The classics purists will be rejoicing at the long term weather forecast for northern France this weekend. Despite a beautiful 20 degree, sunny and windless day for the Ronde van Vlaanderen last Sunday, and drizzles but no downpour at Gent-Wevelgem yesterday, the weather has taken a turn for the worse this week and it's expected to be cold, wet and windy in Roubaix. Forecast maximum temperatures are approximately 10 degrees, and the wind will probably be from the northwest, which will blow ahead and across the riders all day. Added to that are intermittent rain showers, meaning that the Hell of the North will be another slug-fest across the muddy plains of northern France.
