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Tom Boonen takes his second Paris - Roubaix

posted by id* at 11:05 PM on April 13, 2008

Tom Boonen (Specialized bikes, optics) turned hell into heaven Sunday to storm to an emotional victory in Paris-Roubaix in a dominant, tactically perfect demonstration in cycling's "Hell of the North."

After months of media questions about whether Tornado Tom had lost his magic punch, Boonen was the driving force in the day's decisive action with 35km to go to forge the winning three-man move in the six-hour test of wills across Europe's roughest roads.

Tornado Tom barreled out of the final corner of Roubaix's illustrious velodrome to win cycling's most prestigious cobble-stoned classic for the second time in two years. He beat Fabian Cancellara by three bike lengths with Alessandro Ballan (Specialized optics, helmets) coming through third.

"I live for these classics. People say when I don't win, that I am not in shape or whatever, but these are the most important races of the year for me. Anyone who knows me knows that. I live and train for these races and it all comes down to two days a year," Boonen said. "Today was no different for me. I always have motivation to win these races. That never changes."

Boonen was back at his best after missing out on cycling's most prized chunk of granite the past two seasons. With his dominate win, he claims his second cobblestone trophy in four years to remind everyone who's king of the cobbles.

This year's victory was all the sweeter for Boonen after Belgium's cycling-frenzied media began to wonder if he lost his winning touch in the classics. Despite consistent turns in the classics, Boonen hasn't won a big monument since 2006.

With a smashing performance, Boonen quiets his critics, that he really seemed to care what anyone said anyway.

"These races are more about hard and training than anything else. That's what I stayed focused on. This year, I wanted more quality over quantity. I never doubted I could win again," said Boonen, who burst onto the scene with the Flanders-Roubaix double in 2005 and won Flanders again in 2006. "I think I enjoyed this victory more than the others because I haven't won a big race in a few years. I will always live for these classics. These are my races. Today I showed that to everyone."

Boonen and his Quick Step teammates made the most of the pleasant, spring weather to dominate the field. The infamous Arenberg pave split the peloton but Quick Step was well-represented with five riders, including Boonen and recently crowned Tour of FLanders champ Stijn Devolder.

An early breakaway was snuffed just as the big guns were prepping their artilery for the real fight. The group was down to eight favorites with still 50 kilometers to go when Quick Step decided to send Devolder up the road. Defending champ Stuart O´Grady marked the move, but Boonen counter-attacked just as Silence-Lotto neutralized the promising move.

Hitching a ride were Ballan and Milan-San Remo champ Cancellara. The all-star threesome collaborated to drop their pursuers and carry a winning three-minute lead into the velodrome despite a hapless attack by Cancellara on the Carrefour de lÁrbe cobbles.

Tornado Tom was unstoppable and made easy work of his weary rivals in front a cheering, adoring crowd.

Ballan, winner at Flanders last year, admitted that Boonen was too hot to stop.

"I am content with third place because it was clear to everyone that Boonen was the strongest today in the race," the promising Lampre rider said. "I have take something positive out of this. I was able to stay with the strongest riders today and earn a place on the podium. It gives me confidence to know I have what it takes to come back and win here someday."

Click here to see a pre-race interview with Tom Boonen.

Click here for more information about Boonen's bike from Sunday

categories: News & Announcements , Race Reports , Photos

Comments (10)

06:19 AM on April 14, 2008 UTC T Andrew Hatcher wrote:

I love reading the accounts, but someone needs to let Versus know how exciting these Classics are!

08:07 AM on April 14, 2008 UTC KitC wrote:

Versus has actually done a wonderful job getting the Classics on the air. They showed Milan-San Remo, Paris-Nice, highlights from Tirreno-Adriatoc and the Tour of Flanders. I guess Paris-Roubaix got bumped for Davis Cup coverage, but will be shown on 20 April at 4-6 PM.

I know where you'll find me this Sunday. It's a darn good thing Sundays are an off-day in the training plan!

05:43 AM on April 15, 2008 UTC T Andrew Hatcher wrote:

Your absolutely right, I've seen all of them and had planned my 5-7pm post ride activities. Guess I'm spoiled?

08:48 AM on April 15, 2008 UTC Adam Seidman wrote:

Versus sucks. Its a want a be OLNtv. OLN showed everything and also didn't wait a week to show a classic race like Roubaix. I don't think that Americans would wait a week to watch the superbowl. I guess it comes down to supply and demand and cyclists get the shaft again.