April 12, 2009 (France) – The famed Paris-Roubaix known as the Hell of the North is underway and celebrates its 107th edition this year. The one-day classic in northern France is one of the oldest races in pro road cycling and was run first in 1896. The 259km Queen of the Classics is the third of the sport’s five monuments, beginning in Compiègne and ending at the Roubaix velodrome. The favourite is defending champ Belgian Tom Boonen (Quickstep) and the lone Canadian on the start line is Michael Barry (Columbia-Highroad) – click here for the start list. Here are some training photos from Cor Vos, click here to read Barry’s diary on preparing for one of the toughest races in cycling, and below is a YouTube video from the 1985 race…

Paris Roubaix 1985 Finish on YouTube