For this new edition, there will be around 700 participants getting on their bikes for this demanding ride. It has 36 paved sectors (i.e. 57.7 km) for the longest distance (210 km) starting from Bohain-en-Vermandois (which will bring together around 40% of participants). Three other distances are offered, namely: starting from Wallers the 170km with 45km of cobblestones, as well as the 115km with its 35km of cobblestones and the 70km with 10km of cobblestones departing from Roubaix for a quarter of the participants.
As Eric Mizzi of the organizing association confides: “ It is not a competition ; there is no ranking or timing and each participant (from 13 to 81 years old) goes at their own pace. They will also have the pleasure of meeting up for a lap on the legendary Roubaix velodrome, after having crossed the paved sectors like the pros.. » Reception, markings, routes, security (the roads are not blocked to traffic) refueling… nothing would be possible without the participation of the hundred or so volunteers mobilized for the occasion.
Among the participants, we will note the presence of ten different nationalities. This year Alberto, an Italian cyclist, will cover the 210km on a 1920 bicycle. Jean-Marc, after overcoming numerous heart problems, returns forty-four years after his first participation at the age of 14. The La Pédale Lecchese club from Milan will be represented with nine participants and the “Brixton Cycles” club sent eight of its members.
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