There are few things as daunting as the cobbles between Paris and Roubaix for any cyclist. <\/span><\/p>\n The race is invariably decided by a mix of grit, power and sheer luck.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ineos Grenadiers teenager Joshua Tarling is not worried, despite this being his first season as a professional. <\/span><\/p>\n After all, what could frighten the 19-year-old when he is surrounded by such experienced team-mates as fellow Welsh cyclist Luke Rowe and Italian Filippo Ganna.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact at 19 years and 53 days, Tarling will become the youngest rider to compete in the men’s race since 1937.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m not stressing too much because you’ve got Luke [Rowe] here, who is a Classics genius and you’ve got [Filippo] Ganna who’s the strongest ever,” said Tarling.<\/span><\/p>\n “In a team like this just don’t stress, learn as much as you can from them and see how it goes, and do your job.” <\/span><\/p>\n There is Welsh interest in both the women’s race on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday. <\/span><\/p>\n Along with Rowe and Tarling in the men’s race is Owain Doull, who will be riding for EF Education-Easypost, while the Backstedt sisters, Elynor and Zoe, will be hoping to emulate their father’s win from 2004 when Magnus celebrated victory.<\/span><\/p>\n While the other four trained at Cardiff’s Maindy Flyers, Aberaeron’s Tarling found that preparing around his native Ceredigion was “perfect”.<\/span><\/p>\n “My parents started a club in Aberaeron – West Wales Cycling Club,” said Tarling.<\/span><\/p>\n “We used to cycle around that new school in Llandysul, they’ve got a good loop round there so they used to let us do sessions on Thursday nights. <\/span><\/p>\n “It was perfect for training, the roads are quiet and it’s hard to get an easy ride, it’s so hilly all the time. <\/span><\/p>\n “You haven’t got a lot of choice. Sometimes, you’d think, ‘oh no not another hill’ but then it makes you stronger, so when you get to do flatter races, it’s easier.” <\/span><\/p>\n “When you get back home there’s beaches and nice views. I always like switching off after training and it’s perfect for that because you can train, train hard and then chill, so it worked really well.”<\/span><\/p>\nThe Welsh challenge <\/h3>\n
‘It’s last man standing’<\/h3>\n
![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/9524\/production\/_129308183_gettyimages-1378078539.jpg\")
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