There are 23 days until Paris-Roubaix and this is what some of the cobbled sectors look like
Volunteers work feverishly to prepare the cobbles for the Hell of the North

While the eyes of the cycling world turn to Italy and Milan-San Remo, work is still being feverishly carried out to prepare the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix for the denouement of the Classics season.
The race's 29 sectors of cobbles are maintained by Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix (The Friends of Paris-Roubaix), who carry out work on the pavé to ensure that it is in a good enough state to be raced on in April.
This week the volunteers have been working on the Pont-Thibaut to Ennevelin sector, the ninth from last in the race which the riders will cover with more than 215km in their legs.
From the looks of photos posted online by Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix, the works seem to be fairly extensive, with much of the sector being dug up and a new surface laid underneath, presumably in an attempt to improve drainage and reduce the chances of the sector becoming water-logged if the course is hit with heavy rain and the race run in wet conditions for the first time since 2002.
Since the snow melted a couple of weeks ago, the volunteers have also completed work on the sectors of Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières and Warlaing to Brillon, which will not only be used in Paris-Roubaix in April, but will also feature in a tricky stage nine of the Tour de France in July.
>>> Paris-Roubaix 2018 start list: Teams announced for Hell of the North
Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix has thousands of members around the world having been set up in the 1980s to maintain the character of Paris-Roubaix after many other races had moved from using cobbled roads to smoother tarmacked roads.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The association works with local authorities to maintain the cobbled sectors, which are often just used by agricultural vehicles travelling between fields for the rest of the year.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Could gravel learn a thing or two from MTB, when it comes to tyre choices?
Gravel riders are increasingly looking to mountain biking when it comes to tyre tech, grip, and real-world performance
By Neal Hunt Published
-
'You shouldn’t be riding 40mm tyres in a gravel race' — Dylan Johnson on tyre optimisation, wind tunnel testing and growing up as 'a weird kid who only cared about bikes’
Anne-Marije Rook geeks out with pro racer, cycling coach and YouTuber Dylan Johnson about the gravel racing tweaks that can make you faster
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'When he starts his Tour preparation, we’ll then see Jonas 2.0' - Jonas Vingegaard heads to Paris-Nice almost at full strength, coach says
Tim Heemskerk says the Danish star is not interested in outside noise as he attempts second stage race win of the year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
18-year-old Cat Ferguson set for Paris-Roubaix debut in first pro year
"I can't tell you how excited I am," said junior world champion as she revealed provisional 2025 programme
By Tom Davidson Published
-
I would love to see Tadej Pogačar ride Paris-Roubaix - even if it won’t be this season
The world champion teased everyone with a video of a training ride on the Arenberg Trench
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar teases Paris-Roubaix debut with Arenberg recon video
Could the world champion ride - and win - in 2025?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Paris-Roubaix Arenberg chicane replaced with 'small detour' for 2025
Race director says new four-turn measure will 'slow down the riders in a more fluid manner'
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I don’t think it would be a surprise to anyone' - Mathieu van der Poel on Tadej Pogačar winning Paris-Roubaix
Dutchman says current road world champion has already proven he has what it takes to thrive on the cobblestones of the Hell of the North
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jasper Philipsen: 'All eyes will be on us at the Classics but we will be ready'
Milan-San Remo winner says Alpecin-Decuninck will be prepared to have a target on their back next year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I was just on a mad one’ - Lewis Askey reflects back on the ride that helped him turn pro
British rider remembers his victory at Paris-Roubaix juniors
By Tom Thewlis Published