FLOAT OVER ROUGH STUFF LIKE… TOM BOONEN

There’s a knack to coasting over cobbles and tackling rough terrain

The recently retired Tom Boonen was king of the cobbled Classics for years with four Paris-Roubaix wins and three Tour of Flanders wins. Greg Van Avermaet has picked up the baton proving to be a champion over the Roman roads, but there’s a whole lot more to riding the rougher terrain than simply fitting a pair of 28mm tyres and crossing your fingers.

The robust requirements of the pavé call for a bike and a body prepared to take a bit of a pounding. For many this means bagging a bike that’s built for the job, with suspension adaptations. But for others it’s a case of adapting the bike and the technique to overcome the cobbles. Pick your line and stick to it. Take a look at images from the Classics and, no matter what the era, the leaders will be the guys with their focus fixed firmly forward. Stay alert and aim for the smoothest of lines. Not all cobbles are the same. Avoid rougher sections and look for the quicker parts. Away from the cobbles it can pay to get cross. Cyclocross (CX) is a great exercise for bike handling and off-road skills. Many CX racers have had success when turning their hand to the Classics, most recently Zdenek Stybar with two Roubaix podium places. It familiarises the rider with the rigours of a rough ride, and it’s fun! Ensure equal torque distribution. With grip being an important factor, it’s crucial to pedal smoothly, especially on climbs - staying seated and pushing the pedals in a circle rather than stomping. This can keep that grip to get the power down rather than bouncing over the cobbles. Double the bar tape. Many pros add a second round of bar tape when it comes to the cobbled Classics to help dampen the vibrations. This makes the ride more comfortable and keeps you in control as it stops your hands going numb. Pros also resort to taping the pedals too, again to absorb some of the shock and give the cleats additional purchase.