Sleaford Wheelers trio conquer cobbles at Paris-Roubaix

Paul Burrows, Matt Everton, and Rob Frisby rode the 172km course, one of four cobbled Classics in the cycling calendar, in under seven hours.

They had to contend with thick fog and low visibility at the start in the commune of Busigny.

A large section of the Paris-Roubaix course is ridden on some of France’s oldest cobbled roads with riders having to ensure their bikes can handle both them and the smooth road surfaces.

But the Wheelers managed the course without succumbing to any punctures or other mechanicals.

Frisby said: “In no time the first cobbled section of the 29 loomed out of the fog at Troisvilles.

“The numbness in our hands from the cold was soon replaced by a stinging vibration and rattling of teeth.

“The first few sections were slightly downhill and flew past with a quicker pace, helping us to get over the harshness of the Pave.

“We passed numerous other riders repairing punctures as the fog lifted and the temperature slowly inched its way into double figures.”

At the finish, riders had to complete a lap of the Roubaix Velodrome.

Frisby added: “As we swung into the final right-hand turn, into the banking of the velodrome, Matt and Paul sprinted off for the glory of first Wheeler through the finish.

“Paul pipped Matt on the line, and I coasted in a couple of seconds down and happy with third.

“With plenty of beer and wine drunken to rehydrate, and a bit of watching the actual race on Sunday, it was a good weekend.”