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 PRESS RELEASE
BOONEN KING OF THE CLASSICS
Tom Boonen, 24, emerged as the new King of Classics when he won the 103rd Paris-Roubaix one week after being crowned in the Tour of Flanders. The Quick Step team leader gave Belgium its 51st victory in the Hell of the North and became the 9th rider to achieve the Flanders-Roubaix double.
Boonen outsprinted American George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) and Spain’s Juan Antonio Flecha (Fassa Bortolo), who had broken away with him with 17 kms left.
The race took off in cool but dry weather in Compiegne with 191 riders at the start after Spain’s Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) pulled out. Colombia’s Victor Hugo Pena, who crashed before the real start, was the first casualty of the day.
The longest breakaway was launched after 25 kilometres by Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), David Herrero (Euskaltel) and Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker). They were joined 30 kilometres later by Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Sebastien Chavanel (Bouygues Telekom), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel). The eight reached the first cobbled sector at Troisvilles (kilometre 97.5), nine minutes and 40 seconds before the main bunch after holding a maximum lead of 12:05 at kilometre 75.
Herrero and Chavanel, who was hampered by saddle problems, were later caught by the bunch as six men remained in front.
As the first cobbled sectors skimmed the bunch, some of the favourites saw their ambitions ruined : 2003 winner Peter van Petegem of Belgium was involved in a massive pile-up in the Vertain sector and had to work hard to make it back in the favourites group with the help of his Davitamon Lotto team-mates. Exhausted, he finally called it quits after 155 kilometres.
Veteran Italian Andra Tafi, the 1999 winner, punctured and struggled for most of his last major race before retiring.
The Quick Step team of favourite Tom Boonen seized the reins in the 178th kilometre in the Hornaing cobbled sector, Filippo Pozzato raising the tempo with the Tour of Flanders winner in his wheel.
A chasing group of riders with solid ambitions took shape including Boonen and Pozzato, 2004 winner Magnus Backstedt of Sweden, Swiss Fabian Cancellara and Fassa Bortolo team-mate Juan Antono Flecha, Dane Lars Michaelsen, Dutchman Leon van Bon and George Hincapie.
While Lang was caught in turn, the chase gained momentum and the main bunch was reduced to 22 riders, led by Steffen Wesemann’s T-Mobile team-mates.
The Boonen group caught what was left of the original breakaway at the end of the 11th cobbled sector after 209 kms. Eleven riders found themselves in the lead with 50 kms left, chased by Wesemann, Van Bon and Boonen’s close friend Kevin Hulsmans.
As usual, the Mons-en-Pevele sector, seen as the most demanding of the 26 on the menu, was decisive as five of the leading favourites took over (kilometre 213). While Cancellara punctured, Boonen, Flecha, Michaelsen, Hincapie and Backstedt were in command.
 An ideal breakaway as Boonen was bidding for a rare Flanders-Roubaix double, while Backstedt was looking to become the 11th rider to keep his title. The three others were in a position to become the first rider from their respective country to win the Queen of Classics.
Backstedt tried to raise the tempo to test his breakaway companions in the last cobbled sectors but he lost ground with Michaelsen when Flecha and Boonen moved up a gear in the Carrefour de l’Arbre sector, 15 kms from the line.
Boonen, Flecha and Hincapie were left to battle it out for victory.
Flecha, narrowly beaten for the Ghent-Wevelgem victory last week, led for most of the last 10 kms but could not avoid a sprint finish on the Roubaix cycling track.
Far more powerful and fast, Boonen easily outsprinted his two rivals to win his second leading classic and his seventh victory of the season. |
 NEWSFLASHES
17:43 - The top five
1. Tom Boonen (Belgium) Quick Step
2. George Hincapie (U.S.) Discovery Channel
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain) Fassa Bortolo
4. Magnus Backstedt (Sweden) Liquigas
5. Lars Michaelsen (Denmark) CSC
17:41 - Great double for Boonen
Tom Boonen became the 9th rider to win the Tour of FLanders and Paris-Roubaix the same year. The last rider to achieve the same feat was Peter Van Petegem in 2003.
