An ode to the spring classic.
The
Paris-Roubaix
An ode to the spring classic.
The
Paris-Roubaix
Inspired by the film ‘A Sunday in hell’ Directed by Danish filmmaker, Jorgen Leth.
It’s one of the five monuments in the pro cycling scene and in my eye’s, the biggest one day world in the world. Just to be on the start line is a special feeling, so being in the action towards the end of the race, bouncing over those cobbles was a great feeling this season.
Luke Rowe Team Sky pro cycling.
L’enfir Du Nord The hell of the North, Queen of the classics, L’enfir du Nord, A Sunday in Hell. The ParisRoubaix, Closely regarded by many professionals and fans alike, as one of the most famous one day monuments on the calender. Starting just north of Paris the route twists it’s way towards the Belgian frontier. Famous for it’s infamously rough terrain and cobblestones, it has been branded ‘The hell of the North’. Some professional cyclists have been known to dismiss the race because of it’s difficulties, even though competing in this one day spring classic contributes points towards a riders overall UCI world ranking. For many riders, competing and even winning the Paris-Roubaix is considered a ‘right of passage’ milestone in their careers.
En forarsdag I helvede Sunday April 11, 1976, A Sunday in Hell. Jogen Leth, a Danish director and poet is, amongst other things, obsessed with bicycle racing as a ritual expression of human victory and defeat. It was this obsession that fuelled the creation of the film ‘A Sunday in Hell’. Armed with an army of photographers and cinematographer, he set out to capture the gruelling annual bike race in all it’s detail. The footage captured had been edited into a mythic and spectacular piece of documentary film that really carries a sense of pace. The following pages have been carefully considered and inspired by the work of Jorgen Leth, through the film ‘A Sunday in Hell’, by selecting each milestone from the race of Paris-Roubaix 1976.
It’s an historical race where you have to give your very best because every Km is important for the win. This isn’t a race for everyone though, the race is very particular and so hard!
Salvatore Puccio Team Sky pro cycling.
e h t g n i v i r r A . e r o f e b y da
Just to
make
Presen ce
your
felt.
You know people are talking about you
Your team, Your tactics, You’re here to set the score.
Preparation is paramount Not just mechanically, but Physically
Mentally.
The massage of the
muscles the whee
meticulous Composi
tion of on
of which
e’s exten
d
will acco
for little
In hell,
mpany
over six h
ours.
Plans help us achieve our goals.
els the
s.
ded body you
Tactics.
If one is simply going to make it to the Belgian frontier then having your wits about you is going to pay dividends with pounding PavÉ Pot holes.
Queen
of
the classics
One
of
the
Monuments.
What would propel any man in his right mind to expel himself to such torture.
a
v c
o
c
i
t
b
i
m
b
o
d
l e T
e
r r o
r
f
tearing thighs fingers legs liver arms and collarbone.
1976 April
11
S ’ IT
! Y A D E H T
across the square in Chantilly
It’s chilly.
An aerie silence exists, as many prepare to go to battle. Actors, players, soldiers of the game that is racing, war the battle ground lies ahead, The Hell of the North, Scarred with history between the cracks in the selectively thrown granite setts in the dirt beaten down.
No elegance exists here, A rare steak provides sustenance.
A perfect breakfast option
right before morning ride
marking out in the mind
the tactic, the plan
psychology, the
mental adjustment.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
The signing on ritual
a chance for the spectators to witness their idols,
in the ring,
ing eye
n. w o d p,
Gl
o s f battle r o t a i d a ,
each oth e r u
At most races, coffee is drunk, the shaking of hands, laughing.
Today, You’re not ready and you’re not scared, but quietly confident.
e p d a r y t e fr th
o m q u s a r e e h t
A Neutralised Cohort
Parade the streets of Chantilly towards the start line
START
They roll
They halt
A hold up, protest parisiene liberet Linotype workers hollering about redundancy. Automation. advancing they are allowed through single file finally they start. an hours lost.
A
few
furious
miles
Pass.
A breakaway trio forms and sustain substantial
Lead.
Though this isn’t enough to concern the peloton for now.
d e l n o i s s i m nce
a s s i a n n o c e r s n e t r e a M y b
l o r t n ke co
a t o t x k c r e M d . n n a o i t a u t i s e h t f o
t hr ou
The fie ld rid
e
The field r i des thr ou field rid gh es m o C
e i p . e gn
e n g e i p m o C h g
s e
e.
g e n i p e . m o C h g u o r h t
Saint - Quentin
The breakaway trio rack 5 minutes. they wont make it to Roubaix.
