105th Paris-Roubaix - PT

France, April 15, 2007

Photography

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Stuart O'Grady (CSC) wins the 105th Paris-Roubaix
O'Grady has time to celebrate as he rounds the velodrome solo
Stuart O'Grady the first Australian to win Paris-Roubaix
O'Grady shows the determination that allowed him to win
O'Grady concentrates on one of the final cobbled sectors
Crashes were frequent even in the dry conditions
Fabio Baldato (Lampre) rode a solid race

Images by Luc Claessen/www.ctm-images.com

A picture-perfect moment
O'Grady and his cobble
Flecha takes second
Boonen leads his group
O'Grady had tons of time to enjoy the moment
The traditional salute
O'Grady points upwards
Not sure whether to laugh, cry or scream with joy
Stuey shows the exhaustion of 259km
O'Grady grits his teeth
O'Grady making his move on the cobbles
Kevin van Impe (Quickstep) covered in dust
Devolder at the front of a chasing bunch
Leif Hoste (Predictor-Lotto)
Leukemans leads the chasers on the velodrome
O'Grady hoists the cobble trophy
O'Grady gets support from his crew
There's nothing like it the first moments after the biggest win in O'Grady's career

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Putting in the effort like no one else, O'Grady powers to the win
Roberto Petito (Liquigas) was the best placed Italian
Michelsen crashes!
Michelsen (CSC) hit the deck after switching to a bike with deep rims…
Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) with jersey unzipped - unusual for a spring classic!
Yes! O'Grady did it!
Kisses for the winner
O'Grady and family
O'Grady covered in dust from the dry conditions
Chasers come through the Arenberg sector
Franzoi in the Arenberg forest
O'Grady trying to return after flatting in Arenberg
Wesemann on the attack in Arenberg
Lars Michaelsen rides next to Boonen in Arenberg
O'Grady with a look of pure satisfaction
Kiss the cobble! O'Grady puckers up
Flecha, O'Grady and Wesemann on the podium
Ballan heads to sign in
O'Grady leads the escape of more than 30 riders
The bunch kicks up dust
The peloton reaches the first cobbled sector, Troisvilles
Clear blue skies above the peloton
O'Grady spent a lot of time on the front
Predictor-Lotto lead the peloton
Riders try to find a smooth spot to ride
The peloton strung out on the cobbles
Dusty, dry and hot unusual conditions for the Hell of the North
Lars Michaelsen leading the chase for Cancellara
Wesemann leads Magnus Backstedt before the big Swede punctured and was dropped
Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano) brings up the rear
O'Grady alone on the cobblestones
Tom Boonen (Quickstep) looking concentrated
The bunch kicks up dust on the cobbles
O'Grady leads the peloton ahead of Cancellara
Boonen in the chasing bunch behind Burghardt
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) didn't show the form of Flanders
Pozzato (Liquigas) was unlucky in the race
Steffen Wesemann (Wiesenhof) had a great race, and a bit of revenge on his former team
Flecha follows Wesemann in the chase group
Roberto Petito (Liquigas) is interviewed
Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) collapses with exhaustion and disappointment

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews

Filip Meirhaeghe (Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner) before the races starts.
Peter Van Petegem (Quickstep-Innergetic) rolls up to the start.
Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic) ready for Roubaix.
Francisco José Ventoso (Saunier Duval-Prodir) has some injuries taken care of.
Pavé puts the 'hell' in the Hell of the North.
Fans having a good time on a warm Sunday in France.
Roger Hammond (T-Mobile) powers along.
Luke Roberts (Team CSC) helped O'Grady to the win.
The peloton hammers through sector 25.
Photographers ready for O'Grady's arrival.
O'Grady wins on the Roubaix velodrome.
A kiss from Mrs. O'Grady.
O'Grady has left his mark in Paris-Roubaix but also on his wife's forehead.
Scott Sunderland pleased with his rider's win.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) finds his way to the showers.
Roger Hammond (T-Mobile) did another huge day, following on last Sunday's Ronde.
Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile) crashed during the day.
O'Grady celebrates.
Steffen Wesemann (Wiesenhof-Felt) finished third.
CSC takes a victory lap.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) cleaning up after finishing 2nd.
Servais Knaven (T-Mobile) in the showers.
Maarten Den Bakker (Skil-Shimano) looked like he enjoyed his day.
Julian Dean (Crédit Agricole) was part of the early escape but at the end of the day missed the race's time cut.
Rick Flens (Rabobank) cleans up after the race

Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews

Ronde winner Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) signs before the race.
Discovery bike.
Clearance is big on the Discovery Channel front end.
The back suspension on the Discovery Channel bikes.
Fumiyuki Beppu (Discovery Channel) is interviewed before Hell.
GPS unit on Alessandro Cortinovis (Milram) bike.
Steel fork on the Colnago of Alessandro Cortinovis (Milram).
Alessandro Cortinovis (Milram) waits for his Sunday in Hell.
Peter Van Petegem (Quickstep-Innergetic) smiles at the start.
Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) prepares.
Ready for a day in Hell.
Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic) relaxing.
Boonen's bike at the start line.
11 is the number the 2005 winner will use.
Start line of the 105th Paris-Roubaix.
Gent-Wevelgem winner Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile).
Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile) smiles.
Paolo Fornaciari (Lampre-Fondital) eats before the start.
Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) is concentrated.
Boonen checks his bike.
Arkaitz Durán of Saunier Duval.
Charm on the helmet of Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas).
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) is ready.
Leon Van Bon (Rabobank) at the hot start in Compiègne.
Francisco José Ventoso (Saunier Duval-Prodir) rode well in Gent-Wevelgem but was an early abandon in Roubaix.
The sectors are marked on many riders' stems.
Eddy Merckx supplies the bikes for Belgian team Chocolade Jacques.
Special brakes allowing the riders maintain a comfortable hand position.
Mechanics carefully drill through the steam to fit cantilever brakes for extra clearance.

Images by Régis Garnier/www.velofotopro.com

Marcus Burghart (T-Mobile) salutes his fans before the start in Compiegne.
Eventual winner Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC) on the road to victory.
A lot of fans for Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) after his victory in the Tour of Flanders one week ago.
Not a good day for bikes...
Peter Van Petegem (Quick.Step) would be a great domestique on the cobbles for Tom Boonen.
Tom Boonen was looking relaxed before the start.
Tom Boonen wearing number 11 as the leader of Quick.Step.
A huge crowd for the start in Compiègne.
The escapees attack the cobbles.
Local rider Fabien Baquet (Skil-Shimano) tried to escape.
Ralf Grabsch (Team Milram) enters first into Arenberg.
Stéphane Poulhies (Ar2R) leads a small group in Arenberg.
New Zealand champion Julian Dean (Credit Agricole) struggles through Arenberg.
A lot of fans and plenty of chaos in Arenberg.
Tom Boonen exits the Arenberg sector.
Magnus Backstedt and Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas).
Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) had a technical problem in Arenberg.
Hushovd needed some help with his rear wheel.
Laurent Mangel (Ag2R)
Hard times for French champion Florent Brard (Caisse d'Epargne).
Arnaud Labbe (Bouygues Telecom) gets a new bike.
Nicolas Portal (Caisse d'Epargne) searching for the smoothest line.
Stuart O'Grady takes a joyous victory Roubaix.
Juan Antonia Flecha (Rabobank) shows the agony of second place.
It's a tough one to swallow for Flecha.
Steffen Wesemann congratulates O'Grady on his victory.
Frédéric Guesdon (Française des Jeux) looking forward to a shower.
Thor Hushovd gets a coke and a smile after finishing 43rd.
Koen de Kort (Astana) shows off his Roubaix tan.
Paris-Roubaix creates joy and anguish all at the same time.
Stuart O'Grady on the podium.
The mythical cobblestone trophy given to each winner.
The podium (l-r): Flecha (2nd), O'Grady (1st) and Wesemann (3rd).
A special lap for Lars Michaelsen (centre) in his last race.
I need a shower!
The end for this year...

Pre-race reconnaissance - April 13, 2007

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Saunier Duval on the pre-ride
Pozzato concentrates on matters at hand
Some chose the cobbles others chose the walking path
Euskaltel-Euskadi heads in to the Arenberg sector
Tom Boonen shows how it's done
Boonen gets no peace and was hounded by cameras
Boonen and team-mate pre-ride the forest
T-Mobile on the Arenberg sector
T-Mobile pre-rides Arenberg Burghardt towers over his teammates
Lampre's Enrico Franzoi pre-riding the course
The view as the sun sets on Arenberg forest
This is what it looks like to begin falling on the cobbles
Hopefully someone will remember to open the gate to Hell on Sunday
The entrance to the Arenberg forest
A fish-eye view of the Arenberg forest
Euskaltel-Euskadi on the pre-ride
Ballan rides the Arenberg
Ballan enjoys the cobbles
Flanders winner Alessandro Ballan looks peaceful
Ballan looks back at the sector he's just ridden
Filppo Pozzato looks calm before the pre-ride
Cameras follow Boonen as he pre-rides the Arenberg forest
Van Petegem's face shows how he feels about the sector
Ballan rides the cobbles, looking relaxed
Ballan exits the Arenberg to a crowd of journalists
This sign welcomes the riders to hell
Another view of the Arenberg forest
Specators will force riders onto the cobbles
They call them 'baby-heads' for a reason…
A Tinkoff rider in the Arenberg forest
The Arenberg cobbles are horrible as always
Alessandro Ballan in the Arenberg sector
Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) pre-rides the Arenberg forest
Boonen's posture doesn't look like one of confidence on the pre-ride

Pre-race interviews

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Images by Brecht Decaluwé

The Quick.Step team rolls in after their reconnaissance of the cobbles.
Tom Boonen faces the press.
Boonen looking annoyed with another press conference.
Boonen and team manager Wilfried Peeters.
Get him! Get him! Boonen under fire from reporters.

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Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews

Looking ahead to Sunday's Paris-Roubaix
Reflecting on the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Focusing on the action.
Bar Tabac L'Allumette and Boonen's interview on the side.
Steegmans takes over the camera but can he take over as the Quickstep team leader?
Steegmans ponders Sunday's race

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Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews

Tosatto, relaxed and ready for the pavé of Paris-Roubaix.
A warm day in Cysoing - Tosatto explains what the dry temperatures will mean for the Roubaix parcours.
The media around Tosatto's captain, Tom Boonen.

Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

Tosatto's Tour triumph in Macon last year. The Italian is under no illusions about his role as a domestique in Paris-Roubaix.

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Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews

Boonen is mobbed by reporters and fans
Van Petegem steps out

Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews

Peter Van Petegem is looking tanned and ready
Van Petegem avoided the crowds to get some rays

Champions in Hell - Paris-Roubaix winners 1896 - 1950

An archive of the faces that made the Paris-Roubaix tradition. Look back at the original champions of The Hell of the North.

Thanks to Roger Thomas for supplying these photos.

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by

1896: Josef Fischer (Ger) - 1st place
1897: Maurice Garin (Fra) - 1st place
1898: Maurice Garin (Fra) - 1st place
1899: Albert Champion (Fra) - 1st place
1900: Emile Bouhours (Fra) - 1st place
1901: Luc Lesna (Fra) - 1st place
1902: Luc Lesna (Fra) - 1st place
1903: Hippolyte Aucouturier (Fra) - 1st place
1904: Hippolyte Aucouturier (Fra) - 1st place
1905: Louis Trousselier (Fra) - 1st place
1906: Henri Cornet (Fra) - 1st place
1907: Georges Passerieu (Fra) - 1st place
1908: Cyrille Van Hauwaert (Bel) - 1st place
1909: Octave Lapize (Fra) - 1st place
1910: Octave Lapize (Fra) - 1st place
1911: Octave Lapize (Fra) - 1st place
1912: Charles Crupelandt (Fra) - 1st place
1913: François Faber (Lux) - 1st place
1914: Charles Crupelandt (Fra) - 1st place
1919: Henri Pelissier (Fra) - 1st place
1920: Paul Deman (Bel) - 1st place
1921: Henri Pelissier (Fra) - 1st place
1922: Albert Dejonghe (Bel) - 1st place
1923: Henri Suter (Swi) - 1st place
1924: Jules Van Hevel (Bel) - 1st place
1925: Félix Sellier (Bel) - 1st place
1926: Julien Delbecque (Bel) - 1st place
1927: Georges Ronsse (Bel) - 1st place
1928: Andre Leducq (Fra) - 1st place
1929: Charles Meunier (Bel) - 1st place
1930: Julien Vervaecke (Bel) - 1st place
1931: Gaston Rebry (Bel) - 1st place
1932: Romain Gyssels (Bel) - 1st place
1933: Sylvere Maes (Bel) - 1st place
1934: Gaston Rebry (Bel) - 1st place
1935: Gaston Rebry (Bel) - 1st place
1936: Speicher (Fra) - 1st place
1937: Jules Rossi (Ita) - 1st place
1938: Lucien Storme (Bel) - 1st place
1939: Emile Masson Jnr (Bel) - 1st place
1943: Marcel Kint (Bel) - 1st place
1944: Maurice Desimpelaere (Bel) - 1st place
1945: Paul Maye (Fra) - 1st place
1946: Georges Claes (Bel) - 1st place
1947: Georges Claes (Bel) - 1st place
1948: Rick van Steenbergen (Bel) - 1st place
1949: André Mahe (Fra) - was declared joint winner with Serse Coppi
1949: Serse Coppi (Ita) was declared joint winner with André Mahe (Fra)
1950: Fausto Coppi (Ita) - 1st place