To win Paris-Roubaix, according to 2004 victor Magnus Backstedt, you need to know every section of the route – pavé or tarmac – inside out.
And with the prestigious race just two days away, it is little surprise to see pro cycling’s elite out on a recce of the course.
Defending champion and pre-race favourite Fabian Cancellara was among the riders who wasted little time in familiarising himself with the cobbles post-Scheldeprjs.
And photographer Stefano Sirotti was on hand to snap the riders out on some of the race’s most iconic sections of pavé.
Take a look at the full-width gallery below.