“It’s a legendary course. I think it's the mix of cobbles, speed and technique that makes the race so special. The pain, the journey and the people. » Laurenz Rex did not hide his excitement this Saturday on the eve of the start of this Paris-Roubaix 2024. Ninth last year, the leader of the Intermarché-Wanty (24 years old) had great ambitions.
Read alsoParis-Roubaix: follow the race live
Nothing ended up going as planned. His team announced its retirement a little after 2 p.m. after only four paved sectors. Rex put his bike away after impaling himself against a traffic sign in a central reservation. A second or two of inattention in a turn without any particular difficulty, a somersault and a fatal mistake at the finish.
However, I can see: Laurenz Rex is a tweed that is in good shape. #ParisRoubaix #ParijsRoubaix
Mis niets van de koers: https://t.co/6H13s3Jea3 pic.twitter.com/HxsbpHxx63
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) April 7, 2024
The native of Wallonia is in total bad luck. He had already been caught in a collective fall a few kilometers earlier. Hit in the shoulder and left arm, he then fell in the same way as Alberto Bettiol, Nils Politt, Laurenz Rex and Jonathan Milan. Elie Viviani had left directly at the end of this incident.
Laurenz Rex abandoned the race following his two crashes. He was truly heroic. We keep you informed about the extent of his injuries. #ParisRoubaix pic.twitter.com/iherdVQAdA
— Intermarché-Wanty (@IntermarcheW) April 7, 2024
The first half of the race generally took place without any major damage. The most difficult sectors are scheduled a little later, including the famous Arenberg gap and its controversial chicane at the entrance.