Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix keep the soul of Paris-Roubaix alive

Volunteers from Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix repair and maintain the cobbled sectors used in the 250 km Paris‑Roubaix race, and they made last‑minute fixes at the Trouée d'Arenberg ahead of the 2026 edition.

Les Amis de Paris‑Roubaix is a volunteer group that cares for the cobbled roads and heritage tied to the Paris‑Roubaix one‑day race. The organisation monitors, repairs and replaces damaged cobblestones across the route, and its members work in all weather to preserve the pavé. The group also connects the race to local communities through training and small employment projects. Ahead of the 2026 race, volunteers carried out repairs and temporary fixes in the Trouée d'Arenberg where some cobbles were missing. Key facts: - Les Amis de Paris‑Roubaix is made up of volunteers who maintain the race's cobbled sectors and related sites such as the Roubaix velodrome. - The men's route this year includes over 50 km of cobbled sectors, including the 2.4 km Trouée d'Arenberg, a five‑star difficulty section. - Volunteers found and repaired missing cobbles in Arenberg using temporary sand‑and‑cement plugs with about 48 hours to the race. - The organisation also works with local charities and a horticultural college and has used measures such as eco‑grazing (about 40 goats) to manage vegetation. - Organisers report concerns that some cobbles have been removed, which they said can create safety risks for riders. Summary: The volunteers' work sustains the physical pavé and the local traditions linked to Paris‑Roubaix, and it supports community projects in a region affected by deindustrialisation. The race remains scheduled for the coming days, and organisers and volunteers carried out repairs and monitoring in the hours before the event.