Tom Boonen enters Sunday’s 2012 Paris-Roubaix as overwhelming favourite. Join us for live updates and blog of the Paris-Roubaix – the Queen of the Classics – from 5pm, AEST.
Paris-Roubaix is a brutal 258km trek from Compeigne, an hour north of Paris, to the Belgian border in north France. Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) enters the race looking to land a record-equalling fourth win in the ‘Hell of the North’.
Following energy-sapping sectors amounting to a total of 51.5km bone-jarring cobblestone roads, the last men standing (so to speak) will battle it out inside the 400m velodrome in Roubaix in front of vast crowds of passionate onlookers.
A cold and wet forecast means the race could well be muddy and no doubt peppered with crashes and punctures.
Last year’s winner Johan Vansummeren (Garmin-Barracuda) will be one of Boonen’s main rivals, along with Italians Filippo Pozzato (Farnese-Vini) and Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing), both of whom finished either side of the Belgian on the Tour of Flanders podium a fortnight ago.
If Boonen can add to his wins in 2005, 2008 and 2009, the 31-year-old will draw level with compatriot Roger de Vlaeminck’s record tally of four Paris-Roubaix titles. After winning E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders, Boonen is the man to beat on Sunday – especially with arch-cobble-rival Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) sidelined with a broken collarbone.
But competition may also come from BMC sleeping giant Thor Hushovd, who finished third, second and eighth in the last three editions of Roubaix.
The Norwegian and former world champion has not been in the best of form this season since his move to Cadel Evans’s BMC team, but in the lead-up to the race, Hushovd reiterated that Paris-Roubaix was an “obsession” for him, stressing it was “the one race of my dreams, the one I want to win before I call a halt in my career.”
One thing is for certain, if the race comes down to a sprint between a cluster of riders in the famous velodrome at Roubaix, 34-year-old Hushovd is perhaps the only man with a strong enough sprint to compete with Boonen.
Join us as we live blog the Paris-Roubaix with live updates, timings and updates on how competitors are faring in jolted and dusty pain. Leave your comments on the live blog below.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Tremendous victory for Boonen. I saw him open up his gap before heading to bed last night - the chasing riders seemed to have no answer and were a rabble chasing him down over the cobbles. Fantastic to watch.
Felix Lowe
Expert
Thanks for joining me for live comments of Paris-Roubaix. I hope you enjoyed the race and see you next time.
Felix Lowe
Expert
0km: The photo finish shows Ballan and Turgot tied for a dead heat, but at the moment second-place has been awarded to the Frenchman. He rode extremely well today - always attacking. But the headlines will, of course, all be Boonen, who has ridden himself into the history books with a record fourth Roubaix win.
damien
Guest
thanks for the coverage
Felix Lowe
Expert
0km: It's the race for second now between Boom, Flecha and Ballan... One of these guys will not make the podium... but Terpstra and Turgot are there too now! And this is very exciting... and Ballan just holds Turgot for second! That's the podium, with Flecha in fourth and Terpstra fifth.
Felix Lowe
Expert
0km: The bell sounds, Boonen is already saluting the crowd as he completes his last lap. This time is under six hours... astonishing. Here he is, Boonen crosses the line to win Paris-Roubaix in a time of 5:55.19.
Felix Lowe
Expert
1km: Boonen is through the final cobble section and safely onto the concrete. And now he enters the velodrome...
Felix Lowe
Expert
2km: Boonen now has the four fingers up as he approaches the final short cobble section.
Felix Lowe
Expert
3km: Still not a smile yet. Boonen is in time trial position and shaking his head in pain. Ah, now he lightens up a little: he looks at the camera, smiles and puts one finger up. He should really put four up: he's now equaled Roger de Vlaeminck's four wins at Roubaix.
Felix Lowe
Expert
5km: Inside the last five kilometres and Boonen is grimacing a bit. He has 1:30 over the three chasing riders.
Felix Lowe
Expert
6km: Boonen gets through sector two without any problems. Now there's just one small 300m cobbled sector outside Roubaix and then he'll ride into the velodrome, victorious. Will he do a lap of honour? He has 1:32 so definitely time to take it easy.
Felix Lowe
Expert
8km: Boonen is onto the penultimate cobble section of the day: Hem (after 249.5 km – 1,400 m) **.
Felix Lowe
Expert
10km: The gap's getting bigger as Boonen bursts over some speed bumps as he approaches the train track - and crosses without any ado. Unless he flats or crashes, he'll win this - and become the first rider in history to win two Flanders-Roubaix doubles in his career.
Felix Lowe
Expert
13km: Boonen finishes sector four and has 1:14 over the four chasers. Ballan ups the pace now. Terrible luck for Mathieu Ladagnous, who flats and needs a back wheel change. The BigMat rider was on course for the best result of his career until he punctured. He'll now be well off the back of the chasing group.
Felix Lowe
Expert
15km: Ballan, Langenous and Flecha are chasing down Boom. Boonen is still 1:09 ahead as he passes the famous l'Arbre cafe.
Felix Lowe
Expert
16km: Boonen is onto the fourth sector, Le Carrefour de l’Arbre (after 240.5 km – 2,100 m) *****. Half of Flanders seem to be here. He's really going for it. Lars Boom is the man chasing him now.
Felix Lowe
Expert
17km: It's started to rain now... light drizzle. Hayman has a problem off the back. Boonen is a monster - he has 1:22 now over the group.
Brett Wolfe
Guest
Sounds like Boonen is absolutely KILLing it!
Brett Wolfe
Guest
I just found your link, and am very appreciative of the updates! Since ESPN.com doesn;t even have ANY story on it, I'm glad someone showed me your link. Thanks for the updates!
Felix Lowe
Expert
23km: Sky's Boasson Hagen has been dropped by the chasing group... and so had Hayman. It's Ballan and Boom who are now doing the work, but Boonen now has 1:02 and the race is his to lose.