PARIS, April 8, 2011 – Norway’s Thor Hushovd said he is ready to step
up and do justice to the world champion’s rainbow jersey when he bids for a
maiden victory in the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic on Sunday.

Hushovd won arguably the biggest prize of his career to date last September
when he triumphed in the world championships road race in Geelong, Australia.

But even while Down Under the Garmin-Cervelo man, also a two-time winner of
the Tour de France green jersey for the race’s points competition, was
dreaming of Paris-Roubaix.

The 258 km cobbled classic is considered the toughest one-day race in the
world and, while most eyes will be on the rivalry between defending champion
Fabian Cancellara and three-time winner Tom Boonen, Hushovd can’t be
discounted.

A regular finisher in the top ten, his best finish was second place last
year, albeit two minutes behind unstoppable Swiss Cancellara.

The Norwegian said Friday: “For me, Paris-Roubaix is the most beautiful
race in the world. As a sportsman you have many goals, my goal is
Paris-Roubaix.

“To race Paris-Roubaix in the rainbow jersey is a great honor and I will
give everything I have to honor the jersey and my team.

“The competition is strong but so are we. We’re all looking forward to
Sunday.”

Among other experienced campaigners in his team, Hushovd will have the
support of Britain’s Roger Hammond on Sunday.

Hammond said he has struggled with allergies this spring due to the
unseasonably warm weather, but he too is ready to do everything he can to
protect Hushovd over the race’s 27 sectors of cobblestones which, combined,
total just under 52 km on the course.

“I am really looking forward to the weekend. It is my favorite race and I
look forward to it all year round so I will try with everything I have for the
team,” said Hammond.

As well as Hushovd, Cancellara and Boonen, Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha,
Alessandro Ballan and Filippo Pozzato will also likely be in contention for
victory in Roubaix’s famous velodrome, which hosts the finish line.

But after weeks spent testing frames, wheels, tyre pressures and various
other variables, Garmin-Cervelo manager Jonathan Vaughters said his team is
ready to go into battle.

“The team is incredibly motivated for Sunday. We did a course recon
yesterday (Thursday) and everyone seemed to be feeling good,” said the
American.

“No matter what happens, you can bet that Garmin-Cervelo will race their
hearts out. The motivation is there, the heart is there, the work is done. Now
we race.”

Article: AFP