Some persistence and luck helped Johan Vansummeren win the 2011 edition of the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic on Sunday. It marks the first time a cyclist for a US-based team — Garmin-Cervelo — has won the epic bike.
Vansummeren survived the falls, punctures and broken chains that plagued others in the peloton as they battled each other and the 27 sections of cobblestone roads spread throughout the 160-mile course. The race is considered one of the toughest in pro cycling.
In the end, the Belgian cyclist attacked a small group that included a hard-charging Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) who finished in second place, 19 seconds behind. Maarten Tjallingii (Rabobank) and Gregory Rast (Radioshack) finished a close 3rd and 4th place.
American George Hincapie (BMC Racing), who has come close to winning the event on several occasions, finished in 42nd place, nearly 5 minutes behind the winner. He suffered a flat tire on a cobblestone section just before entering the Forest of Arenberg, a critical stretch where racers must fight to maintain their position.
Vansummeren's win at Paris-Roubaix isn't a fluke. The 30-year-old cyclist finished 5th there in 2009 and 8th in 2008. This is certainly the highlight of his career. He's quoted at CyclingNews.com:
ahead of Cancellara – he is such a great rider. I had wonderful legs,
it was a great day.”
The Belgian said he was riding in support of teammate Thor Hushovd on Sunday. Vansummeren caught an early breakaway and would have been there if Hushovd showed up. The Norwegian, however, never caught up with the lead group in spite of several attacks.
For US-based Garmin-Cervelo, the victory is probably one of its biggest ever. Founded in 2007, an early success came in 2008 when it put the overall leader's jersey on the shoulders of Christian Vande Velde. The team has celebrated a series of victories since then, many through the efforts of Wenatchee's (WA) sprinter Tyler Farrar.
See race coverage at VeloNews and CyclingNews. Versus televises at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
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