I’m back at my desk after covering my third Paris-Roubaix, already a second coffee into my morning and somewhat feeling like I’ve come back from a festival rather than a bike race.
There was some incredible tech on show at both the men’s and women’s races, and as always, both delivered sensational racing. However, standing in the velodrome after the men’s field had finished and dissipated, waiting for the women to arrive I couldn’t help notice a distinct vibe shift that was definitely a consequence of the race moving to the same day as the men; a decision that has been contentious to say the least, compounded by the fact the women’s TV coverage was then curtailed to ‘only whatever was left after the men had finished’.
I loved covering Paris-Roubaix Femmes the previous two years, and like many of my colleagues, was dismayed by the news of the change in format. My personal view is that it’s doing the women’s race and fans a disservice, but is that view mirrored in the peloton? I quizzed some of the riders as they crossed the line to see what the vibe was like in the race and at the roadside.
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Yes, I’m sure they were as frustrated to be asked about the men’s race in any capacity as I was at having to ask it, but when we were only served 50km or so of TV coverage it was hard to ask Rosa Klöser about her breakaway escapades, for example when, as she quite rightly pointed out to me, we wouldn’t know she was in the break if I hadn’t asked how her race went at the finish.
Why change the day?
It’s worth briefly recapping the various reasons behind the shift. Organisers will say it gets more eyeballs on the race (more on that shortly), and brings the race in line with the Tour of Flanders held seven days previously in the race calendar, which, it must be said, hasn’t received the same criticism.
The main reason, as is often the case, is likely money. Running a bike race as long and as high profile as Paris-Roubaix costs an enormous amount to put on. Police outriders, rolling road closures, private security at the start and finish, PA systems, stages, a great number of portaloos, helicopters, medical support, and keeping a press room open in the Roubaix velodrome.
Many of these need to be paid twice anyway, with the start of each race occurring in different places, but condensing the format into a single day of racing will drastically reduce the cost of…
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