PARIS — The renowned cycling classic, Paris-Roubaix, often referred to as the “Hell of the North,” is set to introduce additional segments of cobblestones this year. Scheduled for April 12-13, the race organizers announced the inclusion of two new cobbled sections located on the route leading to the notorious Trouée d’Arenberg, a particularly challenging straight stretch known for its difficulty.

Race director Thierry Gouvenou emphasized that this change will result in a continuous stretch of five sectors devoid of any paved road, enhancing the intensity of the competition. The Paris-Roubaix has been a staple in the cycling community since its inception in 1896, renowned for its numerous punctures, crashes, and a wealth of unrelenting drama.

Nicknamed the “Enfer du Nord,” the race earned its formidable title in 1919 from a journalist who sought to depict the desolate landscapes left by World War I that the cyclists navigated. The winner of that year’s event, Henri Pelissier, took over 12 hours to finish, a time that seems dramatically extended in comparison to the last male victor, Mathieu van der Poel, who completed the race in significantly less time. This year, competitors will face a total of 30 cobbled segments within the 259.2-kilometer men’s race, which stretches from Compiègne to Roubaix.

In other updates, race organizers revealed an alternative solution to the contentious chicane introduced last year to slow down riders as they approached the treacherous Trouée d’Arenberg. This sharp U-turn had faced criticism from cyclists, including van der Poel. Gouvenou mentioned that the new layout will enable a smoother slowdown for participants through a minor detour beside the Arenberg mining site, incorporating four right-angle turns in the kilometer leading up to the Trouée d’Arenberg.

The women’s race, covering 148.5 kilometers, will observe its previous route without alterations. The female competitors will confront the final 17 cobbled segments that mirror those in the men’s race, accumulating a total of 29.2 kilometers on cobblestones.