Paris-Robaix
Queen of the Classics

The “Hell of the North” was first raced in 1896 and of all the races on today's calendar this event is the closest to it's roots. Each spring the fans eagerly await the battle over the infamous stretches of cobbles. The Forest of Arenberg , the Carrefour de l'Arbre, Gruson, Hem and many others have remained unchanged almost since Napoleonic times. It is interesting to note that in spite of the dramatic changes in technology, training, diet and in-race team support since the 1980's, the average speed of the race has remained constant. In fact the fastest race was won by Peter Post in 1964. In 1946 Rik Van Steenbergen dramatically elevated the winning speed from pre-war times to a fraction over 43kmph. Few modern P-R's exceed this speed.

This race, above all others, holds an almost mythical magnetism. The raw athletic challenge of racing a bike over merciless cobbles, holes and mud instils fear into most racers. For often the race is accompanied by apocalyptic weather being blown across the plains of Flanders from the icy North Sea . Other great races like the World Championships have been known to fall to second string riders. Not so the Paris-Roubaix. The role of honor is a “who's who” of cycling history which is perhaps only equalled by the Tour de France. Many riders hate the race but truly great champions want the queen of the Classics on their palmarès. Bernard Hinault was one such rider who despised the conditions of the P-R but in 1981 he bit the bullet. At the finish he out-sprinted Francesco Moser and Roger De Vlaeminck who between them won seven editions of the P-R.

Although run on French soil, the P-R belongs to the Belgian riders who between them have amassed 53 wins. It is not surprising that a Belgian claims the most wins: Roger De Vlaeminck with four wins.

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