Tour 2014 Route Rumours

[Netserk]

Doesn't really mather. There will be attacks there.

Not from anyone who matters.

 

[BigMac]

Not from anyone who matters.

Are you sure about that? I think there will.

 

[Netserk]

Are you sure about that? I think there will.

Yes I am sure about that. It would only ever have a chance of happening in the third week.

 

[BigMac]

Yes I am sure about that. It would only ever have a chance of happening in the third week.

Riders will prove you wrong my dear friend Netserk.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Tourmalet now by Jeremy Roy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvKg29cOSHE&feature=youtu.be

 

[Red Rick]

I'd never want to grow a family close to where you live.
Every time a route comes out an infanticide is in the cards

Such truth, much lol

 

[Netserk]

Investigating the cobbles

Sector 9 (Gruson au Carrefour de l'Arbre) 1100m **: This is the two star Gruson sector from P-R in reverse as can be seen by comparing the two maps. Roubaix, TdF.

Sector 8 (Ennevelin à Pont Thibaut) 1400m ***: As the sector before this is a sector from P-R in reverse. Roubaix map. TdF map.

Sector 7 (Mons-en-Pévèle) 1000m ***: This one is done in the same direction as in P-R, but only the (easiest) first third of it! The same part of the sector was done in P-R '03 ('97, '00 and '02 too) where it was ranked with three stars. Roubaix map. TdF map. <--to the left.

Sector 6 (Bersée) 1400m ***: This is the harder second half of the four star sector Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée done in reverse. In 2007 and 2008 this part of the section was in too poor condition to be a part of P-R. The three stars categorisation is an estimate based on the full 2700m section being four stars and the easy first half, which they won't ride, being two stars. Roubaix map. TdF map. <--to the right.

Sector 5 (Orchies à Beuvry-la-Forêt) 1400m ***: Reverse direction of P-R. 700m of old pave and 700m of new ('07). Roubaix map. TdF map.

Sector 4 (Sars-et-Rosières à Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes) 2400m ****: Long sector but in good condition and regularly maintained. As with most of the other sectors this too is in the reverse direction compared to P-R. Roubaix map. TdF map.

Sector 3 (Brillon à Warlaing) 1400m **: The full 2400m sector is three stars and with sunken sections in the part they avoid. Categorisation again an estimate, but given the rest (of the part they'll ride) is in good condition, I think it's a two star sector. As others done in reverse. Roubaix map. TdF map.

Sector 2 (Wandignies-Hamage à Hornaing) 3700m ****: Very long sector with cobbles in good conditions. Reverse direction as the others. Roubaix map. TdF map.

Sector 1 (Hélesmes à Wallers) 1600m ***: Final sector and close to the finish. It has been out of Roubaix for some years, but returned recently after it was restored. Medium difficulty and again in opposite direction. Roubaix map. TdF map.

Paris-Roubaix 2014 map.

Stage 5 details

They have avoided the most difficult cobbles, but with a total of 15.4km of cobbles, I'm sure it'll be absolute carnage.