Paris-Roubaix is one of the most grueling and challenging cycling races in the world. This race, also known as the ‘Hell of the North’, covers a distance of 257 kilometers (160 miles) with 29 cobbled sectors that make it a rough ride for even the most seasoned cyclists. The race starts from Compiegne, a small town north of Paris and ends in Roubaix, near the Belgian border.
The question that often arises is what was the average speed of Paris-Roubaix? Well, to answer that question let’s take a look at some statistics from past races.
In 2019, Philippe Gilbert won Paris-Roubaix with an average speed of 44.2 km/h (27.5 mph). It took him 5 hours and 58 minutes to complete the race. In comparison, back in 1896 when the first Paris-Roubaix race was held, the winner Josef Fischer had an average speed of just over 30 km/h (18.6 mph).
Over time, as technology advanced and cyclists became more skilled and trained better for this race, we have seen an increase in average speeds. However, it’s important to note that even though cyclists are faster now than they were back in 1896, Paris-Roubaix remains one of the toughest races due to its unique terrain.
Let’s take a look at some other notable years in terms of average speed:
– In 2018 Peter Sagan won with an average speed of 45.8 km/h (28.4 mph).
– In 2017 Greg Van Avermaet won with an average speed of 45.2 km/h (28.1 mph).
– In 2016 Mathew Hayman won with an average speed of 42 km/h (26 mph).
As we can see from these statistics, there is a significant difference in average speeds from year to year. Factors such as weather conditions, injuries, and the difficulty of the cobbled sectors can all influence the average speed of the race.
In conclusion, the average speed of Paris-Roubaix varies from year to year and depends on several factors. However, one thing is for certain – this is one of the most challenging races in the world and requires immense skill, strength, and endurance from all those who participate.