par Camille
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Monday, April 11, 2022
Considered to be one of the oldest cycling races, the Paris-Roubaix is run every year, in March or April. The 119ᵉ edition of this race will take place this Sunday, April 17, 2022 and good news, you can reach the finish line with ilévia.
Summary
What is Paris-Roubaix?
A key event at the start of the year, the Paris-Roubaix is a 253-kilometre cycling race made up of around thirty stages. This famous race is also, and above all, marked by around fifty kilometers on a paved road ending in the Hauts-de-France at Roubaix.
What is the date of Paris-Roubaix 2022?
For 2022, Paris-Roubaix is finally back for the 17 avril 2022. Indeed, it has been two years since Paris-Roubaix could not be launched in April.
What is the nickname of Paris-Roubaix?
Paris-Roubaix is commonly nicknamed “the hell of the North”. Other nicknames have been given to her over the years such as “the tough one”, “the Pascale”, “the queen of the classics” or even “the most beautiful of the classics”.
So many nicknames to define a mythical race that all cyclists remember thanks to, or because of, the kilometers of stages taking place on the famous cobblestones of the North.
Race History
Created in 1896 by Théodore Vienne just after the opening of the Vélodrome de Roubaix, the Paris-Roubaix has evolved over the years to become a true monument of cycling.
The beginnings of Paris-Roubaix
At the beginning of 1895, two spinners from Roubaix, Théodore Vienne and Maurice Pérez, decided to build a velodrome near Barbieux Park between Croix and Roubaix. Already at the time, Barbieux Park was the place where athletes met to train in what is considered the most beautiful park in northern France.
To take care of the Vélodrome de Roubaix, the architect Auguste Dominique Joseph Dupire, to whom we also owe the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste de Roubaix, was commissioned. Work began in April 1895 and ended at the end of May of the same year. On June 9, 1895, the Vélodrome de Roubaix was inaugurated with a competition consisting of 7 events taking place in front of several thousand spectators.
It was in 1896 that Théodore Vienne and Maurice Pérez had the idea of creating the race known to everyone today: the Paris-Roubaix, whose finish line is located in the very heart of the velodrome.
Bike Magazinea cycling magazine whose 1is number dates from 1968, is chosen to follow the event. The editor of the magazine’s cycling section, Victor Breyer (1869-1960), was responsible for covering the race. The journalist makes the journey in a Panhard 6CV to Amiens and completes the route by bicycle to Roubaix. After crossing the paved roads, in the rain, Victor Breyer asks for the cancellation of this “diabolical project”, which he considers dangerous.
The Paris-Roubaix project faces several oppositions, such as that of the clergy who justifies their opposition with the date which prevents runners and spectators from attending the service scheduled for Easter Sunday.
The first Paris-Roubaix took place with 51 riders, including 45 professionals, on April 19, 1896.
The old race route
From 1896 to 1965, the first 63 editions of Paris-Roubaix did not see their course change. The departure was in Paris or its suburbs to pass through Pontoise, Beauvais, Amiens, Doullens, Arras, Hénin-Liétard to arrive in Roubaix bypassing Lille by Seclin, Lesquin and Hem.
However, from 1906 to 1909, a detour via Douai was made, at the request of the organizers, to avoid the Hénin-Liétard-Carvin sector following the Courrières disaster.
In 1919, the Paris-Roubaix runners passed through Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and Béthune after Doullens, the war having made the usual roads impassable.
With the disappearance of paved roads in Arras and Hénin-Carvin, new roads were sought in the Pévèle from 1955 onwards. adoption of a new course in 1966.
Each year, as old roads are resurfaced and new cobblestone areas discovered, the route is adjusted.
The different places of departure
Initially, Paris-Roubaix started in the Paris region. From 1966 to 1976 the cycle race started from Chantilly in Picardy. Since 1977, it starts from Compiègne.
The arrival
After having started from Chantilly from 1966 to 1977, Compiègne became the departure city for the Paris-Roubaix race. Route 260 kilometers north to Roubaix, the route is winding and reaches the first cobblestones after 100 kilometers. The event ends with 750 meters to go on the smooth concrete track of the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix, a worthy successor to the first Roubaix velodrome destroyed in 1924.
Due to the Paris-Roubaix race, lines L3, L4, L8, CIT5, 33, 34, 36, 66 and 78 will be diverted from Saturday April 16 from 10 a.m. until Sunday April 17 at 7 p.m. The diversion map below informs about the routes of these lines during the diversion.
To get to the Vélodrome and attend the arrival of the Paris-Roubaix, you can take line 2 of the metro, line 33 of the Ilévia bus network as well as the Liane 3 or Liane 4. You will thus be able to find a place of choice in the Vélodrome to experience the arrival of Paris-Roubaix live
Getting to the Velodrome by metro
By metro, line 2 will take you to the heart of Roubaix. Getting off at the station Euro winter report you can reach the Vélodrome by bus in about fifteen minutes.
Getting to the Velodrome by bus
If you want to reach the Vélodrome by bus, you can take:
- the L3 at Eurotéléport direction Toufflers Douane, “Coubertin” stop,
- the L4 at Eurotéléport towards Center Commercial, “Coubertin” stop,
- Line 33 at Eurotéléport direction Coeur de Ville, “Coubertin” stop.
Use a V’lille to get to the Velodrome
You can also go to the Vélodrome de Roubaix en V’lille. The “Usine” station is available within a 15-minute walk from your destination.
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