It began at the same time in Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, when widespread improvements to roads after the second world war brought realisation that the character of both races were changing.
Hal ini dimulai bersamaan di Paris–Roubaix dan Tour of Flanders, saat perkembangan luas dari peningkatan jalan raya setelah Perang Dunia II memberikan realitas bahwa karakter kedua balapan akan berubah.