Sunday sees the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix, one of the most eagerly awaited races of the year, and ahead of the weekend teams are reconnoitring some of the secteurs of pavé such as the Trouée d’Arenberg and Carrefour de l’Arbre, that they will have to negotiate to on their way to the finish in Roubaix’s historic velodrome.
Here’s a brief round-up of videos to help whet your appetite ahead of Sunday, including a rider’s view of the pavé on a recce ride, plus one of only two men to have won the race on four occasions talking about what it takes to win it.
First up, here’s Daniel Oss of BMC Racing joining his team mates for a ride over the pavé, to the accompaniment of Blondie’s One Way or Another.
Here's a video from Lotto NL-Jumbo helmet sponsor Bell with team riders including Sep Vanmarcke - second to Fabian Cancellara two years ago - sharing their thoughts on what makes Paris-Roubaix so special.
Three years ago, Tom Boonen rode more than 50 kilometres solo to win the race for the fourth time, equalling the record of fellow Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck, who triumphed on four occasions in the 1970s. Boonen is missing this year through injury, but in this video for Specialized he talks about the qualities needed to win a race that he believes he will most be remembered for once his career has finished.
Race organisers ASO have also released a couple of videos in the build-up to the race. First off, here’s highlights from 2014.
And finally, in case you weren’t aware, a certain cyclist is riding his last race for a top-flight team on Sunday, and has ambitions to go out with victory in the Queen of the Classics … here’s a tribute of sorts from ASO.
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Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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