Former Road World Champion Philippe Gilbert won Sunday’s 117th edition of Paris-Roubaix in great style on a cold, sunny day in northern France. Winning Paris-Roubaix means the Belgian now has career victories at four of the five Monument races: the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia. It’s just Milan-Sanremo that eludes him, with two second places there so far. Only three riders in history have won all five. Gilbert’s performance at the Hell of the North was faultless, and the tough course took its toll, with punctures, mechanicals and crashes throughout its 257km. The 36-year-old stayed out of trouble and hit the front in a small group of quality riders that became five, attacking on sector 6 (the 23rd of 29 short cobbles sections), Bourghelles to Wannehain, at around 23km to the finish line. After repeated attacks the group ultimately became two – Gilbert and the German Nils Politt – with 15km to go, pacing each other before entering the iconic Roubaix outdoor velodrome where the day’s frenetic pace changed: Gilbert (Infinito R1) was always in control of a cat-and-mouse track game, springing from behind Politt to sprint to a 13” victory, arms aloft after six hours of bruising racing. “I knew I was in good form, I could feel it last week. I think I did a great race today. I still have this dream to win all five Monuments and I’m getting closer,” said a dusty and elated Gilbert straight after the race. Clear your diary for Sunday 14th April, sit back and enjoy the 117th edition of Paris-Roubaix, comprising 257km and 29 sections of pave covering 54.5km. The ‘Queen of the Classics’ is arguably the most prestigious one-day race in cycling and begins in Compiegne, situated to the east of the French capital, before finishing in the iconic open-air velodrome at Roubaix. In between the riders face debilitating cobbles with the Troueé d’Arenberg (164.5km), Mons-en-Pévèle (212km) and Carrefour de l’Arbre (242.5km) given five-star status as the hardest and longest of the race. There’s a degree of respite before then with the 29 sectors of pave not beginning until the 97km mark. The biggest crowds of the day are often reserved for sector 5 (Camphin-en-Pévèle, 239.5km) and sector 4 (Carrefour de l’Arbre) where the final attacks are typically made. Will the biggest cheers be reserved for Philippe Gilbert (Infinito R1 shoes)? The 36-year-old legend made his Paris-Roubaix debut in 2018 and looked strong in the lead group before suffering from hydration issues. Has he learnt his fuelling lesson second time around? After a strong ride for World Champion Alejandro Valverde at Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, Movistar Team’s hopes now rest on Belgian Jurgen Roelandts’ shoulders. The 33-year-old has been putting in some fine rides in the early part of the 2019 campaign – his first season with the Spanish team – and will relish the lead role, with support from a squad including the experience of Daniele Bennati, 38, and the youth of Jamie Castrillo who has just turned 23. Team Sky’s attacking intent could come from any number of riders. Dylan van Baarle lit up last Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, forging a four-man breakaway for 20km of the 266km test. Van Baarle was reeled in but dug deep – again – in the final kilometer but lost out in a group sprint. Gianni Moscon and Luke Rowe both have Paris-Roubaix top-10s on their palmares. Wout van Aert leads Team Jumbo-Visma off the back of an assured Milan-Sanremo, third at Strade Bianche and second at the E3 BinckBank Classic. In his second Roubaix appearance, he’ll look for protection from the experienced Amund Grondahl Jansen and Maarten Wynants. AG2R La Mondiale has real strength in depth at Paris-Roubaix, specifically with Silvan Dillier and Oliver Naesen. Dillier was the only rider capable of staying with Peter Sagan at the 2018 edition, the two leaders entering the velodrome together before the Slovak pipped the Swiss at the line. Naesen has enjoyed spring, finishing second at Milan-Sanremo and third at Gent-Wevelgem… can the 28-year-old turn them into victory come Sunday 14th?
