It’s called the Hell of the North for a reason. Go ride your bike for 254 kilometers through dirt, dust, mud and anything else unpleasant you can think of. Just make sure you also rode through 27 different sets of cobblestones totaling over 50 kilometers and then finish with a lap and a half in a velodrome where strategy is just as important as strength. Then you’ll have an idea of what the peloton deals with in the annual Paris-Roubaix.
I could hardly contain my excitement approaching the velodrome. I spotted the team buses from a distance so I knew I was almost there!
Unfortunately, the French police sent me round and round in circles. There are plenty of spots from which to watch the race, but only one way to get into the stadium apparently. At least I got to see the 1km to go banner! Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to figure out how to get in the stadium, which was initially really frustrating, so I found a place that seemed like it would have a good vantage point.
I arrived shortly before the finish of the Junior Paris-Roubaix. I don’t know the course specifics, but the under-23 cyclists compete over a distance of 128.3 kilometers and, like the pros, finish in the velodrome. I could see right away that I would have a great view of the cyclists rounding the corner, so I quickly got over my disappointment of not sitting in the stands.
I wasn’t familiar with any of their names, but the Juniors race was good fun to watch. Only 66 riders finished and over 40 abandoned. Riders race by country, as opposed to under a sponsor. Dane Mads Pedersen won in 3:21:24 while Belgian Nathan Van Hooydonck and Brit Tao Geoghegan finished second and third, respectively. Belgium won the best team. In fact they were one of the few teams without a single rider to abandon.
There were still a good while until the pros were due to arrive, but there were plenty of things to watch: the Juniors’ peloton finish, the crew blow all the dirt off the track with leaf blowers, and the race live on a giant screen.
The crowd eagerly counted down the kilometers and, finally, race leaders Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland, Radioshack Leopard Trek) and Sep Vanmarke (Belgium, Blanco) entered the stadium. Cancellara was heavily favored to win the event given his form and that many of his closest rivals were sitting out this year’s Paris-Roubaix for various reasons. The pair burst onto the track at top speed with Cancellara looking over his shoulder at Vanmarcke and almost immediately they started a slow game of cat and mouse. Neither wanted to be in the lead and by the time they had finished three quarters of a lap, Vanmarcke was stuck in front with Cancellara tucked in behind.
They continued at what looked like a leisurely pace, even though they both must have had ample adrenaline pumping through their veins, right through the next turn.
Everyone was going crazy cheering for both Cancellara, the favorite and an all around well respected cyclist, and Vanmarcke from neighboring Belgium. Seconds later, Cancellara made his move and outgunned the Belgian just as the next group entered the track!
Niki Terpstra (Netherlands, Omega Pharma-Quick Step), reigning Dutch road champion, won a bunch sprint for third place.
Terpstra and Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic, Omega Pharma-Quick Step) after finishing.
Meanwhile, Cancellara was so exhausted he needed help walking.
Vanmarcke and Terpstra were in somewhat better condition.
Riders confront their directeurs sportif and journalists.
Johan Vansummeren (Belgium, Garmin), the 2011 Paris-Roubaix winner.
Filippo Pozzato (Italy, Lampre) and Luca Paolini (Italy, Katusha).
Tyler Farrar (USA, Garmin), bloody and dirty.
Jack Bauer (New Zealand, Garmin).
The podium.
Just because the race was over didn’t mean the fun was over! Happily for me and every other cycling fan, the exit poured the spectators out right in the midst of the team buses. This poor Katusha rider had to pull his luggage behind him as he tried to ride to his bus!
It was packed!
At the Garmin bus, Johan Vansummeren and Martijn Maaskant (Netherlands) both chatted with family and colleagues.
Getting my picture with Bernhard Eisel (Austria, Sky).
Niki Terpstra gives an interview in front of his team bus.
Results
1. Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland, RadioShack Leopard Trek, 5:45:33
2. Sep Vanmarcke, Belgium, Blanco, same time
3. Niki Terpstra, Netherlands, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, +0:00:31
4. Greg Van Avermaet, Belgium, BMC, same time
5. Damien Gaudin, France, Europcar, same time
6. Zdenek Stybar, Czech Republic, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, +0:00:39
7. Sebastian Langeveld, Norway, Orica-Green Edge, same time
8. Juan Antonio Flecha, Spain, Vacansoleil, same time
9. Alexander Kristoff, Norway, Katusha, +0:00:50
10. Sebastien Turgot, France, Europcar, same time
Judging from the cyclists’ dirt-caked faces, it’s clear that Paris-Roubaix lived up to its nickname as the Hell of the North, but it’s nothing but sheer joy for cycling fans.
