What make a cobbled classics specialist?

We assess the skills riders need to have in order to excel in the this unique block of racing.

The cobbled classics are unlike any other races in cycling, and as such, they come with their own unique characteristics and demands.

It is relatively easy to categorise climbing specialists as lightweight, nimble riders who can sustain power on long mountain passes, or sprinters with their more muscular physiques, able to deliver explosive efforts just seconds from the line. Far less is known about what makes a good cobbled classics rider though, so we asked two of the best in the business to give us their thoughts on what it takes to shine in this type of racing.

Team Sky coach Rod Ellingworth (RE) needs no introduction, having overseen the preparation for every classic since the team was launched back in 2010. Sports Director Servais Knaven (SK) as well, has been calling the shots from the team car since 2011, having retired as a rider the previous season after an enviable career which saw him ride Paris-Roubaix on 16 consecutive occasions (a record he shares with Raymond Impanis), and win the race in horrendous conditions back in 2001.

They both offered similar answers, so we have compiled the following checklist we believe you need to tick off if you want to become a King of the Cobbles:

All-round ability:

SK: You have to be in peak condition to excel in these races, and be a complete bike rider. For the Belgian classics – which have the steep cobbled climbs - you need to be good on short, sharp ascents, and at Paris-Roubaix, you have to be able to produce and sustain repeated accelerations on the flat. The same skills are required for sprinting out of the many corners that come on the narrow, twisty roads, and at the end of a long day when the winner is often decided from a reduced-bunch sprint. Most cobbles specialists are good in time trials at other points in the season for these same reasons, provided they have the technical abilities as well.

RE: Bike handling is also key as there are so many technical demands which come into play. The uneven cobbles can be a minefield, especially when it rains as they get really slippery. The Belgian roads are renowned for their furniture as well, but I think the most important ability to have is good positioning skills, which leads us on to fearlessness.

Fearlessness:

RE: These races require a completely unique type of fight. It’s a warzone out there and you’ve got to be able to jostle for position to be in the right place at the right time. You’ve got to be brave and have no fear in those situations. There’s so much pushing and shoving leading into the key cobbled sections, and the chances of crashing are very high. If you talk to the people who’ve ridden them, it’s pretty scary, and that type of racing doesn’t suit everyone. You have to be able to fight all day, and if you can’t cope with that, then you’re not going to be any good in the cobbled classics.

SK: The main battlegrounds actually come become before the cobbled sections because it’s there where everyone is fighting to get in the best positions. Once the riders are on the cobbles it’s simply a matter of them holding their positions and keeping their power down to stay upright. The fight beforehand is where the real fear part comes.

Tactical nous:

SK: Tactically, the cobbled classics are a totally different ball game, and experience is key. These races are so unique, and every one of them is different. There are so many different tactics to play, so a knowledge of the roads and key cobbled sections is crucial. It’s vital to be properly prepared and know exactly what’s coming up and when. Riding these races year after year is the best way to build up that knowledge, as is watching past races to see how things played out. If you have a big database in your head going into a race it allows you to make the best decisions.

RE: As well as being able to turn it on when it matters, you also have to learn when to hold back as well. Saving energy is almost as important as knowing when to use it as the races are so long and so demanding on the body.

Focus:

SK: These races can last over six hours and the riders need to stay focused at all times. It’s really hard for me to call the shots from the car because these races are often decided by split-second decisions on the road. The riders have to make those calls and all I can do as a Sports Director is prepare them as best I can. If you hesitate for five seconds your race can be finished. You have to ride with passion and follow your instincts. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to make those correct calls.

RE: There are no second chances in one-day races like this - that’s what makes them so exciting to watch - and why concentration is key. You can make a mistake in a multi-stage race and make up for it the next day, but in the cobbled classics every metre of the road, and every decision counts. That’s the big difference.

Passion:

SK: You have to love these races. You have to love the fight that we’ve talked about above, and have an appreciation for the history and mystique that surrounds these races. There is definitely a magic to them, being part of a war of attrition that unfurls, and riding the same roads that have been used since the beginning of the sport.

RE: People often ask why Tony Martin doesn’t excel in these races. He’s a three-time world time trial champion and possesses most the attributes needed to be good in these races except, I presume, he just doesn’t enjoy this type of racing. That’s what makes it such an important attribute – only certain riders enjoy these races.

Versatility:

SK: While individual ability is perhaps more important in these races than at any other point in the season, your chances of success are far higher if you are part of a well-drilled team. The cobbled classics still require a big team effort, and if you have a strong group of riders, you have a number of different cards to play. More often than not these races are survival of the fittest, but other riders can still get their chance to shine. We’ve seen on many occasions where the pre-race favourites mark each other out, and that sometimes results in some surprise results. Take Johann Vansummeren at Paris-Roubaix in 2011. Thor Hushovd was the big-name rider in his team (Garmin-Cervelo), but while Fabian Cancellara was arguing with him for not contributing to the workload, Johan attacked from the breakaway and held on to win.

RE: We’re at the point now where we have a really strong team, and have a good group of riders that can all be right up there. These guys know all the roads now, and have built up that bank of experience. We’re more prepared for these races than we’ve ever been before.

SK: You always need luck to win these races, but when you have a really good team, luck is more likely to be on your side. Our guys are really up for it and they have a lot of confidence. The morale is high and it would be a major goal achieved if we manage to win either the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix.

Learn more about the modification that are made to Team Sky's bikes during the cobbled classics by clicking HERE.