It was Belgium's 51st victory in the Queen of Classics.
Second-placed George Hincapie and Spain's Juan Antonio Flecha, who was third, missed their chances to give their respective country its first victory in the Hell of the North.
17:38 - Boonen wins Paris-Roubaix
Belgian Tom Boonen won the 103rd Paris-Roubaix, outsprinting George Hincapie and Juan Antonio Flecha.
17:35 - The three on the Velodrome
Tom Boonen, George Hincapie and Juan Antonio Flecha enter the Roubaix Velodrome for the final sprint.
17:31 - Five kms from finish
The leading trio are five kms from the finish.
17:22 - Big three for victory
Tom Boonen, George Hincapie and Juan-Antonio Flecha -- the big three are left to battle it out for the crown in the Queen of classics with 10 kms left.
17:17 - Michaelsen, Backstedt dropped
Lars Michaelsen and last year's winner Magnus Backstedt are dropped after Flecha and Boonen make their move in the Carrefour de l'Arbre cobbled sector, 17 kms from the finish.
 17:12 - Backstedt raises tempo
Defending champion Backstedt tried to raise the pace in the middel of cobbled sector number 5 at Camphin, but was tamed by Flecha.
17:10 - 1:55 gap with 20 kms left
The five escapees lead the chasing seven by 1:55 with 20 kms left in the race. Tom Boonen systematically takes the lead when the five enter cobbled sectors.
16:55 - Seven chasers 1:10 behind
The five leaders lead a group of seven chasers by 1:10 with 31 kms left in the race. The second group includes Fabian Cancellara, Leon Van Bon, Steffen Wesemann, Erwin Thijs, Florent Brard, Arnaud Coyot and Kevin Hulsmans.
16:42 - Dream breakaway
With 40 kms left, five leading favourites are in command.
Tom Boonen bids to become only the 9th rider to score a Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix double.
Magnus Backstedt is looking to become the 11th rider to retain his Paris-Roubaix crown.
Juan Antonio Flecha, narrowly beaten in Ghent-Wevelgem last week, George Hincapie and Lars Michaelsen could all give their respective country its first victory in the Queen of classics.
16:32 - Five men in the lead
 A group of five riders -- Tom Boonen, Juan Antonio Flecha, George Hincapie, Lars Michaelsen, Magnus Backstedt -- took the reins as the leaders tackled the Mons-en-Pevele cobbled sector, seen as the most gruelling in the race (kiometre 213).
Swiss Fabian Cancellara punctured and was dropped.
16:26 - Wesemann, Van Bon and Hulsmans chase
T-Mobile team leader Steffen Wesemann, Belgian Kevin Hulsmans (Quick Step) and Dutchman Leon van Bon (Davitamon Lotto) are 35 seconds behind the 11 leaders.
16:24 - Composition of the leading group
Here is the composition of the leading group: Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas),George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), Lars Michaelsen (CSC), Fabian Cancellara and Juan Antonio Flecha (both Fassa Bortolo), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), Erwin Thijs (Mr Bookmaker),Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel).
16:22 - Escapees caught, eleven in the lead
The five riders in the Paris-Roubaix lead since kilometre 52 were caught by the Tom Boonen group after 209 kms. Eleven riders are in the lead.
16:15 - Wesemann chases behind Boonen group
German Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) has broken away from the third group to chase behind the Tom Boonen group. Wesemann, the 2004 Tour of Flanders winner, is joined by Boonen's team-mate and close friend Kevin Hulsmans.
16:13 - Hushovd and Wauters fall
Norway's Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) and Belgian Marc Wauters (Rabobank) crashed inside the third group of 22 riders chasing behind the five leaders and the six chasers including Tour of Flanders winner Tom Boonen.
16:07 - Gap narrows in front
The lead of the five escapees over the six chasers led by Tom Boonen is reduced to 1:25 after 200 kms. A bunch of 21 riders follows, less than 20 seconds behind.
16:00 - Six riders in the chase
The five leading riders --Stephane Berges (Agritubel), Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker),Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel) -- hold a 2:15 lead over a group of six riders -- Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas),George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), Lars Michaelsen (CSC), Fabian Cancellara and Juan Antonio Flecha (both Fassa Bortolo). The main bunch are 30 seconds behind.
