Photo emerges of "heroic" mud levels on pavé of Paris-Roubaix

This photo has been shared by three-time winner of Paris-Roubaix Johan Museeuw and shows the currently level of mud on one section of pavé set to be used in Sunday's race.

 

Yesterday it emerged the organiser's of this Sunday's Paris-Roubaix planned to axe the first section of cobbles unless the level of mud on them cleared up.

And now the man who won the race three times during his career Johan Museeuw has said the levels of mud he has seen look "heroic".

If conditions hold, the race should be a great spectacle to watch, though those conditions will not be welcomed by the riders.

Museeuw, who has confessed to doping during his career, shared the above photo on his Facebook page with a short and simple message: "That is looking pretty heroic if you ask me."

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The 50-year-old rode his last Paris-Roubaix in 2005 when he was 5th but had won the race in 1996, 2000 and 2002.

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He was second once - in 2001 - and was third twice - 1995 and 1997.

Museeuw said he had ridden sections of pavé today, Wednesday, and was due to ride them tomorrow again.

And despite the levels of mud on this section featured in the photo he said some sections were in good condition, describing a number of others as mudfests.

The organisers had already said they are concerned at the condition of the first section of stones.

They said given the state of that section, when the riders fly onto it from the smoother road surface there may be carnage if it remains as muddy as it was during checks on Monday.

And so there may be only one thing for it; to lose that 2.2km opening stretch of pavé at Troisvilles, which comes just after 98km raced.

If so, 26 sections would remain leaving the pros racing a combined total of 50.6m of pavé during the 258km race from Compiegne to the famous velodrome at Roubaix.

A decision will be made before Friday evening, said Thierry Gouvenou of Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which owns the race.