Paris-Roubaix – Pushing materials and riders to the limit

Paris-Roubaix is called the “Queen of the Classics” for a reason. The 54.5 kilometres of rough cobble sections make it one of the most demanding race days of the year. It is one of the biggest challenges for riders, staff, and material and if all goes to plan – then legends are born.

It is the day of the year when innovations of all kinds are tested to the limit and every detail counts. Special handlebars, seat posts or the science behind finding the right tire pressure for the day are topics all teams are concerned with for the whole year in preparation for this special day. While the riders are pushing their materials and themselves to the limit, it is also a test for the vehicles around the race. The support cars need to follow the riders as closely as possible in case of mechanical or crash, on surfaces that are not comfortable for a standardized car to drive on at race speed.

It is not only the sports directors and mechanics that follow the race in our Volvo V60 Cross Country in convoy, but also the soigneurs who jump from point to point to supply the riders with extra bottles and spare wheels if needed. “Our Volvo cars are the perfect cars for the cobbled classics” explains Team DSM Warehouse Manager Yannick Runhart, “Since it is already a cross-country of the V60 model, it offers longer suspension travel and more ground clearance. So, we don’t have to worry about the bumpy roads in Belgium or northern France. We can also choose some extra off-road settings, to still have a safe and comfortable ride in the car for the people inside.”

The roads are not the only challenge for the cars; the equipment inside plays a big role, so sufficient space is needed to store everything we need during a potentially rainy and windy day in the classics. “The Volvo cars offer some extra space in the car which makes it a good working place for a long and demanding race like Paris-Roubaix”, says Team DSM Mechanic Maarten ter Heiden. “For the classics, we usually have a notebook for important race info, our tool box, a cool box with fresh drinks for the riders, rain bags with additional race clothing, and some extra plastic bags for wet clothing with us in the car” he adds.

To be prepared for any kind of puncture caused by the cobble roads, the Volvo is also loaded with seven spare wheels for the bike. Two sets are stored inside the car and are quick to grab for the mechanic, while three extra wheels have their spot on the big roof rack on top of the cars. Next to the two front and one rear wheel, eight bikes fit on the roof and are quickly available in case of a bike change. “At the classics, all riders usually ride the same wheels. That makes it a bit easier logistically because we don’t have to prepare two different sets of wheels for the important points,” Maarten ter Heiden explains.

In chaotic races like the classics, the cars of the coaches and race mechanics are not always able to be close by to the riders in case of a puncture. “When the race is split into groups and a rider has an issue, it’s not always possible for the race cars to reach them. In those moments it is good to have the sectors covered with soigneurs and additional members of staff who are equipped with spare wheels and tools for a quick wheel change after the cobble sections. Usually, we have six or seven sets of wheels with the crews jumping from point to point to cover the crucial parts,” Maarten explains the logistics of a race like Paris-Roubaix.

Speaking of a chaotic race, safety plays another crucial part. “Our Volvo V60 Cross Country is a very safe car. Volvo is a frontrunner when it comes to safety features and is constantly working on new innovations to protect the people inside, but also outside the car. This is extra important in the classics, with riders, team, and race cars everywhere, when the race kicks off,” Warehouse Manager Yannick adds.

Year after year, fans and teams look forward to the classic season with great anticipation. We are happy to have the perfect material in place for riders and race staff to take on the unique challenges of Paris-Roubaix.