The Paris-Roubaix cycling races in 2026 will, for the first time, host four professional events on the same day: Juniors, Espoirs, Men, and Women. To ensure the smooth running of these events on Sunday, April 12, 2026, security and emergency services will be mobilized before and during the races. The day before, the ‘Paris-Roubaix Challenge’ cycling tour will take place.
Security Measures for Paris-Roubaix 2026
Approximately one thousand police officers and gendarmes, including reservists, will ensure the safety of riders and the public throughout the entire course. Belgian police will also assist the national police and gendarmerie security forces, particularly in the Wallers-Arenberg trench and the ‘Carrefour de l’Arbre’ sectors in Gruson, which traditionally attract spectators from both countries.
Traffic and Parking Restrictions
Parking and traffic on the cobbled sectors, as well as parking in fields, are strictly prohibited. Motorhome and caravan owners will have dedicated parking spaces, defined by the municipalities along the race route.
On April 12, the routes used by the races will be completely closed to traffic at least twenty minutes before the first rider passes. These prohibitions apply to both directions of traffic until all riders, follow-up vehicles, and organization vehicles have passed.
There will be no reopening to traffic between the passage of the junior, espoir, and elite men’s and women’s races on the common itinerary for these four events. Spectators are urged to pay attention to the sequence of races to avoid a disorderly departure when the next race approaches. Organization vehicles will be dedicated to these reminders.
Avenues Alfred Motte and Roger Salengro in Roubaix will be closed to traffic from early morning until the end of the event. The elite men’s race will be preceded by a publicity caravan.
Road and Interchange Closures:
- Sunday, April 12, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM: Closure of both exit ramps of interchange N°18 ‘Denain’ on the A2 motorway towards the RD40 in both directions.
- Sunday, April 12, from 11:15 AM to 6:00 PM: Closure of the exit ramp of interchange N°2 and interchange N°2b on the A23 motorway towards the RD 938 in both directions.
Specific signage will be put in place to warn road users. The road vigilance unit recommends that users plan their journeys accordingly and primarily use the motorway network.
Safety on Cobbled Sectors
To facilitate the safe passage of participants, a ‘picket-roping’ system will be deployed by the organizer along parts of the cobbled sectors of Mons-en-Pévèle, Carrefour de l’Arbre, and Gruson. The public is asked to respect the instructions of law enforcement and to remain behind these ropes.
Paris-Roubaix Challenge: Amateur Event Guidelines
On Saturday, April 11, preceding the competitions, the ‘Paris-Roubaix Challenge’ amateur cycling event, organized by ASO, the race organizer, will bring together several thousand amateur cyclists. It is reminded that this event takes place on roads open to traffic, which are not dedicated to this race. Therefore, participants and other road users are urged to strictly respect the Highway Code for everyone’s safety. It is particularly prohibited to gather in pelotons and obstruct road traffic.
Alcohol Consumption Restrictions
In the Nord department, alcohol consumption is prohibited along the race route on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except within authorized hospitality areas, bar terraces, and other spaces with temporary public domain occupation permits issued by the competent authority.
General Safety and Prudence Rules
Road users, residents, and spectators are advised to adopt rules of prudence and civility during the passage of both the caravan and the race:
- Respect basic safety rules:
- Hold young children by the hand.
- Keep animals on a leash.
- Do not cross the road.
- Maintain a distance of 2 meters and do not push cyclists.
- Comply with instructions given by police and gendarmerie services or by race marshals and flaggers put in place by the organizer.
Law enforcement will be vigilant and fully mobilized to ensure compliance with the measures in place and the Highway Code. Checks will be carried out on all roads used by cyclists during the various events, as well as on surrounding routes.
Bertrand Gaume, Prefect of the Hauts-de-France region and Prefect of Nord, reiterates everyone’s commitment to keep these races festive events and calls for individual responsibility and respect for the Highway Code, security measures, and cyclists. He thanks all security and emergency forces, who are highly mobilized during this race.
Source: https://www.nord.gouv.fr/Actualites/Actualites/Courses-cyclistes-Paris-Roubaix-dispositif-mis-en-place
