ROUBAIX (FRANCIA) – Come accade ogni anno, si è svolta oggi la tradizionale ricognizione del percorso della Parigi-Roubaix da parte del direttore di organizzazione Thierry Gouvenou, che ha assegnato a ciascuno dei 29 settori di pietre e pavé che i corridori dovranno affrontare, un livello di difficoltà contraddistinto dalle stellette, e deciso sulla base dei seguenti criteri: lunghezza, irregolarità delle pietre, la condizione generale del settore e la sua posizione all’interno del percorso. Quest’anno saranno 55 i chilometri di pavé da affrontare su un totale di 257 chilometri di gara.

Da quest’anno oltre alle stelle ci sarà anche un colore a distinguere i settori in base alla loro difficoltà: nero per i cinque stelle, rosso per i 4 stelle, arancione per i tre setlle, blu per i due stelle e giallo per i settori con una sola stella. Saranno colorati gli archi che indicano l’ingresso in ogni settore.

L’organizzazione ha deciso anche di collocare transenne lungo il penultimo settore, quello di Hem: i corridori saranno obbligati ad affrontare il pavé e non potranno pedalare sulla banchina più transitabile.

mappa-roubaix-2017

Ecco i 29 settori per un totale di 55 km di pavé:

1 Troisvilles to Inchy (2,2km) / Rating : ***
Thierry Gouvenou says: “Unlike the final cobblestone sector that can be sportingly anecdotal, the first sector lets the rider know if he has what it takes and can boost his confidence… or not”.
2 Viesly to Quiévy (1,8) / Rating :***
Thierry Gouvenou says: “It is the second zone of a string of closely situated cobblestone sectors”.
3 Quiévy to Saint Python (3,7km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “It is one of the longest sectors along with Hornaing. It is the first opportunity of the day to really test one’s form”.

4 Viesly to Biastre (3km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This new sector concludes on a downhill portion. It hasn’t been used since 1989. Its reintroduction is the result of the hard work put in by the students at the Raismes Horticultural High School and of the municipality”.

5 Biastre to Solesmes (0,8km) / Rating : **

Thierry Gouvenou says: “Although it is short, this uphill sector will deal a blunt blow to the peloton”.

6 Vertain to Saint-Martin-sur-Ecaillon (2,3km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This section continues the theme of sapping energy that began on the preceding sectors”.

7 Verchain-Maugré to Quérénaing (1,6km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is the first sector of a string of sectors that will be strategic before the Trouée d’Arenberg”.

8 Quérénaing to Maing (2,5km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “A very long but rolling sector”.

9 Maing to Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (1,6km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This could be a key sector in the race. In 2016, it was here that a first selection was made spurred on by Tom Boonen”.

10 Haveluy to Wallers (2,5km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is a decisive sector before entering the Trouéed’Arenberg. The cobblestones are irregular. It is a determining moment in the race”.

11 Trouée d’Arenberg (2,4km) / Rating : *****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is one of the legends of Paris-Roubaix. You can’t win the Hell of the North in the ‘Trouée’, but you can certainly lose it”.

12 Wallers to Hélesmes (1,6km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “Better known as ‘Pont Gibus’. Generally, it is here where we see who the contenders for the win are”.

13 Hornaing to Wandignies (3,7km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “A very long sector but generally quite rolling. This portion begins the final selection”.

14 Warlaing to Brillion (2,4km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “No particular difficulty. Generally, it is here where the peloton drops the most riders”.

15 Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières (2,4km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This sector forms some nice zigzags crossing the fields. Unfortunately, the riders will not have time to enjoy the scenery.”

16 Beuvry-la-Forêt to Orchies (1,4km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says:  “The cobblestones are very irregular in this sector. A very delicate passage where riders will have to pay very close attention”.

17 Orchies (1,7km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is the moment to pray one last time”.

18 Auchy-lez-Orchies to Bersée (2,7km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is where the favourites begin to come to the forefront and try to escape from the peloton”.

19 Mons-en-Pévèle (3km) / Rating : *****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is one of the key sectors of Paris-Roubaix. The uphill portion in the second half will oblige the strong riders to show themselves. The race order at the exit of this sector often reflects that of the arrival”.

20 Mérignies to Avelin (0,7km) / Rating : **

Thierry Gouvenou says:  “A short sector and a transition between two paved portions”.

21 Pont-Thibault to Ennevelin (1,4km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “A short and rolling sector”.

22 Templeuve (0,5km) / Rating : **

Thierry Gouvenou says: “The perfect time for a team to make the most of their numerical superiority”.

23 Cysoing to Bourghelles (1,3km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is where the final outcome begins”.

24 Bourghelles to Wannehain (1,1km) / Rating : ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “A slight uphill sector that takes a toll on the riders”.

25 Camphin-en-Pévèle (1,8km) / Rating : ****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is THE decisive sector of  Paris-Roubaix. The favourites will have to give it everything they’ve got left”.

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Carrefour de l’Arbre (2,1km) / Rating : *****

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is the moment of truth”.

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Gruson (1,1km) / Rating : **

Thierry Gouvenou says: “This is the opportunity to increase the time gaps”.

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Willems to Hem (1,4km) / Rating: ***

Thierry Gouvenou says: “In 2017, the riders are obliged to ride on the cobblestones. This could be the final pitfall of the day”.

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Roubaix (0,3km) / Rating : *

Thierry Gouvenou says: “The tribute to the only Roubaix winner of Paris-Roubaix, Charles Crupelandt”.