Trouée d'Arenberg

Coordinates: 50°23′56″N 3°24′45″E / 50.399°N 3.4125°E / 50.399; 3.4125

Location of the cobbled road (in red) in the Forest of Arenberg

The straight cobbled road in the Forest of Arenberg in 2008 Paris–Roubaix

The Trouée d'Arenberg or Tranchée de Wallers-Arenberg (English: Trench of Arenberg) is a 2.4 km long cobbled road in the municipality of Wallers in Northern France, in the Département Nord. The road's official name is La Drève des Boules d'Hérin ("Bullet Alley of Hérin") and crosses the Forêt de Raismes-Saint-Amand-Wallers, outside France better known as the Forest of Arenberg. It is best known from the annual cycling classic Paris–Roubaix held in April, where it is one of the most difficult passages of the race.

Characteristics

Officially, the 2,400 meters of cobbles were laid in the time of Napoleon I, in the late 18th century, crossing the large forest of Saint-Amand-Wallers, close to Wallers and just west of Valenciennes. The road is straight and narrow (3 m), dropping slightly when entering the forest from the village of Arenberg, then rising in the second half. The altitude is 25m at the start and 19m at the end. The cobbles are extremely difficult to ride because of their irregularity. Many fans have taken away cobbles as souvenirs, leading to a regular check-up of the road.^[1]

Paris–Roubaix

Surface of the Trouée

The Trench of Arenberg was first included in Paris–Roubaix in 1968 and has become an iconic location of the cobbled classic. It is one of three "five star" sections of pavé, together with the sections of Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l'Arbre which come later in the race.

The site was proposed for Paris–Roubaix by former professional cyclist Jean Stablinski, who had worked in the mine under the woods of Arenberg. The mine closed in 1990 and the cobbled passage is now classified. Although almost 100 km from Roubaix, the sector usually proves decisive and as Stablinski stated, "Paris–Roubaix is not won in Arenberg, but from there the group with the winners is selected". A memorial to Stablinski stands at one end of the road.^[2]

The abandonment of the mines caused sections of the road to subside. In 1998 Johan Museeuw, leading the World Cup, crashed heavily on the Trouée and broke his kneecap, nearly spelling the end of his career. In 2001 French rider Philippe Gaumont broke his femur after falling at the beginning of the Trouée when leading the peloton and never returned to racing at the highest level.^[3] Consequently, the Trouée d'Arenberg was left out in 2005, as conditions had deteriorated beyond safety limits. Regional and local councils spent €250,000 to restore the road and add 50 cm to its width. The section was included again in 2006.

Because of its difficulty, it is considered a crucial site of the race, although at 85 kilometers, it is relatively far from the finish in Roubaix. It is also the only site of the race where balustrades are placed, as the road is narrow and fans gather in large numbers to see the race.^[4]

Tour de France

The Trouée d'Arenberg was never included in the Tour de France, but two stages of the Tour have finished in the village of Arenberg, at the forest's entrance. In 2010 cobble specialist Thor Hushovd won the third stage with seven cobbled sectors.^[5] In 2014 Lars Boom won the fifth stage of the Tour near the entrance of the Trouée ahead of Jakob Fuglsang and Vincenzo Nibali. The stage saw defending champion Chris Froome crash out in a memorable day in inclement weather.^[6][7]

External links

• Cyclingnews: the sectors of Paris–Roubaix

References