After a final recce of the Paris-Roubaix course today, Christian Prudhomme, Jean-François Pescheux and Thierry Gouvenou have assigned a difficulty rating to all of the 27 sectors of cobbles or “pavés”, taking into account their length, unevenness, general condition and location on the route.
 
Indomitable and unpredictable, the race known as the “Hell of the North” regularly makes a mockery of fans’ predictions and team tactics. A close look at the route nonetheless gives clear pointers as to where the favourites will be made to show their hand. Media who observed the final course inspection on April 7 will have gained even greater insight.

The tone is set nearTroisvilles and the 100-kilometre mark, when the peloton clatters over the first pavés of the day, and knots will start to form in stomachs and muscles. The Quiévy, Saint-Python and Verchain-Maugré sectors (numbered 25, 24 and 22) follow shortly afterwards - and will also feature on stage four of this year’s Tour de France on July 7.

The first true picture then emerges at kilometre158, as the riders exit maybe the race’s most infamous stretch of pavé and the first five-star sector - the Trouée d’Arenberg or Arenberg Forest. From this point, contenders could fall by the wayside at any moment, including on the tarmac. But those watching from their armchairs will be counting down the kilometres until the Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre, both five-star sectors.

Adding to the intrigue, no two seasons are the same on any given cobblestone mosaic; Thierry Govenou has indeed noted that the Carrefour de l’Arbre, the last obstacle before the Roubaix velodrome, presents an even more rugged challenge in 2015 than twelve months ago.

“With time, the Carrefour de l’Arbre has got harder and harder. In terms of difficulty, it’ll be right up there with the Arenberg Forest this year. Over the whole sector, I don’t think there’s a single level cobblestone.”

Just in case the cobblestone maestros had forgotten that it’s all up for grabs until that white line on the Roubaix track….

 
The 27 cobbled sectors of Paris–Roubaix
27. Troisvilles (km 98,5 - 2200 m) +++
 
26. Viesly (km 105 - 1800 m) +++
 
25. Quievy (km 108 - 3700 m) ++++
 
24. Saint-Python (km 112,5 - 1500 m) ++
 
23. Vertain (km 120,5 - 2300 m) +++
 
22. Verchain-Maugré (km 130 - 1600 m) +++
 
21. Quérénaing - Maing (km 133,5 - 2500 m) +++
 
20. Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 136,5 - 1600 m) +++
 
19. Haveluy (km 149,5 - 2500 m) ++++
 
18. Trouée d’Arenberg (km 158 - 2400 m) +++++
 
17. Wallers - Hélesmes, dit « Pont Gibus » (km 164 - 1600 m) +++
 
16. Hornaing (km 170,5 - 3700 m) ++++
 
15. Warlaing - Brillon (km 178 - 2400 m) +++
 
14. Tilloy - Sars-et-Rosières (km 181,5 - 2400 m) ++++
 
13. Beuvry-la-Forêt - Orchies (km 188 - 1400m) +++
 
12. Orchies (km 193 - 1700 m) +++
 
11. Auchy-lez-Orchies - Bersée (km 199 - 2700 m) ++++
 
10. Mons-en-Pévèle (km 204,5 - 3000 m) +++++
 
9. Mérignies - Avelin (km 210,5 - 700 m) ++
 
8. Pont-Thibaut (km 214 - 1400 m) +++
 
7. Templeuve - Moulin de Vertain (km 220 - 500 m) ++
 
6. Cysoing - Bourghelles (km 226,5 - 1300 m) +++
Bourghelles - Wannehain (km 229 - 1100 m) +++
 
5. Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 233,5 - 1800 m) ++++
 
4. Le Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 236,5 - 2100 m) +++++
 
3. Gruson (km 238,5 - 1100 m) ++
 
2. Hem (km 245,5 - 1400 m) ++
 
1. Roubaix (km 252 - 300 m) +