Roubaix

Roubaix on the northeastern outskirts of Lille has a rich history cycle racing. The one-day Paris-Roubaix race is held annually in April. The city held a minor race on a tree-lined temporary course in Parc Barbieux at the start of the 1950s. The Automobile Club du Nord organised the 1950 Grand Prix de Cinquantaire meeting which featured both cars and motorcycle races. Raymond Sommer’s works Ferrari 166 dominated the Formula 2 race by leading from pole position to the finish. The event was reprised as a handicap event for touring cars in 1952 and sports cars for the final car race on 21 June 1953.