Paris-Roubaix: Pave sector named after Eddy Merckx

Paris-Roubaix: Sectors named after Degenkolb and Merckx

This honour had previously only been bestowed on five other riders, including 2015 winner John Degenkolb. The often decisive Camphin-en-Pevele section will henceforth bear the name Secteur Eddy Merckx. The 1.8-kilometre-long, four-star section is located directly in front of the Carrefour de l'Arbre, the most challenging of the 29 cobbled sections after the Arenberg Forest. It is also just 500 metres from the border with Merckx's home country of Belgium.

Merckx has won the race, which enters its 120th edition on Sunday, three times. The 77-year-old received the award in the Roubaix Velodrome 50 years after his last success. "It's the queen of the classics, a very, very tough and special race," said the Belgian. "Afterwards, everything hurts and your joints ache so much that you need a few days off. I still remember how much my hands and back hurt."

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