No kaleidoscope of road cycling, Paris-Roubaix emerges as a unique gem, an annual saga that challenges the brave on the roads of northern France, bordering the Belgian frontier. A tradition dating back to 1896, when the starting shot was fired in Paris, culminating in Roubaix, thus baptizing the race. In 1968, the starting point shifted to Compiègne, about 60 km from the heart of Paris, while maintaining the finish in Roubaix. Dubbed the “Hell of the North,” “A Sunday in Hell,” “Queen of the Classics,” or “La Pascale,” the race is part of the elite European calendar and contributes to the global UCI hierarchy. An annual tradition in mid-April, orchestrated by the media group Amaury Sport Organisation.
Paris-Roubaix, one of the oldest races in the history of road cycling, began its epic journey in 1896. Its cobblestone-paved sections position it as one of the “pavé classics,” alongside Ronde van Vlaanderen and Gent-Wevelgem. Bicycles, adapted to face this unique challenge, see their frames and wheels custom-molded, while punctured tires and mechanical mishaps, common in this hostile territory, often decide the fates of competitors.
Despite general recognition, over the years, some of the great cyclists viewed the race as a kind of ordeal, given its challenging conditions. Paris-Roubaix also collects controversies, with disqualifications of potential winners for a variety of reasons.
The route is preserved by “Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix,” a group of enthusiasts formed in 1983. The “forçats du pavé” (prisoners of the cobblestone) keep the stone sections as safe as possible for cyclists, balancing care and challenge in the pursuit of glory.
Only 2 cyclists have won Paris-Roubaix 4 times:
- Roger De Vlaeminck (1972, 1974, 1975, 1977) – Belgium
- Tom Boonen (2005, 2008, 2009, 2012) – Belgium
Cyclists with 3 victories
- Desculpe pela confusão anterior. Aqui está a tradução das informações que você forneceu:
- Octave Lapize (1909, 1910, 1911) – France
- Gaston Rebry (1931, 1934, 1935) – Belgium
- Rik Van Looy (1961, 1962, 1965) – Belgium
- Eddy Merckx (1968, 1970, 1973) – Belgium
- Francesco Moser (1978, 1979, 1980) – Italy
- Johan Museeuw (1996, 2000, 2002) – Belgium
- Fabian Cancellara (2006, 2010, 2013) – Switzerland