106th Paris-Roubaix - 1.HC

France, April 13, 2008

Photography

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) rode a good race.
• Tom Boonen takes the Queen of Classics, in the velodrome in Roubaix.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) is marked by the dust of a dry race.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) celebrates as he crosses the line ahead of his breakaway companions.
• Ballan, Cancellara and Boonen and this ended up to be the reverse podium.
• Fabio Baldato (Lampre) is an Italian who likes the cobbles.
• Pozzato had still plenty of team-mates in the earlier part of the race.
• Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) leads his captain through one of the muddy sections.
• Cancellara in the break royale with the Belgian supporters cheering for 'their' Tom Boonen.
• Pozzato was unlucky to be involved in a crash, just before the Arenberg.
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) rode a strong race and finished in the Hincapie group.
• The clouds were not threatening as the weather was much better than predicted.
• The forest of Arenberg always tells which riders are in and out of contention.
• Ballan leads Boonen and Cancellara.
• The trio did well on the cobbles but Ballan clearly was not enjoying the rough terrain too much.
• One of the typical right hand turns that often proves to be fatal in dry or wet conditions.
• Some riders opted for the side of the road, while others didn't mind the cobbles.
• Pozzato was dropped after a crash then fought back, but eventually had to surrender.
• Fischer stormed ahead in Wallers-Arenberg, but Cancellara had him in his sight.
• It was complete chaos on the course.
• One of the easier sections of the pavé.
• Alessandro Ballan in an earlier part of the race with O'Grady carrying bottles.
• Patrick Calcagni (Barloworld) cobbles along.
• Pozzato's shorts gave testimony to his rough day.
• Alexander Serov (Tinkoff Credit Systems) was part of the main break of the day.
• Quick Step power from left to right with Wouter Weylandt, Tom Boonen and Stijn Devolder.
• Ballan in the dust.
• Boonen is followed by Martyn Maaskant (Slipstream Chipotle - H30)
• It's a relief when the riders see the number crossed out, as it means the end of the cobble section.
• Marco Bandiera (Lampre) seems to cry in pain.
• Sector 2 is the last 'real' sector and even it provides plenty of alternatives.
• The break royale passes the windmill.
• Alexander Serov (Tinkoff Credit Systems) smiles before the start, but didn't know yet that he would be in the break of the day.
• Zong! A Paris-Roubaix without crashes would be like a fish without water.
• Neither of the men up front could make a decisive move before the velodrome.
• Ballan leads as Cancellara makes it from the left to the right side of the road.
• Serov is happy as it stayed dry
• Tom Boonen did it again!
• Ballan can be proud with his ride and happy with third.
• Crashfest
• Baldato finished another classic and this one in a very good tenth place.
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) can be happy with his result.
• When the attacks come thick and fast you better pay attention. Ballan fights his way back to Boonen, Cancellara and Devolder.
• Martijn Maaskant (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) rode to an impressive fourth place.

Images by AFP Photo

• The peloton winds its way through the fields of northern France.
• Anything to avoid the cobbles: riders make use of a footpath for a smoother ride.
• The Belgian fans were out in force as usual.
• No rain, but plenty of dust in the 106th Paris-Roubaix.
• All eyes were on Tom Boonen today, and he did not disappoint.
• Boonen took the race by the scruff of the neck.
• Tom Boonen sweeps through a corner on the pavé.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) had a great ride today.
• Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) goes in pursuit of Tom Boonen.
• Boonen tried to shake Cancellara before the Roubaix velodrome but eventually settled for a sprint.
• Tom Boonen leads Fabian Cancellara and Alessandro Ballan in their winning escape.
• Boonen blasts away from Cancellara and Ballan down the finishing straight.
• An ecstatic Tom Boonen takes the win in the Roubaix velodrome.
• Boonen is mobbed by photographers and journalists after his triumph.
• A second Roubaix cobblestone for Boonen's mantle piece.
• It reads 'Vainqueur de Paris-Roubaix 2008'.
• Two Roubaix victories - this one probably sweeter than the first.
• The 2008 Paris-Roubaix podium: Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC), Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre).
• Cancellara and Boonen share a joke on the podium.
• A dusty but delighted Tom Boonen attends the post-race press conference.
• Boonen is congratulated by runner up Fabian Cancellara.
• Cancellara reflects on his day's efforts.

Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• Alessandro Ballan, Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen enter the Roubaix velodrome with Boonen in perfect position.
• Boonen makes his move!
• Boonen quickly opens up a gap…
• …and there's no looking back from here.
• Boonen rockets to the line to win the 2008 Paris-Roubaix.

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

• Former pro rider Nico Mattan was present in Compiègne. The Belgian told Cyclingnews that he is currently featuring in a dancing program on TV.
• Dirk Demol talked with Cyclingnews about his 'poulain' Stijn Devolder.
• Herman Frison featured on the front page of the organising French sports paper l'Equipe; nevermind the slip of the pen.
• Steffen Wesemann finished second and third in Paris-Roubaix and this is the Swiss' last participation in Hell.
• Johan Vansummeren at the start in Compiègne.
• Former winner Magnus Backstedt was wearing camouflage colours to slip past the press in Compiegne.
• Inventive Matteo Tossato made sure he could lose some sweat through his cap and helmet.
• George Hincapie at the start of Paris-Roubaix 2008. "Nervous? No, I'll do whatever I can to win... yeah ok, maybe a little nervous."
• The press swarmed around former winner Tom Boonen at the start in Compiègne.
• Winner Tom Boonen just crashed into the arms of his brother. One second later some press people crashed as well.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) talks with the press after his third place in Paris-Roubaix
• Martyn Maaskant (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) cruised on towards a fantastic fourth place
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) rides to the podium
• Johan Van Summeren (Silence-Lotto) worked his ass off for his team leader Leif Hoste.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) lifts the trophy cobble in the air
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) shows the second cobble he can take home from Roubaix
• The Topsport Vlaanderen riders gather on the track of Roubaix. They looked like boy scouts. "Next time we are going to win. Win, win win!"
• This man was the first to congratulate Tom Boonen with his win as they crashed into each other's arms; it's Tom's brother.
• Tom Boonen talks with the press after his second victory in Paris-Roubaix

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Johan Vansummeren (Silence-Lotto) in his unmistakable style, zooming across the rough roads.
• Steffen Wesemann on the cobbles he loves so much, but it was his last Paris-Roubaix.
• George Hincapie shadows Juan Antonio Flecha. Both riders suffered from bad luck.

Images by Florian & Susanne Schaaf/cyclingpictures.de

• Where is the rider to this bottle?
• Artists on wheels as the riders are pacing back through the caravan without getting clobbered.
• The start in Compiègne when the riders are fresh and clean.
• The podium with Ballan, Boonen, Cancellara from left to right.
• The tension, the tension...
• A jubilant Tom Boonen wins the 106th edition of Paris-Roubaix.
• The media eagerly awaits the arrival of the riders in the velodrome.
• Tom Boonen is all smiles as he won his second l'enfer du Nord.
• Euskaltel riders are generally speaking more comfortable in the Basque rain than in French hell.
• Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) was unlucky but then again, that is not so uncommon here!
• The Hincapie group enters the velodrome. The US American won the sprint for 9th – leaving his streak of top 10 finishes uninterrupted.
• Hincapie could bank on Team-mate Bernhard Eisel (on the left) to lead him out.

Images by Régis Garnier/www.velofotopro.com

• Magnus Backstedt (Slipstream) at the start looking optimistic
• In the Arenberg forest Boonen had a good position and luck enough not to crash.
• The big cobble seems to make Boonen a bit unsteady on the podium…
• Boonen is interviewed before the start of the race.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) was jubilant after taking his second, and best, Paris-Roubaix
• Franck Rénier (Bouygues Telecom) leads on the shoulder.

Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The "Break Royale" of Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Fabian Cancellara (CSC) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) tackle the Carrefour de l'Arbre secteur.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) leads the chase, but gets no help from Stuart O'Grady (CSC) or a well hidden Stijn Devolder, and will lose fourth place to Martijn Maaskant (Slipstream Chipotle - H3O).
• Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) leads a group of chasers featuring George Hincapie (High Road) as Marcus Ljungqvist (CSC) grits his teeth.
• Steven De Jongh (Quick Step) leads a group with Stefan Wesemann (Collstrop), Roger Hammond (High Road), Christophe Mengin (Française des Jeux) and Nick Nuyens (Cofidis).
• Baden Cooke (Barloworld) is pleased to be racing here again after his year at Unibet, but would rather be nearer the front!
• Aurélien Clerc (Bouyges Telecom) grits his teeth as he rides as smooth a line as possible at the edge of the road.
• 2001 winner Servais Knaven (High Road) leads Martin Elmiger (AG2R-La Mondiale) and Allan Johansen (CSC).
• Kurt-Asle Arvesen (CSC) digs in, but his captain Fabian Cancellara is way up the road.
• Stijn Vandenbergh (AG2R-La Mondiale) just wishes this day was over.
• Pedro Horrillo Munoz (Rabobank) sticks out his tongue at the photographer!
• Kurt Hovelynck (Topsport Vlaanderen) has had a tough day, but just to finish is a great performance in the Hell of the North.
• Poor Pippo! Pozzato (Liquigas) limps to Roubaix helped by team-mate Frederik Willems after his crash just before Arenberg.
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) takes a smoother line on the dirt at the side of the cobbles.
• Frank Hoj (Cofidis) leads the large peloton across the Carrefour de l'Arbre as Wim Vansevenant (Silence-Lotto) takes the smoother line on the dirt.
• Everybody's going home but Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) is determined to finish.

Silence-Lotto Paris-Roubaix press conference

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Images by Stijn Vercaemer/www.cyclingview.be

• Thinking: Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) (c) with team-mate Greg Van Avermaet and Marc Sergeant (r) at the team's Paris-Roubaix press conference.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) at the team's Paris-Roubaix press conference.
• Greg Van Avermaet at the Silence-Lotto's Paris-Roubaix press conference.
• DS Marc Sergeant will guide the Silence-Lotto riders on Sunday.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) with team-mate Greg Van Avermaet (l) and DS Marc Sergeant during the team's Paris-Roubaix press conference.
• Greg Van Avermaet (l) and Leif Hoste meet with the press.

Reconnaissance

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Belgian Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) leads his team-mates on a reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix, there days before the race.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) powers his machine over the pavé as part of a reconnaissance ride of the 2008 Paris-Roubaix.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto), 30, hammers through the Arenberg Forest on a reconnaissance ride.
• 2006 Paris-Roubaix winner Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC), 27, rides the Arenberg Forest three days before the 2008 event.
• Reconnaissance day: Swiss Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) followed on the pavé as he tests the 2008 Paris-Roubaix parcours.
• Rubber meets rough pavé in the famed Trouée d'Arenberg.
• A close up of the Trouée d'Arenberg three days before the 2008 Paris-Roubaix.
• Paris-Roubaix's Trouée d'Arenberg pavé.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• The CSC team has won the last two editions of the race and is eager to make it three.
• The Carrefour de l'Arbre or 'the intersection at the tree', is often the decisive point in Paris-Roubaix.
• Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle used the Carrefour de l'Arbre in 1992 to distance himself from the competition and win his first of two l'enfers du Nord
• Cancellara refuels at the CSC team bus.
• Cancellara is a man to ask questions these days. He will be one of the hot favourites on Sunday.
• Cancellara tells the press how his workout was.
• Cancellara pulled away from his team-mates during the CSC workout. Can he do the same to his competitors on Sunday?
• Scott Sunderland was happy with the workout and is looking forward to hell on Sunday.