This year's Paris-Roubaix has been postponed until the autumn. 

The one-day classic has fallen victim to the new three-week lockdown imposed across France.

The Paris-Roubaix is famous for being raced largely over the cobbled roads of the region.

This year's installation was due to run on April 11, but the men's edition will take place instead on October 2, with the women's race on October 3.

On Wednesday night, French president Emmanuel Macron extended a lockdown in certain regions - including Paris - to envelope the entire country.

"We don’t have to lock ourselves in but we need to limit our contacts," he said, "We tried to push back this day for as long as possible – but unfortunately it has now arrived."

He added, “We will lose control if we do not act now.”

All schools and day care centres in France have been closed until April 26.

Daily COVID-19 cases in France have surged in recent weeks to approximately 40,000 a day.

However, football in Ligue 1 and rugby in the Top 14 will continue despite the lockdown.

Addressing the postponement of the Paris-Roubaix, race director Christian Prudhomme said, "An eminently popular Classic, targeted by the best riders in the world, followed by millions of fans and benefitting from a television broadcast in 190 countries, Paris-Roubaix is a source of pride for the whole Hauts de France region that welcomes it with fervour each year.

"It’s part of the region. It’s part of its history.

"It’s why we are happy to announce that the Queen of the Classics will be happening in 2021 and that the women’s edition will be enjoyed for the first time by competitors and fans alike.”

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