Paris-Roubaix podium history | 1914 edition | 1920 edition
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The race:
The 1919 Paris-Roubaix was 280 km long and raced at an average speed of 22.857 km/hr
139 racers signed up but there here were just 77 starters and 25 classified finishers.
The day was hit with cold rain.
After the war the area was in such terrible condition a journalist said the riders were going to ride through the "Hell of the North", a name for Paris-Roubaix that has stuck.
Most riders were not yet in condition for racing, but Henri Pélissier, Philippe Thys and Honoré Barthélémy were.
Pélissier and Thys were away, but a delay at at level crossing allowed Barthélémy to join them.
Thereafter the attacks were continuous and furious, but they finished together, where Pélissier's superb sprint won the day.
Winner Henri Pélissier
Complete Results: