Here are 10 reasons why the 257.5km spring Classic, Paris-Roubaix, is our favourite one-day race of the year. – By Whit Yost

2. The Final Laps in the Velodrome

Track cycling was one of the world’s most popular sports in the late-19th century, and most major cities in Europe (and many in the United States) had velodromes. Roubaix opened its first outdoor velodrome in 1895 and, according to cycling historian Peter Cossins, would host several stars over the coming years including African-American legend Marshall “Major” Taylor and Frenchman Maurice Garin, who later won the inaugural Tour de France.

In an attempt to generate some buzz about the new velodrome, in 1896 local officials decided to host a road race (still a relatively new kind of cycling event) that would start in Paris and finish in the velodrome. While the original velodrome is now gone, the tradition remains. A “newer” velodrome was built in the mid-20th century, and riders have been finishing Paris-Roubaix with 1.5 laps of its concrete track (with a few exceptions) since 1943. That means spectators get a great view of the action when it counts!

READ MORE ON: international Paris Roubaix report