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The one-day cycle race in the north of France is also
known as the "Hell of the
North", because an important part of the course
is ridden over the cobblestones which are characteristic
for this area. The description "Hell of the North" was
first used in 1919 by a journalist who followed the
first edition after the First World War, and was deeply
impressed by the ravages of war in northern France.
Depending on the weather conditions, these cobblestone
sections are either dusty or extremely slippery.
The textile manufacturers Theo Vienne and Maurice Perez
organized the race for the first time in 1896, with the
exception of the two world wars, the race is held every
year. Today, the organization of the race is in the
hands of the Société du Tour de France, which also
organizes the Tour de France.
Originally, the race was held from
Paris to
Roubaix, a suburb
of Lille. Because of the large distance, the start moved
to the north. In 1968, under the leadership of Jean
Stablinski, the starting line was drawn for the first
time in the historical town of
Compiègne, which is
about 80 kilometers north of Paris. The finish is
traditionally at the velodrome in Roubaix, where the
riders still have to cycle one and a half round.
Paris-Roubaix got its reputation of cobblestone race
only after the First World War. Cobblestones were
admittedly not unknown in that area, but before that
period they were riding on dusty roads full of debris
and gravel. Many of the roads, which were ruined in the
First World War, were repaired with cobbles.
From the sixties, many of those cobblestones disappeared
under a layer of asphalt, but they had given such a
unique character to Paris-Roubaix that the organization
is doing its best to find original cobblestone sections
and if possible protect them as heritage.
The riders have to cycle nowadays over more than 50
kilometers of cobblestones. Known sections are the
Trouée de Wallers-Arenberg,
Mons-en-Pévèle and
the Carrefour de l'Arbre.
Important
: These tough and dangerous cobble-stone sections of
Paris-Roubaix can frighten potential participants. We
want to take this scare away by handing out an
alternative route over well paved roads. You can decide
yourself whether you opt for the real Paris-Roubaix
route with cobblestones or rather prefer the easier
variant over good asphalt.
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91 km |
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161 km |
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1st part Paris-Roubaix |
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121 km |
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2nd part Paris-Roubaix |
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126 km |
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