Paris-Roubaix Challenge

Think of a European sportive and you may conjure images of warm sunshine, long mountain passes and exhilarating descents, but the Spring Classics are an altogether different prospect, with bone-juddering cobbles and steep climbs (often together), combined with testing early-season weather.

Each Classic is iconic in its own right but Paris-Roubaix is cycling’s most brutal one-day race and the Paris-Roubaix Challenge gives sportive riders the chance to test themselves over the brutal pavé of northern France.

This year’s Challenge takes place on Saturday April 12, 24 hours before the race itself, so make a weekend of it and see how Fabian Cancellara and co. conquer the cobbles. There are three routes – 70km, 141km and 170km – to choose from depending on the rider’s fitness, experience and, more significantly, bravery.

Otherwise, sportives are also held over the parcours of a variety of other Spring Classics, including Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, the Amstel Gold Race, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Date: Saturday April 12
Routes: 70km, 141km, 170km
Price: €20, €25, €30
Website: Paris-Roubaix Challenge