Paris-Roubaix is a grueling one-day classic cycling race that has been held annually in northern France since 1896. It is considered one of the most prestigious races on the cycling calendar, and its notoriously difficult cobbled sections have earned it the nickname “The Hell of the North.”
Over the years, many riders from all over the world have competed in Paris-Roubaix, but how many non-Europeans have won this iconic race? Let’s take a closer look.
The History of Paris-Roubaix
Before we dive into the answer to our question, let’s first take a brief look at the history of Paris-Roubaix. The race was first held in 1896 and was designed to showcase the newly built cobbled roads in northern France. The race starts in Compiègne, just north of Paris and finishes some 250 kilometers later in Roubaix, near the Belgian border.
Paris-Roubaix quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest races on the calendar due to its cobbled sections, which are known for their rough surface and uneven terrain. These sections can cause riders to crash or suffer mechanical problems, making it a true test of both endurance and skill.
Non-European Winners
Now back to our original question – how many non-Europeans have won Paris-Roubaix? In total, there have been only three non-European riders who have won this prestigious race.
The first non-European rider to win Paris-Roubaix was Canadian-born Marc Madiot. He achieved this feat in 1985 while riding for French team Systeme U. Madiot went on to win Paris-Roubaix again in 1991.
In 2001, American rider Fred Guesdon became the second non-European winner of Paris-Roubaix. Guesdon, who was born in France but grew up in the United States, won the race while riding for French team La Française des Jeux.
The most recent non-European winner of Paris-Roubaix was Australian rider Mathew Hayman. He achieved this feat in 2016 while riding for Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE. Hayman’s victory was particularly impressive as he was considered an outsider and had never won a professional race before.
Conclusion
In conclusion, only three non-European riders have won Paris-Roubaix since its inception in 1896. These riders are Marc Madiot from Canada, Fred Guesdon from the United States/France, and Mathew Hayman from Australia. While the race has seen many great champions over the years, these three riders have earned their place in cycling history by conquering one of the toughest races on the calendar.