BiciRace.com :: News :: April 2006

News :: April 2006

10 April 2006

Cancellara Wins Big One for CSC

Swiss Cancellara Solos Home, photo: ASO

Fabian Cancellara scored a huge victory for himself and his CSC squadra. The 25 year-old Swiss soloed to Roubaix's Velodrome to win the 104th Paris-Roubaix, and in the process gave his team an important boost after a rough start to the season.

Fabian made use of some excellent CSC tactics that resulted in him and Dane Lars Michaelsen in a 14-man escape after the Arenberg Forest. The Swiss rode smart: keeping relatively covered and also upright over some gnarly sectors. Then, at -19K in sector 5 (Camphin-en-Pévè), Cancellara put in the knock-out blow.

The Swiss classics and crono specialist kept punching until his lead was more than a minute over the likes of Boonen, Hoste and Van Petegem. It was an amazing bit of riding by the newly signed CSC man which enabled him to finish solo in the velodrome. "It's a totally indescribable feeling. I find it hard to put it into words, but it's definitely the greatest moment in my entire career," said Cancellara after 259K on his Cervélo machine.

"It is a dream. A dream come true! I did a number today, I still don't believe it. The whole CSC team really worked for this win. The last kilometers for me were very emotional. I am extremely happy with this finish... and ... [too emotional, can't speak]."

Bravo to Fabian. He is only the second Swiss rider to take victory in the Hell of the North, the first was Henri Suter, 83 years ago.

Boonen Salutes Cancellara

Boonen Manages Cobbled Corner, photo: Quick-Step

Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) was not able to repeat the accomplishment of Bernard Hinault, winning the Paris-Roubaix in his World Champion jersey. Boonen rode a superb race that many would be proud of, even if many of the tifosi considered him the winner before the race left Compiegne and were somewhat disappointed with his second.

"I was not good enough for the course today... To win you need to be super, like I was last Sunday in the Tour of Flanders," said 25 year-old Boonen after finishing second.

Boonen was upset with his condition but happy for his Swiss colleague, "Sure I am upset, and a little bit disappointed, but my finish was better than many others today... Cancellara was the best man, a worthy winner, and he showed very strong over the course... It was deserved victory for him."

Read:
Boonen: Press and Pavé, 8 April
Boonen Prepares for Roubaix, 6 April

Arenberg Ending for Pozzato

Famed sector 17, Trouée d'Arenberg (163.5K), put an end to the chances of Filippo Pozzato in this year's Paris-Roubaix. The Milano-Sanremo winner and his teammate, Nick Nuyens, were too far back after the Forest of Arenberg to help their captain Boonen.

"I got stuck behind, but had good legs," said an exhausted Pippo after finishing 6'50" back in 15th. "I am sorry, today would have been a good occasion for me... It is a shame."

You got stuck in Arenberg? "Yes. The forest was tough, and it was important to be at the front. I am sorry I was not able to be up front with Boonen. It is too bad, but you can't win all the races."

"I think that Alessandro Ballan rode a great race... We are young, and our years will come." Remember that Pippo is only 25 years-old, and his day of victory in the Queen of the Classics will surely arrive.

Strong Roubaix for Ballan

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) rode strong over the French pavé and finished the Paris-Roubaix as the top Italian. The rider from Veneto made the final elite selection, but had no answer to Fabian Cancellara's attack. Ballan was subsequently able to join forces with Flecha and Boonen, and they covered the final kilometers to Roubaix as a trio.

"It was a good sixth place, I am content," said Ballan after finishing behind Boonen in his group's sprint. "I expected Boonen to be better but I am happy with myself, I had a good race. My legs were doing well, and I am very happy. But it is too bad we were caught behind in the finale."

"The train certainly did not help": Ballan's gruppetto were stopped at a train crossing, but they rightly decided not to disobey the barriers. "And I paid without having teammates in the finale. The end was controlled by teams with multiple riders, Discovery and CSC. Maybe I would have finished higher if there were other teammates."

Italian Ballan finished the Paris-Roubaix in sixth spot, but later the officials moved him to third, due to the disqualification of Hoste, Gusev and Van Petegem for passing a closed train crossing.

Hincapie and Steels Crash Out

Hincapie & Boonen in Arenberg Forest, photo: Quick-Step

George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) and Tom Steels (Davitamon-Lotto) ended their 2006 Paris-Roubaix on the pavé. They both were victims of dramatic crashes: Hincapie in sector 10, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Steels in sector 22, Capelle-sur-Ecaillon - Le-Buat.

The American, who was looking like a contender in the final elite group with two of his teammates, went down hard when his steerer tube snapped at -47K. Hincapie threw his hands in the air, without any handlebars to hold, before tumbling in the grass, and seeing yet another chance at Paris-Roubaix pass.

"Hincapie will leave Monday for the United States, only so much is known, and we won't know how long he will be out of competition," said Dirk Demol, Disco Team DS, yesterday. Hincapie, who was diagnosed with a fracture between his collarbone and shoulder, is likely to face an operation today.

Former Belgian Champion, Tom Steels, ended his race with a broken left collarbone. Shortly after entering the Capelle-sur-Ecaillon - Le-Buat sector (126.5K) he touched wheels with Steven De Jongh, which resulted in the end of his Paris-Roubaix and a probable six weeks away from competition.

BiciRace.com hopes to see Hincapie and Steels back racing soon.

8 April News ...