Romain Bardet got a taste of 'The Hell of the North' on Friday as he clattered across the notorious cobblestones of northern France in preparation for the Paris-Roubaix-inspired stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
The Frenchman will fight for the yellow jersey in his preferred terrain of the mountains in the second half of this year's Tour, but in order to get there he must survive 15 sectors of pavé, totalling 21.7km, on stage 9 of the race.
Bardet, well aware of the importance of that day, has already committed to riding Strade Bianche and Dwars Door Vlaanderen this spring in order to familiarise himself with the terrain, and on Friday he tested himself on all 15 sectors that lie between Arras and Roubaix.
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He was joined by the bulk of AG2R La Mondiale's Classics contingent, with Belgian champion Oliver Naesen, Julien Duval, and new signings Tony Gallopin and Silvan Dillier all in attendance.
"These aren't just sanitised cobbles. It will be a real, real mess at the Tour - without doubt the hardest stage, the one that will create the biggest gaps between the favourites," said Bardet, according to L'Equipe.
"With the succession of sectors, you'll pay dearly for any mishap or pause. I enjoyed it. Even if I'll feel vulnerable at the Tour, it will give some definition to the race."
— AG2RLM Cyclisme (@AG2RLMCyclisme) January 26, 2018
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