Paris–Roubaix 2012

Loathed but loved, hated but respected

Coldcobble

Paris-Roubaix 2012 - Sunday, April, 8^th

Hell of the North or l'enfer du Nord, Paris-Roubaix’s 27 sections of cobbles in northern France lie at the heart of cycling’s most spectacular one-day Classic.

As Ireland’s undisputed King of the Classics and 2 times winner of Paris-Roubaix Sean Kelly once said:

"Paris-Roubaix is the most horrible bike race to ride, but the most wonderful to win."

   To get an idea what the race is about:

Paris–Roubaix is one of the oldest races of professional road cycling. It was first run in 1896 and has stopped only for two world wars.

Originally, the race was from Paris to Roubaix, but in 1966 the start moved to Chantilly, 50 km north, then in 1977 to Compiègne, 80 km north. From Compiègne it now follows a 260 km winding route north to Roubaix, hitting the first cobbles just before 100 km. During the last 160 km the cobbles extend more than 50 km. The race culminates with 750m on the smooth concrete of the large outdoor velodrome in Roubaix.

The route is adjusted from year to year as older roads are resurfaced and the organizers seek more cobbles to maintain the character of the race. In 2012, the race includes 51.5 km of cobbles (257.5 km). 

Trouée d’Arenberg

The Trouée d'Arenberg, Tranchée d'Arenberg, (Trench of Arenberg), Trouee de Wallers Arenberg, has become the symbol of Paris–Roubaix (first used in 1968). Officially 'La Drève des Boules d'Herin', the 2400m of cobbles were laid in the time of Napoleon I through the Raismes Forest-Saint-Amand-Wallers, close to Wallers and Valenciennes.

The road was proposed for Paris–Roubaix by former professional Jean Stablinski, who had worked in the mine under the woods of Arenberg. Although it is almost 100 km from Roubaix, the sector usually proves decisive. According to Cyclingnews, Stablinski said,

"Paris-Roubaix is not won in Arenberg, but from there the group with the winners is selected."

A Sunday in Hell

A Sunday in Hell (original title: En Forårsdag i Helvede) is a 1976 Danish documentary film directed by Jørgen Leth. The film is a chronology of the 1976 Paris–Roubaix bicycle race from the perspective of participants, organizers and spectators. You can't miss the movie!!!

The cobblestones sectors in 2012 Paris-Roubaix

Paris (Compiègne) Roubaix - 257.5 km

Section	Kilometers	Lieu	Lenght (km)
27	97,5	Troisvilles à Inchy	2,2
26	104	Viesly à Quiévy	1,8
25	106,5	Quiévy à Saint-Python	3,7
24	111,5	Saint-Python	1,5
23	119,5	Vertain à Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon	2,3
22	126	Capelle-sur-Écaillon à Ruesnes	1,7
21	142	Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes - Famars	2,6
20	145,5	Famars à Quérénaing	1,2
19	149	Quérénaing à Maing	2,5
18	152	Maing à Monchaux-sur-Écaillon	1,6
17	163,5	Haveluy à Wallers	2,5
16	172	Trouée d’Arenberg	2,4
15	178,5	Millonfosse à Bousignies	1,4
14	183	Brillon à Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes	1,1
14	185,5	Tilloy à Sars-et-Rosières	2,4
13	192	Beuvry-la-Forêt à Orchies	1,4
12	197	Orchies	1,7
11	203	Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée	2,6
10	208,5	Mons-en-Pévèle	3,0
9	215	Mérignies à Avelin	0,7
8	218	Pont-Thibaut à Ennevelin	1,4
7	223,5	Templeuve - L’Épinette	0,2
7	224	Templeuve – Moulin de Vertain	0,5
6	230,5	Cysoing à Bourghelles	1,3
6	233	Bourghelles à Wannehain	1,1
5	237,5	Camphin-en-Pévèle	1,8
4	240,5	Carrefour de l’Arbre	2,1
3	242,5	Gruson	1,1
2	249,5	Willems à Hem	1,4
1	256,5	Roubaix	0,3
		Total distance of cobbles:	51,5