66th Paris-Roubaix 1968 (France)

Save the Cobbles!!!

SPECIAL NOTE: The battle between economic progress in Northern France and the traditional cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix had begun several years earlier. P-R organizer Jean Garnault worked hard on a campaign to “save the cobbles”. He designed a new course which started in Chantilly and headed due north towards Valenciennes (a course very similar to the present day race course). 

The cobbles of the new course started in Solesmes (at 151.1 km into the race) and included the first entry into the brutalcobbled section of Arenberg Forest. The new race course met with rave reviews.

World Champion Eddy Merckx in his rainbow jersey came to the start in Chantilly looking for his first major success of the year. By the halfway mark Merckx staarted his furious pace that few could follow. Herman Van Springel through the cobbled sections was the final rider to hold the Cannibal’s wheel.

Van Springel led going into the velodrome but Merckx was in control. Around the final bend Merckx dropped down the velodrome banking and sprinted to the victory.  For Eddy Merckx this was his first of three Paris-Roubaix victories.

P-R 1967

P-R 1969

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