Behind the Lens: Paris-Roubaix Cobbles & Chaos
New weekend, new race – this time it was the legendary Paris-Roubaix. The most brutal one-day race on the pro calendar. And, like most of my race days, it started in chaos.
Recon Day – Everything but smooth
The plan was simple: catch a train from Lille to Tournai, meet up with Alen and our driver Gauthier, and head to Arenberg for the UAE Team recon ride with Tadej Pogačar. But of course, the one train I needed was cancelled. Panic mode kicked in instantly. Luckily, a super helpful person at the info desk sorted me out with an alternative route, and they picked me up in a nearby town.
We made it to the first location with time to spare, which was perfect because we needed to secure a good spot – they fly by so fast you only get one shot at a good frame. Then straight into the car and off to the next sector. The bonus? We had the route map and Alen had Tadej’s live location, which helped us stay one step ahead. We were joined by a director and a camera op working on a documentary for the 130th anniversary of the race, so we all teamed up and made a solid plan. In the end, we covered four cobbled sectors and walked away with tons of great material from the recon.
Foto: Alan Bučar Vukšić @alan.bucar
Friday – The chill before the storm
The day before the race was my one off-day. The only thing I had to do was pick up my accreditation from the Roubaix velodrome. Total luck – as I arrived, I bumped into Alenka, Ana (photographer and journalist from Siol.net) and Lena (Freelance photographer). They asked what I was up to. I said “nothing,” and suddenly I was joining them to go watch the women’s race on the course.
We caught the front group, then jumped in the car and made it to the finish just in time – thanks to the press sticker on the windshield. Pauline FERRAND-PREVOT from Team Visma | Lease a Bike soloed to the win. I kept things light – just some phone photos and videos – enjoying the rare luxury of a relaxed day.
Foto: Alan Bučar Vukšić @alan.bucar
Race Day – Orange clouds and near-misses
The original plan was to wait at the finish, but I linked up with Alenka, Ana and Lena again and we headed to Arenberg for the main event. The vibe was insane – packed crowds, noise, flares, full atmosphere. I got some solid B-roll and grabbed a prime filming spot under the bridge. I waited over an hour on the slope (ankles screaming), but I knew the spot was too good to give up.
Foto: Alan Bučar Vukšić @alan.bucar
When the race finally arrived, I managed to capture the breakaway riders perfectly in a wide shot – everything was going to plan. But right after that moment, someone next to me lit a flare.
At first, I wasn’t too worried, but 10 seconds later I was completely engulfed in orange smoke. I moved – still smoke. I moved again – still smoke. Third time’s the charm? Nope. Still orange. My DJI Action cam caught all my swearing as I tried to salvage something. In the end, I managed a few shots by the barriers – not ideal, but I made it work.
After the peloton passed, we jumped in the car and headed for Roubaix. The roads were blocked by police, so I hopped out to check things – didn’t want to risk missing the finish. Five minutes later, the road opened and we rushed to the velodrome. Thanks to our press sticker, we got straight in.
We arrived just in time. Van der Poel came flying in for the win, and a minute later, Pogačar crossed the line. Since i wasn’t allowed to use race footage due to broadcast rights, I focused on capturing as much as possible after the finish – podium, press conference, and the iconic showers.
The famous Roubaix showers are a tradition that’s lasted over a century. And while I understand the historical significance, I have mixed feelings about how little privacy riders get, even there. That said, I was glad to see everyone – myself included – remained respectful.
Foto: Alan Bučar Vukšić @alan.bucar
What did I take away from this?
Paris-Roubaix is a film, not just a race. It’s action, emotion, history, and mayhem. For me, it was a test in staying calm, thinking fast, and adapting on the fly. Even though I couldn’t use the footage from the race itself, I walked away with something just as valuable – the atmosphere, the story, the vibe. And, of course, a bit of that signature orange smoke.