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

6. Oggling the Next-Gen Equipment

For an event as punishing as Paris-Roubaix, riders, staff, and team equipment sponsors have long sought effective methods of softening the blow of the pavé: Wider, suppler handmade tubulars to dampen the ride and prevent pinch flats; skateboard deck tape to keep water bottles in place; and extra layers of handlebar tape to protect riders’ hands are some of the more popular contemporary modifications. Suspension forks, dual-suspension framesets, and cyclocross bikes have been used in the past.

This year we’ll see more controversial disc brake set-ups as well as various suspension arrangements which are employed to dampen the severity of the cobbles.

READ MORE ON: international Paris Roubaix report