Lars Boom has taken on the new role of CCC-Liv performance manager, and his first priority is to help the CCC-Liv team, including Marianne Vos, win the women's Paris-Roubaix for the first time on October 25. 2014 Tour de France 's "Paris-Roubaix" stage winner, the recently retired pro explained her top three tips for tackling the unique cobblestones of the northern hellhole.

"This year was the first Paris-Roubaix for the ladies and I was asked by CCC-Liv to share my experience in cobblestones and classics," said Boom, who spent his last year racing as a professional in Lumppot-Charles in 2019.

"I plan to do a lot of scouting with the riders. I'm going to ride their bikes and share my experiences with them to see how they ride on the cobblestones." The cobblestones in Paris-Roubaix are very different from, say, Belgium. I hope to help them learn a lot about how to ride on these cobblestones.

"I also have experience with materials, like what kind of tires to ride, what kind of gear to ride, what kind of bike to ride. It's all about how to do it, and there are a lot of little things, but it's all the little things that make a big difference."

In May, the UCI announced a revised late-season calendar to replace plans that were cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Since then, despite some cancellations, the Women's World Tour has maintained 15 of its original 22 events, including the surprise addition of the Women's Paris-Roubaix.

"I think it took a little bit too long," said Riders. If you look at where women's cycling is going, we need to add more big races to the calendar." Their races are really exciting to watch, there are good races going on, and there is always something going on. I was excited when I saw that Paris-Roubaix had been added to the calendar. It also gives me the opportunity to work as a performance manager in the near future. It will also be good to see other races like Milan - San Remo in the future."

CCC-Liv has not yet selected a team for the women's Paris-Roubaix, but Boom has former multiple-discipline world champion Marianne Vos, Soraya Paladin, Ashley Moolman Passio, Sabrina Stultiens, and others who can perform in such difficult terrain. He lists several riders who are capable of doing well in such difficult terrain.

"Soraya and Ashley are really strong and could win. Sabrina has cyclocross experience and is a good fit for her as a technical rider.

"Marianne also has a history of being a world champion in cyclocross, so she will want to race, and with Paris-Roubaix coming up in October, she will want to race there and win. Also, October is a big target for her and she will be in good shape to race. I am happy to work with her and she wants to learn a lot about my experience in that race: ...... She is also eager to learn about the cobblestone sections of Paris-Roubaix. The whole period with Giro Rosa is a big goal and this Paris-Roubaix is a big goal for her.

"I think when you are part of a team, you work together to win every race. This race is even more special for me, so I will do my best to win with my team."

Race organizer ASO has not released route details for the women's race, but Boom made some predictions about the competition distance and cobbled sections that the women's field might contend with. Boom believes that the route could be between 120km and 150km, and that the cobbled section will likely begin in the Arenberg forest, approximately 80km or 90km from the Roubaix velodrome.

Boom considers previewing the cobblestone sectors a top priority before taking on a race like Paris-Roubaix. He took his team to preview the course in August and will do so again closer to the race in October, when rain and cold weather are expected.

"Previewing the course is one of the most important things," he said. If I can see the riders running on the cobblestones, I can give them advice on things like holding the handlebars more loosely, leaning back a bit, trying this and that."

"Cobblestones are very different from a race like Flanders. Sometimes you'd think the cobblestones are like being thrown off an airplane." So recon [reconnaissance] is dangerous and a big problem. That's why I'm really happy to have the opportunity to do proper reconnaissance with the right materials and share my experience with the team"

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Aside from previewing the main cobblestone sectors, Boom offered three pieces of advice about the Paris-Roubaix race.

"Before every cobblestone section is like preparing for a sprint, and your position in the pack is very important. When you hit the cobblestones, it's a critical moment whether you go left or right, and every cobblestone section is a critical moment for the race and the final result."

"If you are too far back, a crash or a flat tire will happen and you will fall behind. Your position when you hit the cobblestones is very important and it can make or break your day.

"When you are riding on cobblestones, you must always look 200 meters ahead to see what is happening on the cobblestones. For example, if you are running in a group and you see the backs and shoulders of the other riders dropping, something is happening [the terrain is changing] and you have to be ready for it. [You must] drop your back and shoulders, shift back, don't hold the handlebars too hard, and let the bike do a little bit of the work.

"If you fight the bike, it will fight back and slow you down.

"What kind of bike you ride is important. This year Liv is still riding with regular brake pads, she doesn't have disc brakes, because in late October the farmers are bringing their crops out, so they use the cobblestones for that.

"I'm thinking about getting a Brava cyclocross bike, but I need to decide if I want to get a Brava or a Langma road bike. A cyclo-cross bike would be much easier to fit bigger tires on. That's something I'll decide after the recon."

"October is likely to be wet and cold. If it rains and is cold, it will be tougher than in April. We'll have to plan differently for clothing and tires, and we might even lower the tire pressure [if it rains].