The two-time Australian road race champion is just one of many fans, pundits and professional riders looking forward to the famous event nicknamed ‘The Hell of the North’.
“This is probably going to be one of the turning points for women’s cycling,” Elvin said during a recent interview with Bridie O’Donnell and Kate Bates of Cycling Central.
“I think this is going to be next level; Paris-Roubaix and the women’s Tour de France next year are really going to set the stage for how women’s cycling can be as a sport and as an economy in sport for years to come.”
Featuring 17 sections, the 116-kilometre cobble-covered course will form new territory for a field of elite talent out to make their own history.
Ellen van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo), Chantal van den Broek-Blaak (SD Worx) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) are but a few of the household names set to feature, with Elvin singling out the first section as the most crucial on unforgiving terrain.
“(There are) a ridiculous amount of cobbles,” she added. “You feel like you can’t get any momentum.
“It’s going to be one of those races that, if you are out of position, it’s going to be harder and harder and harder as the race goes on to ever make it back into a good position.
“Point number one is going to be crucial.”
The women’s Paris-Roubaix will air LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand from 10:30pm (AEST) this Saturday, October 2.
