The Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest cycle races of the professional road cycling calendar. First run in 1896, it was created by two Roubaix textile manufacturers, Théo Vienne and Maurice Perez, who were hoping the race would become a training for the then more famous Bordeaux-Paris. They suggested the idea to Paul Rousseau, director of sports newspaper Le Vélo and he was immediately convinced, sending his cycling editor Victor Breyer to research and scout the original route between Paris and Roubaix. The race has been contested every year since 1896, stopped only by the two World wars.

The first edition of the race was held in Easter, April 19, 1896, receiving the nickname of La Pascale(English: The Easter). A total of 188 competitors left Paris from Bois de Boulogne park for almost 300 kilometres to Roubaix. Josef Fischer, the winner of this first edition, received 1000 francs.

As of 2007 Paris-Roubaix, there are 28 cobbles sections included in the race, three of them considered to be of maximum difficulty. As well as the famous Trouée d’Arenberg, other difficult sections include the 3000 m Mons-en-Pévèle (after 213 km) and the 2100 m Le Carrefour de l’Arbre (at 244 km) — often decisive in the final kilometres of the race.

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