On Sunday, one hour after Peter Sagan had won Paris-Roubaix, Lithuanian rider Evaldas Siskevicius arrived at the Roubaix velodrome to find the gates closed. Despite being well outside the time limit, the organisers opened the gates allowing the Delko Marseille Provence KTM rider to cross the finishing line.

“During the morning team briefing, our Directeur Sportif had motivated us to go to the limit and ride out the race,” Siskevicius told Sporza. “I don’t like to give up either. Neither on the bike, but also in other things in life. I also wished not to give up out of respect for the organization. Paris-Roubaix is a monument that you must honour. When I came to the Vélodrome, the organisation had already started to close the gate, but they were so sympathetic to me anyway. I was able to ride my half-lap on the track.”

Siskevicius came into view of the broom wagon with 40 kilometres remaining and ten kilometres later, the driver of the broom wagon told him that Sagan had won.

“I was very concentrated on my ride,” said Siskevicius. “At 30 kilometres from the line, I understood that the driver of the broom wagon wanted me to stop as soon as possible. But I had already cycled 230 kilometres. There were only 30 were left. At 18 kilometres from the line I was scared when I punctured at Carrefour de l’Arbre. Funnily enough there was a team car on the tow truck just behind the broom wagon. So I could take a wheel from the team car.”

“It was incredible how all people encouraged me. On the cobbled sections, they shouted at me: “Go to the extreme, continue until the Vélodrome.” That motivated me tremendously.”

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