Riders take risk over level crossing during Paris-Roubaix (video)

A number of riders continued across the railway tracks after the barriers had come down, but avoid disqualification

The chaos of the cobbles was far from the only risky moment for some riders during the 2015 Paris-Roubaix, with a number making the mad move across railway tracks closed off by a level crossing barrier, which came down as the peloton rode across.

The barriers went into action as the riders were approaching the sector 18 of pavé, the Hornaing, with a host of riders choosing to continue to try and stick with those already across, despite a policeman's best efforts to hold them back.

The race, which was eventually won by John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) was quickly neutralised to allow the riders caught behind to get back to the peloton.

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Race director Thierry Gouvenou later confirmed that none of the riders would face sanction for not waiting, despite the UCI rules demanding riders be disqualified by the commissaires for crossing after the barriers had come down, which is also against the law.

It's not the first time a level crossing has wreaked havoc in Roubaix. Most notably in 2006, when Leif Hoste and Peter van Petegem and the Vladimir Gusev were all disqualified for dodging the gates.

Tom Boonen, who waited, finished in fifth that year but was later moved up to second behind winner Fabian Cancellara after the trio ahead were disqualified.

PARIS-ROUBAIX 2006

Tom Boonen waits at a level crossing during the 2006 Paris-Roubaix (Watson)
(Image credit: Watson)

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Richard Windsor

Follow on Twitter: @richwindy


Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.


An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).