Advertisement

Cancellara seeks new Paris-Roubaix success

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Cancellara seeks new Paris-Roubaix success
Photo: AFP

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara on Sunday sought a record-equalling fourth win in the gruelling Paris-Roubaix cycling classic across the cobbles of northern France.

Advertisement

Cancellara was among 199 riders who started the "Hell of the North" race under grey skies and cool tempertures at Compiegne castle, just north of Paris.

The 33-year-old, who is known on the tour as "Spartacus", is looking to equal the four victories registered by Belgians Roger de Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen.

Cancellara won the race in 2006, 2010 and last year. Boonen, winner in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2012, will be one of his main rivals in the 257 kilometre (160 mile) battle which includes 51.1km (31.7 miles) of bone-jarring cobble stones.

The Swiss rider calls Paris-Roubaix "a war with the cobbles".

Cancellara broke Belgian hearts last weekend when he won the Tour of Flanders for a record-equalling third time.

His Trek team deputy Stijn Devolder withdrew from the Paris-Roubaix because of injuries sustained in the Tour of Flanders. But Cancellara's blistering finishing speed has made him the man to beat.

The race finishes about 3pm at the Roubaix velodrome in northern France.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also