The brutal poetry of the cobbles

For many, they are just roads; for us, the stage of our greatest passion. A joy made of stone and mud that evokes respect, awe, and excitement.

What captivates our gaze is the riders' struggle against the obstacles, the suffering etched on their faces, the cobbles, the mud, the dust.

And then fate, unpredictable, where the Gods of the North seem to enjoy playing with the riders' destiny, using the cobbles as a medium. Our emotional reaction to the Northern Classics like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix is a complex and ever-changing mosaic.

In front of the television, or "a bordo strada", we feel a sincere empathy for the riders, yet at the same time, we desire to see them face hell.

To triumph, or simply to survive, riders must dare, push beyond their limits, and defy the judgment of those who don't understand. It's not just a test of endurance, but a true proving ground. Those who can tame the cobbles forge invaluable resilience. In what other context is an athlete's tenacity tested with such intensity as in Paris-Roubaix?

Stefan Küng spoke about this to Rouleur, in a special podcast recorded with Wilier at Velofollies.

"There are the best specialists in the world in these races. They are riders of a very high level. Every now and then, however, a window of opportunity opens, and that's the moment when I have to be ready."

The cobbles: a raw, visceral ordeal. May the riders find strength amidst their brutal beauty. 

Saturday, March 1st, everyone eyes glued to the screen or cheering a bordo strada for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Allez, Allez, Allez, Groupama FDJ - Cycling Team!