Paris–Roubaix, arguably the greatest of cycling’s monuments, is upon us. The hell of the north covers 253 kilometres, with 27 sections of cobblestones over almost 53 kilometres. Join The Roar for our live coverage from 8:15pm (AEDT).
Paris–Roubaix is a mainly flat race that finishes on a velodrome, so if a few riders come to the line in a group track experience will come play.
But the most famous aspect of this most famous of races is the cobblestones.
The first section of cobbles comes after 98 kilometres, and from there they are thick and fast, with the longest respite for the riders in between cobbled sections just 13 km.
The race organisation gives each section of cobbles on course a difficulty rating out of five stars, and for the 2015 edition there are three sections rated the most difficult, five stars. In addition there are six sections rated 4 stars, and 13 sections rated as three stars.
The last three cobbled sections of the race in order are rated two, two and then the final 300 metre section, just before they come onto the velodrome, is one star. Strong riders must take advantage of the harder cobbles earlier in the race, meaning cobbled specialists will have to make long-range attacks to win.
With no Fabian Cancellara or Tom Boonen, it’s a wide open race.
Having won last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) is in good form and will no doubt be at the business end of Paris–Roubaix.
Last year’s winner Niki Terpstra (Etixx – Quickstep) was runner up in Flanders last weekend, and is sure to also feature at the pointy end.
Peter Sagan (Saxo) is a man with a point to prove after finishing fourth at the Tour of Flanders and never having won a monument despite his obvious talent.
Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas (Sky) are another pair of riders who want to excel, however their will be a lot of questions over their form and team’s performance following Sky’s disastrous Tour of Flanders.
The other major favourite is Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) who looked incredibly strong at the Tour of Flanders and is in the prime of his career.
But a split-second of hesitation in Paris–Roubaix can result in a crash, so there are so many other talented riders who are a chance at winning, such as Stijn Devolder (Trek), Heinrich Haussler and Sylvain Chavanel (both IAM), Luca Paolini (Katusha), and Andre Greipel (Lotto – Soudal).
The only thing even close to certain in the Paris – Roubaix is that a morning breakaway will not win the race, although you can bet your house there will be one.
The weather over the last week or so has not been good and the forecast is for this to continue right up to the race. Luckily for the riders it is not forecast to rain during the race, however the cobbles will more than likely be slippery and muddy, creating an even harder race.
It’s probably the hardest race on the professional cycling calendar to tip a winner for, but I’m going with Van Avermaet. He looked incredibly strong at Flanders, has a good team behind him, and he’s tactically a good rider.
Join us for our live coverage of the 2015 Paris from 8:15pm (AEST), and remember to leave your comments as the race unfolds!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Or if you're fanatical there is a replay of the last 20 km from the Tour of Flanders.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems Rob... Who is Tron? Fraction confused right now. Or maybe I'm just to tired to work it out?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Pleasure Sam, Thankyou for following along.
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
Hear hear! Cheers Scotty, you're better than Tron
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well what a race. The bell is still going as some of the other riders come into complete their final lap on the velodrome, however that's it in terms of the Roar's coverage for the 2015 Paris - Roubaix. Thanks for joining me here on the Roar this evening and I hope that you enjoyed the coverage of one of the true monuments of the cycling season. Obviously the cycling season will continue so why not check back in next Sunday right here on the Roar as I bring you live coverage of the Amstel Gold Race when the riders attention switches from the cobbles to the hills. Time to go and get some sleep, Goodnight!
Scott Pryde
Expert
So looking at the top 10, despite Team Sky's misfortune today Luke Rowe still comes into the top 10. Credit to the teas ability to recover throughout the day multiple times. Alexander Kristoff will be disappointed to have not followed up from last week but a top 10 is still a solid result. Quickstep had 2 in the top 10 but didn't win the race so disappointment for them.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And now John Degenkolb gets to lift the holy grail of classics. The cobble. How he has the strength ill never know.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Podium being done now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
2015 PARIS - ROUBAIX TOP 10 1 John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) - 5:49:51 2 Zdenek Stybar (Etixx - Quick-Step) - same time 3 Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) - same time 4 Lars Boom (Astana) - Same Time 5 Martin Elmiger (IAM) - Same Time 6 Jens Keukeleire (Orica) - Same TIme 7 Yves Lampaert (Etixx - Quick-Step) + 0:07 8 Luke Rowe (Sky) +0:28 9 Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) +0:29 10 Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) +0:31
Scott Pryde
Expert
Top 10 in a minute.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Thanks for the commentary Scott, I really appreciate the effort.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I don't know but Saxo are the best dressed team in the peloton. Could see em from outer space!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, if you had of asked me 4 hours ago what I didn't expect to come out of a Paris - Roubaix race it would be a 7 man sprint on the velodrome. In the end though Degenkolb played his cards perfectly today to end as the best sprinter and he was never really going to lose in the final. First things first and credit has to go to the breakaway that were ahead of the race for almost 200 km today. Greg Rast in particular was brilliant and they held their gap for a massive period of time. Eventually they were caught as a multitude of attacks, riders fighting for position on cobbles and teams shutting down attacks took over the race. The first major turning point of the race can be taken back almost 100 km with the Forest of Arenberg where Peter Sagan had a puncture and from there he was always in trouble. As he race got to about 40 km to go, Bradley Wiggins mounted an attack off the front of the peloton in pursuit of Vandenbergh. The pair worked hard to stay away but in the end they were caught as well. Etixx Quickstep looked to be the strongest team all day but in the end, even with the amount of numbers they had just couldn't mount anything. The penultimate attack of the day however was launched by Quickstep in the form of Lampaert, which Van Avermaet was smart enough to jump straight onto the back of. Then we saw Degenkold springboard off a team mate and ride superbly to bridge across to the leaders. He had to do the work if they wanted to stay away with Lars Boom powering a group of 4 from behind. Eventually after an attack from Stybar they did catch up and a 7 man sprint followed on the Roubaix veledrome which Degenkold took out in emphatic style. We saw a couple of riders, namely Bradley Wiggins try to bridge across from the third group but it was always going to be that they were too far behind to cause any change to the result of the race. Sky were a bit unlucky today as well it could be said losing plenty of riders to punctures and Geraint Thomas to a crash. Plenty of other crashes and punctures throughout including a last minute one to Sagan that cost him some spots no doubt about it. That however is the cruel nature of Paris - Roubaix. Well the race had everything twists, turns and a level rail crossing deciding to halt the race but in the end congratulations to John Degenkolb and Giant Acepelin.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
More seriously though what a true Hardman, went off the front and rode across to the leaders, pulled them into the velodrome and by then there was barley even a question as to who would take it out.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
These questions are important
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Was Degonkolb also the best dressed rider in the final group?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fire away with your questions as well if you have any.
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
Poor Stybar. No podium for Admiral Boom. Sucked in Wiggins.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full wrap up in a minute.
Scott Pryde
Expert
WHAT A RACE