Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team take on the "Hell of the North"

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Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM TAKE ON THE “HELL OF THE NORTH”

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will line up for Paris-Roubaix, its third Monument of the season, this Sunday, April 9th with a very motivated team, made up of two cobble experts and five debutants.

8 April

2022

Known as the “Hell of the North”, Paris-Roubaix is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and challenging events in professional cycling. Taking place in northern France and covering over 250 kilometres, including more than 50 kilometres of cobbled sections, its famous for its challenging terrain and intense competition, making it a true test of endurance, skill, and strategy.

Tom Devriendt will be spearheading Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for Paris-Roubaix. The Belgian Classics specialist, who took an impressive 4th place in last year’s edition of this cobbled Monument, is looking to capitalise on his experience and fight for a good result in this iconic race.

“It’s a fight for survival”

“Paris-Roubaix is a race where I’ve achieved a nice result in my career so it will always be a special race for me. It truly is a beautiful race and unlike any other. It’s a unique Monument. The cobbles are something that really fit with the type of rider I am, however I had challenges in my preparation in the lead up to this race so I honestly don’t know what to expect from the race. I have nothing to loose and will give everything I have. I’ll try to guide my five teammates who are starting the race for the first time, but at a certain moment Paris-Roubaix is like every man for himself. The riders get scattered on the cobbles and it becomes a fight for survival,” said Tom Devriendt.

Jack Bauer will be making his 10th participation at Paris-Roubaix and his experience and knowledge of the race make him a valuable asset to the team. The 38-year-old Kiwi’s ability to handle the challenging terrain and navigate the unpredictable conditions that are typical of this race will be crucial to the team’s success.

Bauer’s guidance will be paramount to several of his teammates who will be racing he mighty “Hell of the North” for the very first time in their careers, including Filippo Colombo. The Swiss mountain bike specialist, who only last week rode 100 km in the breakaway at his maiden Ronde van Vlaanderen, will be tackling his second Monument of the season and his eager to give his utmost to tame the cobbles in Northern France and reach the mythical Roubaix Velódrome.

Italians Matteo Moschetti and Antonio Puppio will, likewise, make their respective debuts at Paris-Roubaix, as will former Sweden National time-trial Champion Tobias Ludvigsson.

Completing our seven rider squad is Canadian Nick Zukowsky who has been flying the flag for the team in several Spring Classics, including Dwars door Vlaanderen, where he made the breakaway.

“This is a race that tries everything to defeat you”

“We are thrilled to be making our debut at Paris-Roubaix,” said Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Sports Director, Aart Vierhouten. “This race is a true test of a cyclist’s abilities, and we believe that our team is more than up for the challenge. This is a race that tries everything to defeat you: a crash, a flat tire, a broken bike. But still you can come back and win the race! Mindset and determination is everything. We don’t expect all of our riders to have the best race of their lives but we do expect them to give their all. The first race happens in the first 80km and it’s the fight to be in the breakaway. We want to be in that fight and be protagonists of that breakaway and show our combative spirit, just like we did in Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Aart Vierhouten, Rik Reinerink and Alex Sans Vega will be the Sports Directors for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the race.