15:46 - Lang dropped from leading group
German Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) has been dropped from the leading group. Five riders in the lead.
15:45 - Eight favourites chase
Eight of the leading favourites are now chasing the breakways after 183 kms. They are Tour of Flanders champion Tom Boonen, last year's winner Magnus Backstedt, Swiss Fabian Cancellara, Spain's Juan Antonio Flecha, Dutchman Leon van Bon, Dane Lars Michaelsen, Italian Filippo Pozzato and American George Hincapie.
15:39 - Quick Step in charge of the bunch
The Quick Step team at last took the reins in the main bunch after 180 kms, Italian Flilippo Pozzato setting the pace with Tom Boonen in his wheel. Boonen is aiming at becoming only the 9th rider to win the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the same year.
15:36 - Boonen at front of the bunch
Arch-favourite Tom Boonen suddenly appears more frequently at the front of the bunch as the race reaches the long cobbled sector at Hornaing after 178 kilometres.
15:24 - Herrero caught by the pack
Spain's David Herrero has been caught by the main bunch. Six men are in front with a 5:26 lead after 173 kms -- Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker),Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel).
15:20 - Mechanical problems ruin Chavanel chances
France's Sebastien Chavanel, a member of the eight-man breakaway in the lead since kilometre 52, was forced to stop on the side of the road and wait for his Bouygues Telecom team car to change bikes after riding for more than 20 kms with a spare. Saddle problems ruined the Frenchman's chances.
15:04 - Van Petegem calls it quits
Struggling since his crash in the kilometre 130, Belgian Van Petegem, the 2003 winner, has given up. His Davitamon Lotto team-mate Tom Steels also called it quits in the village of Artres after 155 kms.
14:51 - Herrero, Chavanel dropped
France's Sebastien Chavanel, hampered by saddle problems, and Spain's David Herrero have been dropped by the leading group. Six men in the lead.
14:48 - Composition of the leading group
The eight men in the lead since kilometre 52 are: Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), David Herrero (Euskaltel), Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker),Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Sebastien Chavanel (Bouygues Telecom), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel).
 14:46 - The eight lead bunch by 5:45
At kilometre 147, the eight leaders hold a 5:20 edge over two chasers, Glenn D'Hollander (Landbouwkrediet) and France's Sebastien Minard (RAGT Semences) with the main bunch 5:45 adrift. Van Petegem is back in the pack.
14:38 - Van Petegem chases
Van Petegem, in the wheel of his Lotto team-mates Tom Steels and Leon van Bon, chases to return in the favourites group after his crash.
14:32 - Hincapie, Cancellara back in the main bunch
George Hincapie, helped by two team-mates, and Swiss Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo), who was held by the crash in the bunch, made it back in the pack.
14:25 - Hincapie punctures
American George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), one of the race favourites, was trapped in a second group inside the main bunch after a puncture.
14:23 - Davis out of the race
Australian Allan Davis, caught in a crash within the peloton, was forced out of the race and taken to hospital with a suspected elbow injury.
14:20 - Van Petegem held by crash
Belgian Peter van Petegem, the 2003 winner, was held after a masive pile-up in the main bunch in the Vertain cobbled sector (kilometre 130). The Lotto Domo leader, the last rider to have won both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the same year, lost precious time and other favourites, Spain's Juan Antonio Flecha or Tom Steels, were also involved in the crash.
14:12 - Dierckxsens crashes
Former Belgian champion Ludo Dierckxsens crashed on the Escarmain cobbled sector. Fellow Belgian Stijn Devolder was also held in the same crash which involved half a dozen riders.They all made it back on their bikes.
13:58 - Lead now at 7:55
The gap between the eight leaders and the main bunch is at 7:55 as another former winner, France's Frederic Guesdon, crowned in 1997, punctures too.
13:50 - Puncture for Tafi
Italian Andrea Tafi, who will retire after the finish in Roubaix, has been dropped by the main bunch after a puncture. At nearly 39, the 1999 winner hopes to finish on a high note.
