I Conquered the Hell of the North: My First Paris-Roubaix Challenge

There are races you simply mark on the calendar, and others you dream of experiencing at least once. The Paris-Roubaix Challenge clearly belongs to the latter. A legendary monument of the spring cycling season, it is an event unlike any other in the history of the sport—one that fascinates just as much as it intimidates.

This year, I had the chance to line up for the 145 km distance, with 19 cobbled sectors on the menu, including some of the most famous ones: the Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre.

My goal was simple: finish this iconic event, fully enjoy the experience... and above all avoid any mechanical issues. Because even with good fitness and a solid winter of training, Paris-Roubaix remains a world of its own. In my case, it was even more special: I had never ridden on cobbles before.

The GPS Route

The 19 Cobbled Sectors

Getting into the Roubaix Atmosphere

In the days leading up to the race, I was both excited and a little nervous. The unknown was part of the challenge. The day before the event, I had the chance to visit Van Rysel, a new brand we now carry. Being in the North also gave me the opportunity to preview a few cobbled sectors with their team, and even test a few new products that will be arriving soon. It only took a few kilometers to understand one thing: cobbles shake you up. A lot.

As for the weather, we got very lucky. In April, in Northern France, you can expect just about anything. In the end, not a single drop of rain, mild temperatures by late morning, and nearly ideal conditions to enjoy the day in the best possible way.

The atmosphere, meanwhile, was already exceptional before the start. People everywhere, a unique energy, cyclists from all over the world, and wave starts organized between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. We rolled out at 8:00 a.m., right in the middle of that electric buzz that instantly reminds you that here, Paris-Roubaix is not just a race: it is a popular celebration, almost a religion.

A Deliberate Choice: Starting on Gravel

Since I didn’t yet know what riding on the cobbles would feel like—and I have to admit, it intimidated me a little—I chose to start on my gravel bike rather than my road bike. The idea was simple: gain comfort, control, and reduce the risk of mechanical issues on the roughest sectors.

I was running 40 mm tubeless tires, with a deliberately lower pressure—28 psi—than I would normally use. At Paris-Roubaix, tire pressure becomes almost a strategic topic: too much pressure and you take a bigger beating on the cobbles; too little and you expose yourself to pinch flats and other problems. That balance allowed me to keep grip, comfort, and above all, confidence throughout the day.

A Fast Start, Despite the Wind

At the start, I was focused but calm. I knew my winter training was there—thanks, Zwift—and more than anything, I was excited to be there. Excited to experience this race from the inside. Excited to finally ride those cobbles I had seen so many times on TV.

The first sensations on the bike were excellent. The pace was high right from the start, despite a strong headwind. Riding in the bunch, we still managed to hold a solid speed for the first hour and a half. The kind of start that gets you into rhythm while the excitement keeps building as you get closer to the first sectors.

And then, at kilometer 50.7, things got serious.

Arenberg: The Shock

The Trouée d’Arenberg, rated 5 stars, was the first major shock of the day. The sectors are ranked from 1 to 5 stars depending on their difficulty, length, and the condition of the cobbles, and here, you go straight into the deep end: 2.3 km of pure chaos.

At times, you almost wonder whether the cobbles were simply thrown onto the ground at random. It is brutal, violent, bone-rattling... but incredibly exhilarating. When I reached the end, I thought to myself: this is it, I’m really here. I had imagined that moment so many times that I almost needed to pinch myself to believe it. Then again, the jolts running through my whole body were there to remind me this was very real.

After Arenberg, the day took on a whole new dimension. The sectors came one after another, mixed with road sections, accelerations, dust, constant vibrations, and that need to stay sharp in order to hold the right line. Because on the cobbles, that is the whole challenge: keeping your speed without letting the terrain take over.

Mons-en-Pévèle: The Washing Machine

Then came Mons-en-Pévèle, another Paris-Roubaix monument, also rated 5 stars. Three kilometers of relentless cobbles, a true washing machine that tosses you around in every direction.

The first half comes with a tailwind, then a 90-degree turn changes everything: final kilometer, headwind, speed dropping sharply, legs starting to burn, and the cobbles never giving you a moment of relief. Going from 30 km/h to 15 km/h in a sector like that gives the effort a whole new dimension.

What surprised me the most on this race, beyond the brutality of the cobbles, was the atmosphere. You can feel that Paris-Roubaix means something deeply rooted in Northern France. There are people everywhere, cheering on every sector, and an incredible sense of passion. At times, it almost feels like you are right in the heart of the professional race.

Carrefour de l’Arbre: The Final Great Battle

The last 5-star sector of the day—and not the least of them—was Carrefour de l’Arbre. After more than 130 kilometers in the legs, its 2.1 km of broken cobbles take on an even wilder dimension.

It is the kind of stretch that makes you discover pain in parts of your body you never knew could hurt: hands, fingers, joints... everything gets hammered. But there is also that unique atmosphere, that crowd pushing you on, those cheers echoing from both sides. At that point, only one thought takes over: once this sector is behind you, the finish is no longer far away.

And despite the fatigue, despite the jolts, despite the focus it takes to stay sharp all the way to the end, I felt good. No punctures, no mechanical issues, no real low point. The bike, the tires, the gloves, the hydration, the nutrition: everything worked exactly as it should. On an event like this, that alone feels like a victory.

Entering the Velodrome

And then, finally, came the entrance into the Roubaix velodrome. That is a moment I will remember for a long time.

My partner was waiting for me at the entrance, and I can tell you that is worth more than gold. In that instant, everything came together: the fatigue, the joy, the emotion, and above all, the dream becoming reality. There is that final lap, that place steeped in history, and that finish line crossed by so many great names in cycling. You enter with heavy legs, but a light heart.

One last sprint. Final meters. And immense pride.

A Race to Experience at Least Once

This Paris-Roubaix Challenge taught me a lot. How to manage my effort, of course, but also how to trust my preparation, my equipment, and my choices. Mentally, this adventure demanded composure and determination—perhaps even more during the months of preparation than on race day itself.

What makes this event so special is its unique mix of difficulty, prestige, atmosphere, and emotion. It is hard, yes. Brutal, at times. But it is also incredibly alive, intense, and unforgettable. A true cyclist’s adventure.

Would I do it again? Without hesitation. And as I crossed the line, one idea had already started to cross my mind: why not aim for the 170 km next year?

Deep down, only one thought ran through my mind: I had done it.