Roubaix Organisers Busy Weeding As Grass Grows On Rolling Cobblestones
Sumaira FH Published September 28, 2021 | 10:40 PM
Templeuve, France, Sept 28 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2021 ) :The organisers of Paris-Roubaix, which returns on Sunday, have been battling grass that has sprouted along some of its famed cobbled sectors during the two-and-a-half year coronavirus hiatus.
The "queen of the classics" was postponed and then cancelled last year and postponed again last spring.
It was last run in April 2019, when the Belgian Philippe Gilbert won.
In the meantime the "Hell of the North" has grassed over.
The Arenberg trench, one of the three most difficult sectors, had to be thoroughly cleaned last week, to get rid of the grass that covered the cobblestones.
"It seems to me to be correct, there are no rutting problems," said race director Thierry Gouvenou in Templeuve during the traditional course reconnaissance on Tuesday, before checking the condition of the last sectors, notably the Arbre crossroads.
"The Arenberg gap needed a big cleanup," said Gouvenou, adding that some spots still require more weeding before the weekend and stressed that, after several dry years, rain forecast for later this week could result in the first muddy race since the early 2000s.
The 118th edition on Sunday, starts, as it has since 1977, from Compiegne at 0900 GMT and runs 259 kilometres to the Roubaix velodrome and this year features 55 kilometres of cobblestones, in 30 sectors.
On Saturday, Paris-Roubaix will stage for the first time a women's race along a 116.4 kilometre course (29km of it cobblestones) starting in Denain.
jm/pb/lp
Recent Stories
IHC adjourns PTI founder, Qureshi's appeal till Thursday
CDWP recommends 3 projects to ECNEC for approval
Tarar assures APNS to resolve issues of newspaper industry
Pakistan urged to capitalize on economic stability, for Tobacco Tax Reforms
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
Croatia's ruling party reaches coalition deal with right wing
Bayern coach Tuchel makes three changes for Madrid showdown
Olympic flame arrives on French soil for Paris Games
Punjab Finance Minister announces expansion of Social Protection Authority's man ..
Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike
Brazil flooding death toll reaches 100
Lebanon security source says five killed in Israeli strikes on south
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
4 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
4 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
4 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
5 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
6 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
8 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
8 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
10 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
11 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
11 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
12 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
13 days ago