Welcome to live coverage of the 112th edition of Paris-Roubaix - the 'Hell of the North' - the third monument of the spring classic season, a brutish schlep across the cobbles of northern France.

It's chilly in northern France with the temperature still in single figures.

They're off! The 199-strong peloton rolls out of the main town square in Compeigne to get the show on the road. One of them has already dropped a water bottle, which probably fell out of its cage thanks to the bumpy cobbles.

After his victory in the Tour of Flanders last week, Fabian Cancellara is the hot favourite. Should the Swiss win, he'll become the first man in history to nail three Flanders-Roubaix doubles. But Tom Boonen will look to become the first man in history to win five Roubaix titles, while Peter Sagan still looks for that elusive monument win.

It was cloudy this morning as the riders signed on at Compeigne. There's a slight chance of some rain but the most likely scenario is a dry race, which means as much dust as the Strade Bianche. Bring it on!