Twelve months ago, controversy surrounded the lead-in to
Paris–Roubaix. The focus was on the infamous Trouée d’Arenberg, one of the
race’s most dangerous and iconic cobbled sectors. To reduce rider speed
entering the strip, organisers introduced a chicane, a move that drew criticism
from the peloton, especially Mathieu van der Poel.
At the time, the reigning World Champion didn’t hold back.
He labelled the chicane “a joke” and questioned its effectiveness. That said,
it didn’t stop him from detonating a brutal attack through Arenberg, on route
to his second straight Paris–Roubaix title.
This year, Van der Poel returns aiming for a rare third
consecutive victory, but the controversial chicane will be absent.
Instead, the approach to the Arenberg trench has been
altered once again. Riders will no longer blast directly onto the cobbles.
Instead, the course now features a short diversion, where riders approach from
the left and hit the sector at an angle via a sharp hook bend. In the final 200
metres before Arenberg, both the men’s and women’s pelotons will have to
navigate two right-angle turns, significantly reducing the entry speed.
The absence of a straight, high-speed run-in could make for
a safer, but still unpredictable, race through the forest.
But in truth, there’s nothing safe at the race they call
Hell.
Van der Poel will line up with history on the line, aiming
for three in a row, but he’ll also have to contend with debutant Tadej Pogacar,
who arrives off the back of a Tour of Flanders masterclass.
The fact that the Slovenian is even in attendance has raised
eyebrows. The chaotic nature of the race, has the potential to ruin his
ambitions at the Tour de France this summer, if he attacks the cobbles and
comes off second best.
Van der Poel has mastered Roubaix twice before, but it took
him several attempts to do so. Pogacar, is hoping to defy the odds once again
and win on debut.
It’s 1-1 between the duo this spring, but will either of the
king’s of cycling be victorious this weekend?
Take a look at the new approach to the Trouée d’Arenberg 👀
— Paris-Roubaix (@parisroubaix) April 8, 2025
Découvrez la nouvelle approche de la Trouée d'Arenberg 🔍#ParisRoubaix pic.twitter.com/dza8anM4te
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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