Paris-Roubaix Challenge, Saturday April 11
Paris-Roubaix Challenge, Saturday April 11
The Queen of the Classics, Hell of the North – call it what you will, Paris-Roubaix is arguably the most iconic – and toughest – of all the Classics.
And the Paris-Roubaix Challenge on Saturday April 11 will see amateurs take on the same iconic secteurs of pavé as the professional will hurtle over a day later.
The full route for this year’s sportive measures 170km, starting in Busigny and finishing in Roubaix, and while some way short of the 253km course set to be ridden by Sir Bradley Wiggins and co, still represents a major challenge to amateur rides. The complete details of the route will be announced after the official press conference of the pro race in early April, but expect to sample all the major pavé secteurs.
Two shorter routes of 141k and 70k are also on offer, and as they start and finish in Roubaix, as opposed to the A-to-B nature of the full route, offer less of a logistical headache and give riders ample opportunity to find out just how tough the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix are.
Like the professional race, the sportive concludes with a lap of the Roubaix Velodrome where the likes of Wiggo, Geraint Thomas, defending champion Niki Terpstra, and Fabian Cancellara will hope to raise their arms aloft the following day.
Routes: 70km, 141km, 170km
Entry fee: €25-€35 in advance, €30-€40 on-site
Website: Paris-Roubaix Challenge