Race Tech: Paris-Roubaix, April 13, 2008

The cobbles take their toll even before the racing starts

By James Huang in Compiègne, France

And you thought your local roads were rough?	Riders obviously have to be careful
The Liquigas team checks out the conditions.	Français des Jeux riders have experimented
Race favorite Nick Nuyens	The curved rear end
Agritubel and Saunier Duval-Scott riders	Agritubel rider Emilien-Benoit Berges
Box-section rims are the norm at Paris-Roubaix	Vittoria's 24mm-wide Pavé tubulars

As expected, teams and riders arrived days in advance of Sunday's Paris-Roubaix to reconnoiter the critical sections of the course for the last times. However, the test sessions also served as a last-minute shakedown of the team's bikes and equipment and not everything fared well.

Now in its 106th edition, there is little about the course and potential conditions that aren't well-known at this point but team sponsors continue to push the limits with their machines. Some bikes were little more than slightly beefed-up road machines while others were somewhat bizarre hybrids of road and 'cross. As a result, complete bike weights ranged from around 7.5kg (16.5lb) all the way up to 8.5kg (18.7lb).

As riders returned from scouting missions on Friday and Saturday, though, it was clear that not everything would make it through unscathed. Team pits were awash in the smell of tubular glue as punctured tires were replaced and mechanics were almost universally found adding extra layers of bar tape to help cushion the blows for the far more punishing demands of race day.

Some mechanics were also replacing frames, though, particularly for the larger or heavier riders among the peloton or teams that apparently opted for ultralight equipment for their scouting rides. Our quick scans already yielded no fewer than two broken bikes and Sunday's race pace (and possibly horrific weather conditions) will most certainly produce more.

Readers should also keep in mind that the heavily crowned cobblestone roads will not just be hard on the bikes and riders, but also on team vehicles. Stories about hopefully crippled vehicles are mostly based on truth and the aggressive pace of the race caravan must also be matched with driver skill.

How bad could it be, you wonder? As we chased riders around the parcours on Friday, we had to pay particularly close attention so as not to bottom out the undercarriage of Cyclingnews' own Peugeot 308 rental car. Someone else apparently wasn't so mindful, though, judging by the giant streak of fluid left down the center of the pavé courtesy of a pierced oil pan.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• Quick Step riders check out key sections of pavé before Sunday's Paris-Roubaix.
• Riders obviously have to be careful on the treacherous cobbled roads, but so do the team drivers.
• Spare bikes and parts will be a key element to the success of the winner come Sunday.
• Quick Step bikes were fitted with massive 27mm-wide tubulars said to be sourced from Challenge.
• The Liquigas team checks out the conditions.
• Liquigas star Filippo Pozzato is one rider that is certainly hoping conditions stay dry.
• Liquigas' Manuel Quinziato gets a last taste of what's to come.
• The heavily crowned cobbled roads leave little room underneath the car.
• Race favorite Nick Nuyens bundles up for his pre-ride on Saturday.
• Cofidis' Frank Hoj packs on the layers for the cold but still appears decidedly upbeat.
• Is that who we think it is? Yes, indeed, Laurent Fignon pays a visit to the Cofidis boys.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) raced Paris-Roubaix for the first time just four years ago but is a favorite to win if the conditions stay dry.
• Agritubel and Saunier Duval-Scott riders hit the cobbles to shake out the legs and equipment.
• Agritubel rider Emilien-Benoit Berges is one of the bigger riders on the team.
• An extra collar clamped directly to the post helps keep Berges' saddle from sliding down.
• Tied-and-soldered wheels grace the bike of Berges.
• Box-section rims are the norm at Paris-Roubaix and Ambrosio was one of the most prominent brands in use.
• Vittoria's 24mm-wide Pavé tubulars are a popular choice at Paris-Roubaix.
• Paris-Roubaix is a treacherous course even for pre-riding - Berges frame was damaged by a wayward rock, according to a team spokesperson
• Berges runs SRAM Rival cranks in lieu of the lighter Red model…
• …but it's only because his long legs needs 177.5mm-long crankarms.
• Agritubel's bikes are otherwise fitted with SRAM Red , which makes its official debut at Paris-Roubaix this year.
• The SRAM Red cassette is undeniably a star of the group. Some team riders have even chosen to fit one to their bike in spite of conflicting official sponsorship.
• Français des Jeux will use softer Lapierre S-Lite frames to ease the pain of the cobbles.
• The curved rear end supposedly acts as a bit of a leaf spring for a cushier ride.
• Français des Jeux riders have experimented with Hutchinson's Road Tubeless system through many of the spring classics…
• …but they won't be using them on Sunday , opting instead for traditional tubulars.
• Critical sections of the race are marked right on the top tubes.
• Paris-Roubaix opens its arms (and its jaws) to the riders on Sunday.
• And you thought your local roads were rough?
• Angry clouds loom on the horizon.
• The Paris-Roubaix cobbles already took its toll on the oil pan of a passing vehicle.

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