In the middle of the biggest week in the cycling calendar, Seamus Allardice and Oliver Munnik sat down to discuss the 2019 Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix for the Diverge Podcast. The pair spoke about what it’s like to ride in the cycling crazy Flanders region of Belgium. Reviewed the 2019 Ronde van Vlaanderen and previewed the Hell of the North.

Tune In

Flanders in Photos

The twisty turny Tour of Flanders route which doubles back on itself repeatedly.

Alberto Bettiol, of EF Education First, won the 2019 race by attacking on the Oude Kwaremont.

Alberto Bettiol crossing the line in Oudenaarde as Ronde van Vlaanderen champion.

Roubaix Form Check

Can Peter Sagan repeat his 2018 heroics?

Teams & Their Favourits

Team Leader(s) Team Leader(s)
Arkea – Samsic André Greipel Jumbo – Visma Wout Van Aert
AG2R La Mondiale Oliver Naesen Katusha Alpecin Nils Politt
Astana Pro Team Magnus Cort Nielsen Lotto Soudal Jens Keukeleire & Tiesj Benoot
Bahrain – Merida Matej Mohoric Movistar Jurgen Roelandts
Bora-Hansgrohe Peter Sagan Mitchelton – Scott Matteo Trentin
CCC Greg Van Avermaet Team Sky Luke Rowe & Gianni Moscon
Cofidis Christophe Laporte Team Sunweb Nikias Arndt
Deceuninck QuickStep Zdeněk Štybar, Yves Lampaert, Philippe Gilbert & Kasper Asgreen Trek – Segafredo Jasper Stuyven, John Degenkolb & Mads Pedersen
Delko Marseille Provence Evaldas Siskevicius Roompot – Charles Lars Boom
Dimension Data Edvald Boasson Hagen UAE Team Emirates Alexander Kristoff
EF Education First Sep Vanmarcke Vital Concept – B&B Hotels Bert De Backer
Groupama-FDJ Arnaud Demare Wanty – Gobert Frederik Backaert

How to Watch Roubaix in SA

Essential Info: Sunday, 14 April, from 10:55 to 17:45 on SuperSport 5.
Tuning in Late: If you have to tune in late, tune in from 14:50 before the race reaches the Arenberg trench.
Weather: 8° with no rain predicted and just a gentle breeze, blowing at 4 metres per second from east-north east (gentle head wind).

Expect a dry and dusty Roubaix in 2019.

The Paris Roubaix Route

Distance: 257km from Compiègne (85km from Paris) to Roubaix

Most notable of the 29 cobble sectors:

  1. Quiévy: Rating 5 | 3.7km long | 144.5km from the finish
  2. Haveluy: Rating: 4 | 2.5km long | 103km from the finish
  3. Trouée d’Arenberg: Rating: 5 | 2.4km long | 94.5km from the finish
  4. Wandignies: Rating: 4 | 3.7km long | 82km from the finish
  5. Sars-et-Rosières: Rating 4 | 2.4km long | 71km from the finish
  6. Bersée: Rating: 4 | 2.7km long | 53.5km from the finish
  7. Mons-en-Pévèle Rating: 5 | 3km long | 48km from the finish
  8. Camphin-En-Pévèle: Rating: 4 | 1.8km long | 19km from the finish
  9. Carrefour De L’arbre (Rating: 5 | 2.1km long | 16.5km from the finish

Trouée d’Arenberg or the Arenberg Trench is where the race usually hots up.

The 2019 Paris Roubaix route.