“In Hell There Are No Rules”

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Sometimes rough, often slippery, but certainly life-threatening: the cobblestones at Paris-Roubaix. They give the cycling classic its nickname Hell of the North. Millions of fans will also be watching closely on Sunday as the cycling stars thunder over the 29 pavé routes (54.5 kilometers in total) in France.

What many do not know: for many drivers, the last few hundred meters before the respective cobblestone sections are almost even worse. “I’m actually relieved if I can get on the pavés well. Because what happens before that is blatant. Elbows are stretched, urged and cursed. Suddenly you have no friends outside the team,” says Stefan Küng. The 29-year-old finished third last year and is one of the favorites again this time.

It’s clear what’s behind the cycling anarchy: people often turn off a wide, mostly two-lane tarmac road onto a few meters wide bumpy track, which is otherwise used almost exclusively by tractors. Those who are not in the front positions are in for a nasty surprise. “The field is extremely elongated. Anyone who is far behind in the field and falls, has to stop due to an accident or has a defect, has already lost the race,” said Küng. That’s exactly why the people of Thurgau want to be careful of any cobblestone sections. “That is the condition to get back on the podium.”

Colombo: “There was war”

After eight participations in Paris-Roubaix, Küng has been washed with all waters. That wasn’t always the case. “When I first participated here in 2015, I immediately wanted to be at the front. I was almost born there. There was a mass sprint for each pavé sector. Full throttle, nobody braked. Now I know there are no rules in hell,” he says with a smile.

Filippo Colombo (25) from Ticino finds it less easy to deal with. He is riding the classic for the first time, but was already there last Sunday in the Tour of Flanders. “There too there was war on the most important points. It took a lot of mental energy.”

Fast praying in the forest of Arenberg

Küng knows exactly what Colombo is talking about. One of his intermediate goals is to survive the infamous Arenbergbos after 161 kilometers. “I will quickly send a prayer to heaven so that no one falls for me and I do not suffer want.”

Although there is still almost 100 kilometers to go before the Roubaix Velodrome, the hectic pace is easing as the wheat is separated from the chaff, says Küng. “Then hopefully the first pavé will fall from my heart.”

Source : Blick