PARIS-ROUBAIX FEMMES

A WOMEN'S PARIS Roubaix had been long sought after, such is the unique characteristics of the race. A men's race has been held since 1896, predating the Tour de France by a full seven years and, aside from the vastly superior bike technology used by riders of today, little has changed.

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The cobblestones are still bone rattling, the mud and dust still clogs up the lungs and grits the eyes. The route remains an anachronism in a world on fast forward and is still one of the toughest on the whole calendar.