#Grit cycle professional#

It was first run in 1896 and has stopped only for the two world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.

#Grit cycle professional#

Paris–Roubaix is one of the oldest races of professional road cycling. Share of the Société Anonyme du Vélodrome de Roubaix, issued 3 March 1899 2.2.6 Roubaix, Espace Charles Crupelandt.Other than during the world wars and, in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic (the April 2021 race was postponed to October), it has taken place every year from its inception. The forçats du pavé seek to keep the course safe for riders while maintaining its difficulty. The course is maintained by Les Amis de Paris–Roubaix, a group of fans of the race formed in 1983. The race is organised by the media group Amaury Sport Organisation annually in mid-April. Since 1943, the finish has for the most part taken place in the Roubaix Velodrome. The race has also seen several controversies, with winners disqualified.įrom its beginning in 1896 until 1967, it started in Paris and ended in Roubaix in 1966 the start moved to Chantilly and since 1977 it has started in Compiègne, about 85 kilometres (53 mi) north-east of the centre of Paris.

Despite the esteem of the race, some cyclists dismiss it because of its difficult conditions. Punctures and other mechanical problems are common and often influence the result. The terrain has led to the development of specialised frames, wheels and tyres.

Since 1977, the winner of Paris–Roubaix has received a sett (cobble stone) as part of his prize. It has been called the Hell of the North, a Sunday in Hell (also the title of a film about the 1976 race), the Queen of the Classics or la Pascale: the Easter race. Paris–Roubaix is famous for rough terrain and cobblestones, or pavé ( setts), being, with the Tour of Flanders, E3 Harelbeke and Gent–Wevelgem, one of the cobbled classics. The most recent edition was held on 17 April 2022 It is one of cycling's oldest races, and is one of the ' Monuments' or classics of the European calendar, and contributes points towards the UCI World Ranking. Paris–Roubaix is a one-day professional bicycle road race in northern France, starting north of Paris and finishing in Roubaix, at the border with Belgium.