Tour of Flanders (Mayhem)

ROBOT has mentioned cobbles previously.  These are a silent killer.  We have friends of parks volunteer groups here who do a job maintaining parks for the love of it. I can understand how there are conservation groups in Belgium restoring and repairing sections of cobbled road. Why does it have to be in the countryside?  There are sections of former cobbles completely resealed in tarmac. At the same time there are narrow twisting shapeless sections that the Tour of Flanders requires 100's of riders to squeeze in four abreast. Certainly does make for some spectacular crashing but is it necessary?  You have to hand it to Cancellara he can ride a bike however I have never been too impressed with the arrogance, particularly since that day he was demanding Cadel Evans get back in the pack and not join the breakaway.