Tomorrow is the men’s Paris Roubaix with Les Femmes having riden today. Well done to Lotte Kopecky for some tactical riding in the last 20km to produce an excellent sprint in the velodrome. Did you notice she was wearing no gloves? The only reason I wear them is in case I go down and have some protection for my palms as I hit the deck. The one race where you think you would need them would be L’Enfer Du Nord… The women’s race is a great proof point of how women’s racing is super exciting and how tough they are. Who can forget Lizzy Deignan’s bloody hands from just gripping the bars during her win?

This race is justified in its name as the hell of the North. The pave elements bring a completely different aspect to a day race and it is truly brutal. Today looked reasonably dry and hence was a great deal safer but, despite being careful what I say here, no where near as exciting as a wet race. In a week where we have already seen to many riders say goodbye to their season due to crashes (Tour Du Basque) we don’t need to see anyone hurt. That said some of the bike handling skills we see on a wet Paris Roubaix truly are amazing and this is one race where you can definitely watch from start to end with your heart in your mouth. Credit goes the Les amis du Paris Roubaix for the work they do to maintain the pave sections. See more in the video below.

The chicane introduced for the Foret D’Arenberg is an interesting addition (joke per MVDP) but I guess an attempt to bring more safety. Let’s wait for a better more permanent solution.

I am not going to discuss my favourites to win tomorrow (because he won last year!) but I am looking forward to a truly exciting race. This is really the most exciting day race for me and right now it is looking like it could be wet…… Be safe everyone and Bon Courage.