Paris-Roubaix 2022: The Route

Since 2019, the Paris-Roubaix route - the hell of the north - has largely been the same. The course is 257.2 kilometers long, of which 54.8 over cobblestones. Although the percentage over cobblestones is almost 20%, this is not where this iconic course owes its name. Since the First World War, Paris-Roubaix has been called the Hell of the North. Curious why? Read more below.

Why the name Hell of the North?

Although many people think that Paris-Roubaix owes its nickname to the many cobblestones - which can of course also be described as hell - this classic owes its name to the First World War. The Paris-Roubaix cycling race was first held in 1896 and immediately became a great success. From the first moment the race was organized annually. However, the First World War changed this. The course was in a part of France where there was very heavy fighting. Many villages had been shot to pieces and were completely in ruins. When organizers were exploring the trail in 1919, they described the area as hell. Due to the accumulation of collapsed buildings and ruins. However, the race management thought that the cobblestones and roads had held up well during the war. So they decided that the race could just start!

The track of the hell of the North

The hell of the North opens with almost 100 kilometers on flat and smooth asphalt. The riders take roughly two hours to do this, just enough to warm up for the real thing.

The hardships begin near Troisvilles on a three-star strip of cobblestones stretching 2,200 meters. After this point, cobblestone sections are scattered all over the course. This is also the moment when the tension starts to increase. Here we expect that the first groups will be formed and that some riders will try to create a gap.

The tension will increase further as you approach the Arenberg Forest in the middle of the race. The so-called Trouée d'Arenberg is 2,284 meters long and is often dark because of the old trees on both sides. The road continues straight through the forest and because it descends slightly in the first half, the speed is high. Aspiring winners must be in the front or you risk falling behind or getting involved in a crash.

The riders are really put to the test when they get on the road to Wandignies-Hamage. This is one of the most notorious cobbled sections of the course. With a length of almost 3000 meters and the poor condition of the cobblestones, this stretch ensures that the wheat is separated from the chaff.

With eleven sectors to go after the departure from Mons-en-Pévèle. In less than 30 kilometers, the riders will face a series of cobbled sections of Mérignies à Avelin (700 meters), Pont-Thibault à Ennevelin (1,400 meters), Templeuve - L'Epinette (200 meters), Templeuve-Moulin-de-Vertain (500 metres), Cysoing à Bourghelles (1,300 metres), Bourghelles à Wannehain (1,100 metres) and Camphin-en-Pévèle (1,800 metres).

In the last 16.5 kilometers the iconic Carrefour de l'Arbre appears. With an impressive height of 2,086 meters. Is this strip paved and are there fears for the oblique bends? After 1,200 meters a tricky left turn leads to a slight rise. Specialists who want to strike at their beloved pavé should do so at the Carrefour de l'Arbre, because this is their last chance. The last three sectors are too easy.

Gruson and Willems à Hem lead the way to the final cobblestone section, in Roubaix itself, which is just for show. The cobblestones are neatly organized to avoid major inconveniences. The riders continue to the old Velodrome, with one and a half laps to go.

After the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic, last year's race took place in October. It turned out to be a muddy affair with Sonny Colbrelli coming out victorious. The Italian outsmarted Florian Vermeersch and Mathieu van der Poel in a sprint-à-trois. The young Fleming was the last survivor of the leading group, while the other two had been active since the Arenbergbos.

Details Paris-Roubaix

The Paris-Roubaix match starts at 11am and is expected to finish around 5.20pm.

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Sectors Paris-Roubaix

#	Sector name	⭐️	Length	Still to be completed
30	Troisvilles-Inchy	3	2,200m	161.4km
29	Viesly - Quiévy	3	1,800m	154.9km
28	Quiévy - Saint-Python	4	3,700m	152.3km
27	Saint Python	2	1,500m	147.6km
26	Haussy - Saint-Martin-sur-Ecaillon	2	800m	141.1km
25	Saint-Martin-sur-Ecaillon - Vertain	3	2,300m	136.8km
24	Capelle-Ruesnes	3	1,700m	127.3km
23	Artres - Querenaing	2	1,300m	121.4km
22	Querenaing - Maing	3	2,500m	119.6km
21	Maing - Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon	3	1,600m	116.5km
20	Haveluy - Wallers	4	2,500m	103.5km
19	Trouee d'Arenberg	5	2,400m	95.3km
18	Wallers - Helesmes	3	1,600m	89.3km
17	Hornaing-Wandignies	4	3,700m	82.5km
16	Warlaing - Brillon	3	2,400m	75.0km
15	Tilloy - Sars-et-Rosieres	4	2,400m	71.5km
14	Beuvry-la-Forêt - Orchies	3	1,400m	65.2km
13	Orchids	3	1,700m	60.2km
12	Auchy - Bersee	4	2,700m	54.1km
11	Mons-en-Pévele	5	3,000m	48.6km
10	Merignies - Avelin	2	700m	42.6km
9	Pont-Thibaut - Ennevelin	3	1,400m	39.2km
8	Templeuve	2	700m	33.3km
7	Cysoing - Bourghelles	3	1,300m	26.9km
6	Bourghelles-Wannehain	3	1,100m	24.4km
5	Camphin-en-Pévele	4	1,800m	19.9km
4	Carrefour de l'Arbre	5	2,085km	17.2km
3	Gruson	2	1,100m	14.9km
2	Willems - Him	3	1,400m	8.2km
1	Roubaix	1	300	1.4km