Paris-Roubaix ill not take place for the first time since 1942 after being cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic ©Getty Images

Paris-Roubaix has been cancelled for the first time since the Second World War after a rise in coronavirus cases saw the Lille metropole region placed on maximum alert.

The one-day cobbled classic had initially been scheduled to take place on April 12 but was among numerous races postponed by the pandemic.

A revised International Cycling Union WorldTour calendar saw the event rescheduled for October 25.

A women’s race was due to take place for the first time, alongside the 118th edition of the men’s event.

Organisers have now been forced to call off this year’s races.

"At the request of the Prefect of the North, Prefect of Hauts de France and following the announcement yesterday by Olivier Véran, Minister of Solidarity and Health, placing the European Metropolis of Lille on maximum alert, the 118th edition of Paris-Roubaix and the 1st edition of Paris-Roubaix Women, which were to take place on October 25, will not be organised," a Paris-Roubaix statement read.

"Paris-Roubaix, which arouses extraordinary popular enthusiasm every year, had been deprogrammed from its initial date, April 12, following the containment measures that had been taken last spring to fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

"We would like to warmly thank the communities and partners of the event who followed us in this change of date, as well as all those who, like us, were delighted to see the Queen of the Classics again even in the fall.

"We invite them to meet on April 11, 2021 to once again celebrate the cobblestones of the North, true monuments in the history of world cycling."

A women's Paris-Roubaix had been scheduled to take place for the first time ©Getty Images
A women's Paris-Roubaix had been scheduled to take place for the first time ©Getty Images

Paris-Roubaix has been held annually since 1896.

The race has only previously been cancelled due to World Wars.

Four editions of the race were cancelled because of World War One, while World War Two saw three races called off.

The last time the race was not held was 1942.

Coronavirus has continued to have an impact on the cycling season, despite the return to WorldTour racing at the start of August.

The Amstel Gold Race, which had been due to take place tomorrow, was cancelled last month due to tightened coronavirus restrictions in The Netherlands.

Restrictions also led to the cancellation of the Dutch stages at the BinckBank Tour, leading to organisers having to adapt the race midway through.

The Gent–Wevelgem event, due to take place in Belgium on Sunday (October 11), has also been cancelled as a result of coronavirus.