Team Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara crushed everyone in today’s Paris-Roubaix and secured Team Saxo Bank The Double.

The queen of the classics was however invaded by 19 riders after 60 kilometers of foreplay and Team Saxo Bank was represented in the break by Dane, Kasper Klostergaard who also showed the Team Saxo Bank colors in last year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix.

The already violently hard course was made even tougher as a fierce headwind was blowing all the way from Compiegne in France to the velodrome in Roubaix. But the weather conditions did not stop Team Saxo Bank from playing an important role in front of the peloton where Frank Høj, Gustav Larsson and Stuart O’Grady controlled the pace.

At the entrance of the forest in Arenberg, Team Saxo Banks Fabian Cancellara took over the pace of the peloton with the Danish national champion, Matti Breschel on his wheel. The powerful Swiss did not increase the pace but he wanted to take a favorable tactical position before entering the slippery cobbles in the forest.

60 kilometer to the finish line on the velodrome the big favorites, Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Team Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara initiated a battle amongst each other and took turns attacking on the cobble stone sections. And the Swiss national champion gave Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Filippo Pozzato (Katusha), Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) and Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky) an opportunity to practice teamwork as they now were chasing a lonely Team Saxo Bank rider in the lead of the race.

Boonen With Flecha Right On His Wheel

The quartet was soon transformed into eight riders who were chasing the strong Swiss but he simply kept increasing the gap all the way to the Velodrome in Roubaix where he crossed the finish line in solitude and celebrated an unforgettable victory of the Classic of all Classics, Paris-Roubaix after riding solo for 48 kilometers.

Cancellara Putting The Power Down

”I launched an attack in a dead moment of the race where the riders in the group were trying to recover from multiple earlier attacks and when I noticed that no one was able to follow, I kept my head down and the legs going to the finish line. I know it’s a historic victory as I already won Ronde van Vlaanderen and with Paris-Roubaix I took “The Double” which only very few riders have done before me and this title has been my biggest motivation throughout the week. The team did a fantastic job today and we were constantly ahead of the upcoming challenges,” said Fabian Cancellara after his immensely impressive win.

Theo Bos Showing The Face Of A Finisher

The victory is the culmination of a fantastic Spring for Team Saxo Bank with victories in the cobblestone races Dwars door Vlaanderen, E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke, Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix and Round um Köln and stage wins in Tour of Andalusia and Tour of Catalonia. A spring that in its own quiet way responds to the skepticism regarding the future strength of the team that arose in the autumn and winter 2009 when a few riders left the team to seek other pastures.

”Fabian launched his attack at the right time. He is clearly taking advantage of the fact that Boonen (Tom) has spent too much energy which made him vulnerable in terms of counter-attacks from Fabian. Before the race we actually discussed this spot on the course and we knew it would be a crucial one. Fabian demonstrated that with the right focus and determination, you can achieve your goals,” said team owner Bjarne Riis after the epic battle.

George Hincapie “Just Not My Day”

Unfortunately, Fabian Cancellara’s teammate and favorite, Matti Breschel had to abandon the race due to knee pains:

“I am actually a bit worried about it since I have never experienced a pain like this. However, I am so happy for Fabian and for his excellent and historic win,” said Matti Breschel after the race.

Boonen Working A Cobble Section

RESULTS

1. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Saxo Bank 6hr 35min 10sec, 2. Thor Hushovd (NOR) at 2min 00sec, 3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) same time, 4. Roger Hammond (GBR) 3:14, 5. Tom Boonen (BEL) s.t., 6. Bjorn Leukemans (BEL) 3:20, 7. Filippo Pozzato (ITA) 3:46, 8. Leif Hoste (BEL) 5:16, 9. Sebastien Hinault (FRA) 6:27, 10. Hayden Roulston (NZL) 6:59, 11. Gregory Rast (SUI) 7:00, 12. Arnaud Coyot
(FRA) 7:05, 13. Tom Veelers (NED) s.t., 14. Dominic Klemme (GER) s.t., 15.
Maarten Wynants (BEL) s.t., 16. Mikhaylo Khalilov (UKR) s.t., 17. Lloyd Mondory (FRA) s.t., 18. Jeremy Hunt (GBR) s.t., 19. Frederic Guesdon (FRA) s.t., 20. Mathieu Claude (FRA) s.t.

Photos by: CorVs Pro