Race favourite Tom Boonen, Tour of Flanders runner-up Filippo Pozzato and Team Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha were among the riders to recce the Arenberg Forest and Orchie’s sectors of pavé ahead of Paris-Roubaix.

With the Hell of the North less than 48 hours away, the race favourites wasted little time in checking out the cobbles to test equipment and fine-tine race form

Boonen said: “It’s always good to test the material, the last set up before the race. Everything was OK with it. I am in good shape, and the recon was good. The [Specialized Roubaix] bikes and Zipp wheels are perfect. I also checked my spare bike in case of anything.”

Here’s a selection images from WorldTour photographer Stefano Sirotti…