The atmosphere on the start line of Paris-Roubaix in Compiegne was subdued but with an air of underlying tension on Sunday morning as riders gradually sensed the importance and significance of the day.
The training, recon rides, bike tech decisions and debates about chicanes and cobbles have all been done. The only thing left to do was race hard for 259.7 kilometres in what is surely the most dramatic race of the men’s season.
