Rising COVID-19 numbers across Europe, and especially in France, have forced organiser ASO to call off the 118th edition of the cobbled classic and the inaugural women’s Paris-Roubaix race which was scheduled to take place on October 25.
While attempts were made to run the event with restricted attendances, ASO was left with no choice but to cancel when the town of Roubaix, where the race was set to finish, was assigned the highest coronavirus threat level by French health authorities.
The race had already been rescheduled from its usual spot on the calendar in April due to the Pandemic.
The 2021 event is still expected to take place on April 11.
“At the request of the Préfet du Nord, Préfet des Hauts de France and following the Health Minister Olivier Véran's announcement yesterday, that placed the Lille Metropolitan area on maximum alert, the 118th edition of Paris-Roubaix (UCI WorldTour) and the 1st edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes (UCI Women's WorldTour), originally scheduled to take place on the 25th October, will not be organised," an ASO statement said.
"Paris-Roubaix, an incredibly popular event and one that is met with great enthusiasm every year, had already been postponed from its original 12th of April date following the containment measures put in place in spring to fight against the spread of COVID-19.
"We would like to warmly thank the communities and event partners who supported us in this postponement as well as those who were, like us, delighted to see the Queen of the Classics even in the autumn.
"We will see you on the cobblestones on the 11th April 2021 to celebrate one of the greatest monuments in world cycling."
