Three of the cobbled sections of Paris-Roubaix 2015 will be in the 4th stage of the upcoming Tour de France: Quiévy à Saint-Python Saint-Python and Verchain-Maugré. These are the third, fourth and sixth sector in the Hell of the North.
The first hundred kilometres is the calm before the storm. No cobblestones, just racing through the flat fields of northern France. The cobbles begin with 97.5 kilometres done at Troisvilles à Inchy and after four kilometres of asphalt Viesly à Quiévy is the next one. This one is barely done and Quiévy à Saint-Python appears, in 3,673 metres the second longest sector of pavé in the course.
The race unfolds like this for the rest of the day. Every few kilometres the riders are shaken on a new cobbled sector. The longest of the day leads from Hornaing to Wandignies-Hamage in 3,713 metres, while Trouée d’Arenberg (after 158 kilometres, 2,284 metres long), Mons-en-Pévèle (after 205 kilometres, 2,985 metres) and the Carrefour de l’Arbre (after 236.5 kilometres, 2,086 metres) are the toughest.
Carrefour de l’Arbre is often decisive. The first half is flat with a number of tricky corners. At 1,200 metres a difficult left-hand bend leads to a slight ascent, paved with irregular cobbles from hell. The sector ends at Cafe L’Auberge de l’Arbre and the riders turn right to head for Roubaix.
After two harmless sectors – Gruson and Willems à Hem – the last cobbled sector is in Roubaix, but that’s mainly a tribute to the race with neatly organised cobbles. At the end, riders turn right towards the old velodrome. One and a half lap on the track and we will know the victor of Paris-Roubaix 2015.
Click here to read race results and race report.
Paris-Roubaix 2015: Route, times, videos and more!
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