Cycling Reports |
Paris Roubaix – 260 kms By Cian Lynch
The race set out with 25 teams, and a total of 200 riders signing on. As the race gathered momentum, Rudi Aldag jumped away to be joined by early breakaway member Pieri. Behind, Andrea Tafi, winner of this race a couple of years ago, lead the charge behind. Vainsteins, Knaven, Van Petegem and Wauters worked up and over, but Ivanov and Nardello would not contribute – the latter taking advantage of the fact that his team-mate Aldag was up the road. Van Petegem continued the heavy work rate into the section no.5, a 1km section of pave at 235kms into the race. Tafi followed the World Cup leaders wheel, with Ekimov in close attendance. The experience gained over the years of competition in this classic is demonstrated by the age profile of the contenders, all in their early to mid thirties. An attack by Ekimov signaled the beginning of the end for many, as he attempted to cross the 30 gap to the leading duo. With 10 world championships on the track to his record, it took only a couple of kilometres for the veteran to bridge the gap. Behind, Wauters (Rabobank) Van Petegem, Tafi, Vainsteins, Knaven – Nardello and Ivanov on the back. Up ahead, Ekimov joined the leaders, took a mouthful from his bidon, and hit the 1800m pave, section 4, on the front. A big turn by Aldag on the front only served to highlight his weakness, as he dropped off the back of the group when Ekimov went to the front. Pieri simply sat on Ekimov, no mean feat, whilst Aldag had to settle for the chasing bunch. Behind, Van Petegem stormed over the pave, with only Wauters for company, to be joined by Vainsteins. Nardello, now aware that his teammate was in trouble, made a determined effort to get up to the van Petegem led chasing group. The 101st Paris Roubaix, with 26 sections of pave was certainly taking its’ toll. If Ekimov and Pieri were floating across the pave up ahead, van petegem gave his peers another glimpse of his form, as the gauntlet was thrown down. Amid the dry dust,a result of the mild yet favourable conditions, he crossed the gap with considerable ease, riding his former chase companions off his wheel. Ekimov continued his ride at the head of the race, Pieri leaving it to Van Petegem to close the gap. Any chances that Tafi had of taking a third win in this race went up in smoke, as he punctured at this crucial stage, his second of the day. As the leading group containing Van Petegem, Ekimov and Pieri passed through 12 kms to the finish, the sense of cat and mouse tactics might have been justified – Van Petegem, current World Cup leader and winner of the Tour of Flanders last weekend – Pieri, his competition and a talented sprinter and for a bit of spice, the former World Track champion and US Postal veteran – Ekimov. Pieri was obviously tired, having been away for a period with Aldag and chose to sit on the nack of the group. Ekimov continued to ride through to maintain the advantage on the inevitable chasing group, no doubt toying with an attack some way out from the legendary track at Roubaix. Nardello, Wauters and Vainsteins were chasing hard, some 50 seconds in arrears, but tactics spoiled the effort, as Nardello sat on the back of this pack. Their effort was further hampered when Nardello suffered a rear puncture, and as he got going again, was passed by the Taffi led chasing group. Vainsteins was in considerable stress at this stage, his face contorted – a bad case of cramp the cause. Freewheeling to ease the pain, only former Belgian champion Wauters was left to continue to chase, alone. With 5 kilometres to go, the chances of the leaders being caught had come to a halt, barring disaster. Back the road, Museuuws’ chances of a fourth win in this classic went up in smoke, as he punctured yet again. Working well together, the group of Van Petegem, Ekimov and Pieri all took turns riding through, that is until Ekimov launched the inevitable attack with just over 2kms to go. Van Petegem, vigilant and hungry for the win, took little time and with apparent ease, switched onto the wheel of Ekimov. Certainly at this stage, all the odds were stacked in favour of the World Cup leader Van Petegem. Sweeping into the track in Roubaix, Pieri led the group briefly, leaving Van Petegem on the front, dropping to the bottom of the track. Van Petegem positioned Pieri at the front, with dangerman Ekimov behind. Van Petegem wasn’t letting anyone out of his sight, Pieri was kept up against the barriers on the top, and ahead of Van Petegem winding it up, Ekimov dropped down the bank to accelerate towards the line. Van Petegem followed, accelerated and swept by Ekimov with ease. Pieri, who was on Van Petegems’ wheel, followed through to take second, ahead of veteran Ekimov – no doubt satisfied with third place. Wauters took 4th place, just ahead of a gallop won by Taffi for 5th. “I think that Pieri was the fastest on the road. In the last corner, I took Pieri, and taking Ekimov was easy for me” said Van Petegem. “I am very happy with what I have done this week”, confirming unique Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix back to back wins.
Cian Lynch. Asst. D.S., North Kildare CC |
An
early break set the scene for the 101st edition of the Paris Roubaix Classic in
Northern France. Although the break of 9 containing Dario Pieri, the Saeco
classic specialist, had a 3 m inute advantage on the chasing group with 100kms
to go,the race began in earnest with an attack out of the substantial chasing
group by Jaan Kirsipuu. Having established a reasonable advantage after a couple
of kilometres on his own, the Estonian fell victim to a rear wheel puncture,
negating his effort. Within 10kms, the group ahead was reeled in, and as the
race approached section 13 of the pave.