Inspired by the Queen of the Classics: ‘Paris-Roubaix’

Entries will open shortly for the 2017 edition of the Wilier “Liverpool Roubaix” cyclosportive, which will be held on Sunday 1 October 2017, starting and finishing at Knowsley Velodrome. The ride will head north and then east across the flat, Roubaix-like plains of Merseyside via a series of gravel and cobbled roads, before heading back to the velodrome past Knowsley Hall and Safari Park – the site of the time-trial stage of The Tour of Britain in 2013 and 2014 (see photos below). A well-stocked feed station, a broom wagon and medical support will be provided.

You can sign up using British Cycling’s online entry system by clicking on the red ‘ENTER’ button below. The event is promoted by Cycle Classics, who also organize the similarly-themed Tour of the Black Country, the Cheshire Cobbled Classic, which includes several steep cobbled climbs, including the infamous 45% Corkscrew, and the Strade-Bianche-themed White Roads Classic which features 9 white gravel/chalk sectors. Liverpool Roubaix is supported by British Cycling. Like our facebook page to view more photos and to receive the latest information and updates on the event.

Drone photo of the Main Lane cobbled sector taken during the 2015 edition of Liverpool Roubaix.

Riders on the new Knowsley Velodrome – the finish of the Liverpool Roubaix cyclosportive.

Drone video of the Liverpool Roubaix cobbles

On-bike video (below) of the bone-shaking cobbles – which start at 0:15 secs

UNPAVED/GRAVEL SECTORS

Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park – the HQ for Liverpool Roubaix.

The excellent cobbled road to High Peak which features in the Liverpool Roubaix cyclosportive.

2015 Testimonials

Love your events – Alex R.

Really enjoyed it…and the champagne thanks for a great day. Prosecco at end was an absolute winner!  – Paul C.

Agree, glass of bubbly worked for me at the end. Great feel to the event, very well sign posted. – Lee R

Great event well organised. Will be looking to do it again next year. – Si L.

Excellent event – James B.

Good event, well-marked, just as physical as a climbing sportive when run off at +18 mph. – Jonathan F.

Fabulous ride! Route was fun, signage was good, organisers friendly. We’ll be back next year. Karen D.

Loved the route. Loved the atmosphere and the friendliness – drafting at 38kph on gravel was a novel experience for me! Very good feel factor and friendly vibe. – Rob C.

Loved it. Had it plotted on Garmin but the standard of the signing was first class. You would have to be blind to get lost on this course. Finishing on the velodrome was a complete blast despite being knackered and would have loved to do more than 1 1/2 laps. The chocolate and fizz at the end was absolutely inspired. – Barry A.

Cracking event …also think we should have some sort of group that can reinstate/protect cobbled roads as they do in Belgium. I’ll be singing up next year — Gareth R.

Loved the day and it was good to do something different. – Allan D.

Great event. You could really crank it if you wanted to (as evidenced by some of the times). – James A.

An old photo of the Feed Station – the General Elliot in Croft at roughly half-way. Cobbles now removed, sadly.

Riders at the start of the 2015 Liverpool Roubaix.

The Main Lane cobbles are just as challenging as some of the cobbled sectors in Paris-Roubaix.

Slightly downhill gradient of the cobbles makes for a fast and thrilling ride.

27mm+ tyres are best for the gravel and cobbled roads of Liverpool Roubaix. Vittoria Pave are an excellent choice.

Sector 3: The Mossborough Hall stony gravel road.

Nairo Quintana (runner-up in this year’s Tour de France) rides past Knowsley Hall in the 2014 Tour of Britain.

Knowsley Velodrome. Riders complete a lap-and-a-half at the finish of the Liverpool Roubaix sportive.

THE INSPIRATION – Paris-Roubaix

Bradley Wiggins on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in 2014 – the inspiration for the Liverpool Roubaix event..

The velodrome finish of Paris-Roubaix. Tom Boonen wins in 2009.

TESTIMONIALS FOR CYCLE CLASSICS

THE WILIER CYCLE CLASSICS SERIES

Cheshire Cobbled Classic – White Roads Classic- Tour of the Black Country