13:39 - Leaders on the longest cobbled sector
The eight leaders tackle the third and longest cobbled section in Quievy (3.7 kms). Behind them, the main pack is split in three groups, with 1999 winner Andrea Tafi trapped in the second bunch.
13:34 - Crash in the main bunch
Half a dozen riders crashed inside the main bunch on the Troisvilles cobbled sector. All the riders involved made it back on their bikes.
13:33 - Leaders on second cobbled sector
The eight riders in the front reach the second cobbled sector in Viesly (kilometre 103.8. The cobbles are dry and dusty so far even if clouds get more threatening.
13:29 - Bunch on cobbles as well
The main bunch, comprising all the leading favourites, in turn reached the first cobbled section in Troisvilles 9:40 behind the leaders.
 13:22 - First cobblestones
The leaders reach the first cobbled sector of the race in Troisvilles at kilometre 97.5. The sector is 2.2 kms long. Carlos Barredo has been held by a puncture and forced to change bikes.
13:11 - 42.7 kms in second hour
The average speed in the second hour of the race was 42.7 kph with an overall average speed of 44.2 kph since the start in Compiegne.
13:04 - Lead reaches 12:05
The lead of the eight breakaways reaches 12:05 at kilometre 75 while the weather is getting colder and cloudier.
12:46 - Gap rises to 9:15
The gap rises to 9:15 at kilometre 70 with the first cobbled sector less than 30 kms away.
12:39 - Lead now up to 7:25
The eight now lead the bunch by 7:25 at kilometre 65.
12:25 - Composition of the leading group
The eight men in the lead are: Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), David Herrero (Euskaltel), Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker),Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Sebastien Chavanel (Bouygues Telecom), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel).
12:22 - Eight men in the lead
The four chasing riders have caught the leading four. Eight men in the lead after 52 kms, with a three-minute lead over the bunch, in which defending champion Magnus Backstedt punctured.
12:17 - Four in the lead, four chase
The four leading riders are now chased by another gang of four -- Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), Sebastien Chavanel (Bouygues Telekom), Arnaud Coyot (Cofidis) and Florent Brard (Agritubel). At km 50, they are 35 seconds behind the leaders with the bunch 1:15 behind.
12:11 - 45.5 kms covered in first hour
The average speed in the first hour of the race was 45.5 kph. The four escapees, Lang, Berges, Herrero and Thijs hold a 38-second lead over the peloton.
11:58 - Chasers caught
D'Hollander and Mondory are caught by the bunch while gap with the four breakaways is reduced to 25 seconds at kilometre 36.5
 11:51 - Gap widens
The four take a 25-second lead over two chasing riders -- Loyd Mondory (Ag2R) and Glenn D'Hollander (Landbouwkrediet) -- and 45 seconds over the main pack.
11:45 - Four in the lead
Four riders with a six seconds lead at km 25 after Balciunas was caught : Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Stephane Berges (Agritubel), David Herrero (Euskaltel) and Erwin Thijs (MrBookmaker)
11:43 - Pena gives up
Involved in a crash shortly before the real start, Colombia's Victor Hugo Pena (Phonak) was forced out of the race.
11:35 - Attack by Balciunas
Lithuania's Linas Balciunas (Agritubel) surges at kilometre 19 and takes an eight second lead.
11:28 - Compact bunch
The bunch was compact at kilometre 12. A shortlived breakaway by four riders -- Andrus Aug, Laszlo Bodrogi, Samuele Marzoli and Erki Putsep -- was caught after one kilometre.
11:16 - 191 riders at the start
191 riders took the start. Spain's Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) did not start. Colombia's Victor Hugo Pena (Phonak) crashed shortly before the real start outside Compiegne but was unhurt.
11:02 - Fine weather at the start
The weather was fine with a light breeze at the start in front of the Compiegne castle.
11:01 - Start has been given
The start of the 103rd Paris-Roubaix has been given in the centre of Compiegne. The real start will be given after a 4.1 km ride.
10:56 - Welcome to Paris-Roubaix live
Welcome to Paris-Roubaix live coverage. Check out regularly to find out the latest news from the "Hell of the North".
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