Paris-Roubaix: why does the race not start from Paris? Every year, this famous race brings together hundreds of runners and thousands of (television) viewers. But despite its name, it does not start from the capital. Here’s why.
This weekend was the 120th edition of the very famous cycling race. Better known as “Hell of the North” or “the tough of the tough”the runners cover on average 250 km in one day. What makes her so famous are surely the cobbled areas on which cyclists ride. And even if its name may suggest that the race connects the capital to Roubaix, in the north of France, this is no longer the caseand has been for a long time.
Paris, Chantilly, then Compiègne
Since 1968, the starting line is no longer in Paris. A time in Chantillyshe goes since 1977 from the city of Compiegne 90 km northeast of the capital. And the reason is quite logical. The race is known for its mythical cobblestones which guarantee falls and punctures every year. There modernization of roads near the capital therefore pushes the organizers to relocate the start to respect the original spirit of the race.
Paris-Roubaix 2023
As it concerns the 2023 winnersit’s the Dutch Mathieu van der Poel who wins this 120th edition in 5 hours, 28 minutes and 41 seconds. And if you were wondering, no, we still don’t have a Frenchman in the top 3. You have to go back to 2012 to find a Frenchman in second place with Sebastien Turgot. You even have to go back to 1997 to see Fréderic Guesdon get the gold medal. Maybe in 2024…
Headline photo: Paris-Roubaix 2015 © Radu Razvan
K.C.