An obstacle in the middle of the day Liberet workers line the roads pavements, front gardens become the only option.
A steeple chase, chariots upon shoulder on. galloping on.
Lif
e
After some delay, they re-commence.
on po
tw ow
un
din
he
gt
he
mil
els
es
All rage sweeps up through your body, you know the hell is clawing at your heels ready to ruin your day.
But they gather speed nether the less
field speeds up. La Cateau I hear you say.
THE BEGINNING OF HELL.
Only a 2 mile stretch of collated cobble condensed under rubber and steel. They are alive beneath you you need skill, and you need luck. You need speed, you can reel in a few here, clear path is what you strive for. A move is made, De Vlaeminck and Plankaert catch the breakaway.
Sworn enemy close on rear, so close that all you here is
clanking on the chain stay.
The concentration to keep your wheel
your position
A
gap between the two leading groups will allow you to push on And make way for the later transition when the decisive sorting out process of the peloton commences
Still pounding. Mile by mile.
One at a time, each that passes,
a milestone
while the pack are hounding you for your position.
You pass the bar in Volonceyenne,
they all know they story that is unfolding,
Page
by
page, stroke, pedal pushing forward.
regrouping takes place behind the breakaway at this stage.
A Fall, F ast pa
ce pu s h i n g Punctures. Skipping wheels dancing upon your steed.
tn down c
nu es onti
The cou
All the while,
s co ncrete loop
rv ace ou
y All
ou
u c l u can if t u a think e b A about.
In reality, hours have past in this inhospitable hell.
Dust filled windblown face of a fighter determined Merckx attempts to break others with tremendous power.
Mecca St. Peters square
Roubaix
f o g gatheri n ople pe
all around close to the Belgian border better days peeling paint upon the banks
This famous concrete loop stands in history.
e l t t a B
il o B to
Brooklyn Brooklyn breakaways breakaways broken broken rhythm rhythm caught. caught.
MAeRTENS TAKES LEAD SNATCHED BACK
BY DE VLAEMINCK BREAKS FOR IT.
Maertens
givi ng all
to
e ov
ak e rt
pushing forward, falling, failing in his quest to Roubaix.
Godefroot leads four men breakaway battered boys battle once again. Godefroot concedes puncture his chances are over.
e v s i e s i v c o e g m D n i n n i g e B r
it u s
u p s
Me
kx c r
d a le
as h ay w a k st ea l i r wh nb a g e. n m i m n r co oint ou ge thin o f t y j ue, e nta is l h t va ck til ever fatig s , a d a e p ow is ng g th u kn orst arri elin ke. yo e w g, j r fe y pu Th mpin inge easil ju re f ld fib cou u yo
Demeyer, De Vlaemink doing all the work glued wheel to stroke pushing forward
Locam
motive
Pacemaking is tough, exhausting even, chain-ganging the final lead the amphitheatre awaits. Into to the final kilometre.
Merckx, the race is over for him, this would have been his fourth win. He is resigned to his fate.
1 and a half laps of the track
t h g i r a g n Swi
Demeye
er wins
The unlikely winner, a rise to fame.
Tremendous Triumph Trounces Field
As Mark Demeyer writes himself into history. An especially sweet victory over rival De Vlaeminck. Story of fluctuating fortunes fought finely in the fields of battle.
fts c e Th n of dri con pai day the e th oss r ac bicle flo cu wer de o sh h ri Eac lec f re
e n et cr fi sel him i nd r. oo l f day l i e r w th de o f n tio Disappointment or triumph They will think of the price they had to pay, to earn this
great right of passage, And complete the glorious
Paris-Roubaix.
With thanks,
Luke Rowe - Team Sky Pro cycling Salvatore Puccio - Team Sky Pro cycling Gabriel Rasch - Team Sky Pro cycling And finally, thank you to Ellie, who works for the media side of Team Sky. Without her, I would have never received the Pro rider insight into the Paris-Roubaix.
istd student assessment 2015 Tom Hobbs thomasrhobbs.co.uk
An ode to the spring classic.
The
Paris-Roubaix