Rain to chill peloton at 'Hell of the North'

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By Agence France Presse

Team CSC practices on the cobbles on Thursday.

Photo: Agence France Presse

Paris-Roubaix organisers might be feeling “reassured” after a favorable, midweek preview of the famed cobblestone sectors that will feature prominently on the race.

However weather predictions for Sunday could make the world famous one-day classic, known ominously as the ‘Hell of the North,’ an even less inviting affair for some.

The 2008 edition will be held over a total of 259.5 km, from Compiegne to the north of Paris to Roubaix just outside of Lille.

Credit Agricole practices Thursday on the Arenberg cobbles

Photo: AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Although the cobblestones are an annual feature, 100 meters have been added to the course thanks to teams of students who have helped in the “de-tarmacisation’ of the ‘Vertain’ sector, at 119.5km.

After spells of rain at the beginning of the week, race organizers Christian Prudhomme and Jean-Francois Pescheux said optimistically after their traditional preview of the 28 cobblestone sectors — the cause of numerous crashes, retirements and punctures – that all would be well for Sunday’s race.

“Apart from the end of the first sector (of cobblestones) at Troisvilles, which should be cleaned up ahead of Sunday, all of the cobblestones are raceable,” said Pescheux.

Stuart O’Grady is the reigning champion, however the CSC rider admitted after Sunday’s snow-hit Tour of Flanders that he is still only 85 percent fit.

As a result the Australian — whose season has been compromised by the long layoff caused by a career-threatening crash at the 2007 Tour de France — could dedicate his day of racing to getting team leader Fabian Cancellara, the 2006 winner, into a winning position.

A Saunier Duval rider practices on Thursday, accompanied by a friendly dog.

Photo: AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

CSC will be doubly keen to figure, after a Flanders debacle which saw them lose over half their team due to punctures and crashes.

However the Belgian Quick Step team of former Roubaix champion Tom Boonen and Flanders winner Stijn Devolder will be among the handful of contenders for victory in the Roubaix velodrome which hosts the finish line.

The latest weather reports from France meanwhile will likely dishearten anyone who rode Flanders in the wind, hail and snow on Sunday when only half the 200-strong peloton finished.

According to national forecasters at Meteo France Thursday, the forecast for this Sunday is “persistent rain and fresh temperatures,” beginning with six degrees celsius in the morning to reach a maximum of 12 in the afternoon.

As for the hundreds of beer-swilling fans expected to make the short trip from Flemish-speaking Belgium, they will not be buoyed by the news that local police are to multiply alcohol breath tests for drivers.

“We’ve tightened things up this year,” said Col. Stephane de Kerle, whose section will be boosted by officers from the Netherlands and Belgium.

“The idea is to promote prevention not repression.”

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