When was Paris-Roubaix last won on alloy wheels – and why did they use them for so long?

The recent BikeRadar article revisits the historical use of alloy wheels in Paris-Roubaix, specifically questioning when they last carried a winner across the velodrome finish line and the rationale behind their prolonged adoption. While the article's title doesn't name a specific rider or year, it implicitly highlights a significant technological shift in professional cycling equipment, focusing on the transition from traditional alloy to modern carbon fibre wheels in one of cycling's most demanding races.

This exploration matters because Paris-Roubaix, with its brutal cobbled sectors, has historically been a crucible for equipment innovation and durability. For decades, alloy wheels were the standard, prized for their robustness and repairability, even if heavier. Their eventual supersession by carbon fibre reflects a broader industry trend towards lighter, stiffer, and aerodynamically superior materials, a shift that fundamentally altered bike design and race tactics, particularly in the Classics.

Ultimately, the article serves as a timely reminder that while technology relentlessly pushes performance boundaries, the core challenge of the 'Hell of the North' remains, regardless of the wheel material beneath the rider.