottish Student Cycling Criterium Championships
- Events: Dave Peck Memorial
- EVENTS: Proper Northern Road Races – Round 2 Oakenclough
- TT Result: Blaydon CC Two Up TT
- TT Result: Kent CA 10m TT
- TT Result: Wessex RC 24m TT
- TT Result: Easterley RC 25m TT
- TT Result: Cranbrook CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Penzance Wheelers 12.5m TT
- TT Result: Fife Century RC 25m TT
- TT Result: Bramley Wheelers 10m TT
- TT Result: Mid Shropshire Wheelers 25m TT
- Youth Result: Hog Hill GP (National Youth Series)
- RR Result: Velo Club Venta Spring Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain
- Crit Result: Ennerdale Season Openers 2
- RR Result: NCRA Handicap RR (week 5)
- RR Result: Surrey League 2/3 (April 14)
- Report/Result: TLI Cycling Dave Astles Memorial Races
- RR Result: Cadence Junior Road Race
- Crit Result: Matlock CC Darley Moor Circuit Race #1
- Startlist: PB Performance Espoirs Road Race
- Crit Result: RBL Race Series 1 (MK Bowl)
- Crit Result: Ride Flux Spring Crit series #1
- Crit Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Crit Result: Full Gas Summer Series 1
- East Cleveland Classic: Saint Piran Team
- News: New kit for Ribble Rebellion Riders
- Crit Result: Thruxton Midweek Circuit Races
Other News on VeloUK
- Startlist: The Drummond Trophy
- Events: Dave Peck Memorial
- EVENTS: Proper Northern Road Races – Round 2 Oakenclough
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: PB Performance Espoirs Road Race
- East Cleveland Classic: Saint Piran Team
- News: New kit for Ribble Rebellion Riders
- Events: Halesowen Friday Track Nights
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion off to the USA
- News: Pedal Club Lunch (March)
- Rider News: Winning start for Billy Ladle
- News: CiCLE Classic 2024
- Startlist: Stars of the SW Men’s U23 RR
- Startlist: Danum Trophy 2024 (Nat B)
- Startlists: London Dynamo Road Races
- Startlist: La Fleche Waltonne Road Races (BMCR)
- Meet Ribble HoloRider
- Startlists: East Cleveland Classic 2024
- Former Winners: Lincoln Grand Prix
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- Team Report: Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team
- Team Report: CiCLE Classic Junior Men
- RIDER REPORTS – Zoe Parker (Solihull CC)
- GB News: Two World Titles for GB at Para Worlds
- Team News: Alba Development Road Team
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- THIS WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT