'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The most difficult sectors of the cobbles come in the final part of the race. The sectors count down from 1 to 28, with the last symbolic 300m sector coming just a kilometre from the finish in the Roubaix velodrome.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The early sectors test the riders legs and shake out some of the weaker riders. The Forest of Arenberg (sector 18) traditionally marks the start of the real racing and opens the gates the Hell of the North.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 As the riders saw during their training rides on Thursday and Friday, the cobbles are dry and dusty with some sheltered sectors, like the Forest of Arenberg, surrounded by grass, which could raise the risk of crashes.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Back in the race, the break is just five kilometres from the first sector of pave.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Four teams have put riders at the front of the peloton to lead the chase: Omega Pharma Quick Step, Trek Factory, Belkin and Katusha.They are working for their big-name team leaders.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The break and the peloton made it over the first sector of pave without any major problems. Only 27 more sectors to go.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The riders have already covered 102km of the 257km race distance.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The break has covered pave sectors 27 and 26, their lead has fallen to 7:30.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 As the kilometres and sectors of pave countdown to the Forest of Arenberg, the tension in the race is starting to rise.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 142km remaining from 257kmThe eight attackers have a lead of 7:20 now.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The peloton has just completed sector 26 and riders grab bottles from their teams parked at the exit.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 The break is passing through the feed one in Solesmes and collecting their lunch.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 In the peloton Tom Boonen is at the back after dropping back to the OPQS team car.
'Dale Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Demare (FDJ.fr) also punctured, as did a Europcar rider, who swapped bikes with a teammate.
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