Was Martin Elmiger the real winner of Paris-Roubaix?
Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) finished in 5th place in yesterday's Paris-Roubaix, but seems to have been the top finisher of those who didn't cross the level-crossing when the barriers were coming down. In previous editions of the race, those who crossed level crossings have been disqualified, but this did not happen yesterday, so Elmiger has a valid case for being...
“Bradley will attack at Carrefour de l’Arbre” Tom Boonen’s prediction
Four-time Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Boonen has spoken to Sportwereld about who he sees as favourite for Paris-Roubaix. "For me the big favourite on Sunday is Bradley Wiggins," Boonen said. "An extraordinary rider, as you have in every generation. Experience? He has that. Everyone sees him as a tour rider, but remember that he has ridden Roubaix at least ten times." "Team...
The pavé sectors of Paris-Roubaix and their ratings
Below are the various sectors of cobbles that the riders are going to negotiate in Paris-Roubaix today, their location, length and their rating: 27. Troisvilles (98.5km – 2,200m) +++ 26. Viesly (105km – 1,800m) +++ 25. Quievy (108km – 3,700m) ++++ 24. Saint-Python (112.5km – 1,500m) ++ 23. Vertain (120.5km – 2,300m) +++ 22. Verchain-Maugré (130km – 1,600m) +++ 21. Quérénaing – Maing (133.5km –...
A day on the cobbles of Flanders with the An Post-Chain Reaction team
By Graham Healy The Irish Continental team An Post-Chain Reaction decided to have a team launch with a difference this year, whereby sponsors and press were invited to join the team on a recce of part of the Tour of Flanders route, just a few days before the actual race took place. The cycle turned out to be a great idea...
Looking back at the closest Paris-Roubaix ever
Arguably the closest ever finish in a monument was the 1990 Paris-Roubaix, when a photo finish was needed to determine the winner. An elite group formed that day after the Forest of Arenberg which included five from the Panasonic team. With nearly one hundred kilometres of the race still left, one of that team, the Belgian Eddy Planckaert attacked, and...
Synergy Baku to return to An Post Rás
The Synergy Baku team from Azerbaijan have announced that they will return to the An Post Rás next month. The team boast an impressive record in the race winning two stages in three years and claiming two top five overall finishes. The Baku outfit took stage wins in 2013 with the Russian Kirill Pozdnyakov plus the Kiwi Rico Rogers...
Josh Edmondson to lead An Post-Chain Reaction in the Ardennes
The An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team make the short trip through the Belgian border to Northern France this Friday (10th April) to tackle the Circuit des Ardennes International (2.2). Former Team Sky rider Josh Edmondson (GB) has been charged with leading a six man team that includes Irish duo Conor Dunne and Sean Downey, Lithuania’s Paulius Siskevicius...
Nice short film about Paris-Roubaix
This video from www.bike-tube.com shows the build-up to the start of Paris-Roubaix at the velodrome where the race finishes. It shows the work that's involved from early morning, and the arrival of fans and team buses as the atmosphere builds. The stands and terraces gradually fill where the spectators can watch the action unfold on big screens, culminating in the...
Question marks over Marcel Kittel’s absence from Scheldeprijs
Marcel Kittel, the triple winner of the Scheldeprijs was notable by his absence yesterday from the race, despite not being injured. When asked about it, his Directeur Sportif Rudi Kemna said that "It's up and down with him. "I can't say that it's going well for him, otherwise he would have been here. Sometimes he trains well, but then again...
Watch the last kilometres of Stage 3 of the Tour of the Basque Country
Yesterday's third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country was 170.7km from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Zumarraga with climbs over the Azazeta (cat 2), Iturrieta (cat 1), Urbasa (cat 1), Urkilaga (cat 2), Gabiria (cat 3), Antigua (cat 3, twice), Atagoiti (cat 3) and the Antiguako (cat 2). Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) won the stage in a three man sprint ahead...
Team Announcement: Irish Teams in U23 Nations Cup
Cycling Ireland has named riders for the teams in the upcoming U23 Nations Cup events, which take place in Belgium, France and the Netherlands between 11th April and the 18th April. These events are important ones for the team to ride as they go towards securing places for Ireland at the U23 Road World Championships. Team for Tour of...
Sam Bennett involved in terrible crash in Scheldeprijs (VIDEO)
Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) was amongst those taken down in a massive crash in today's Scheldeprijs. He was subsequently taken to hospital to be assessed. In the final kilometre in Schoten, Andrea Guardini (Astana) appeared to clash with Bennett with both riders falling. Others to come down included Tom Van Asbroeck (LottoNL-Jumbo), Elia Viviani (Sky), Michael Mørkøv (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Shane...