Paris-Roubaix reveals important change before Arenberg forest

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?