At the end of an eventful race, Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) was allowed to lift the most coveted stone in cycling. You can find our race report on this here. [Link] In addition to this, we will again draw the race in this article with a picture.
#1 Before the race, everyone is the same: the riders registering in Compiégne.
#2 Last year's winner Fabian Cancellara (Trek) was the focus of media interest after his victory at the Tour of Flanders last week.
#3 Scot David Millar retires at the end of this season. His shoe sponsor had this special model ready for him for the race in Roubaix.
#4 The first group of the day formed after just three kilometers. The Belgian Kenny de Haes (Lotto Belisol), the Amberger Andreas Schillinger (NetApp-Endura) and Co. determined the race over 200 kilometers long.
#5 The field initially took it easy.
#6 On the first sections of the pavement, however, the favorite teams increased the number of strokes and the lead of the leaders melted.
#7 Andreas Schillinger (NetApp-Endura) led the leading group through the forest of Arenberg.
#8 Meanwhile, Trek and Omega Pharma-Quickstep set the pace in the field.
#9 With almost sixty kilometers to go, Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) fled and forced the other favorites to chase.
#10 The Norwegian Thor Hushovd (BMC) reacted first, who was able to catch up with the group around Boonen relatively quickly. Other favorites later joined the group.
#11 Fabian Cancellara (Trek) held back for a long time. In the final, however, he followed an attack by Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and thus forced a group that already had victory within reach. The Czech Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) was also represented.
#12 Like a year ago, Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin) was the shadow of Fabian Cancellara. John Degenkolb also made it into the top quintet.
#13 Bradley Wiggins (Sky) led the group around Boonen, Sebastian Langeveldt (Garmin-Sharp) and Niki Terpstra back to the top quintet before the last difficult section of pavement.
#14 Just a few minutes later, Niki Terpstra started his winning solo.
#15 Pure emotion: Niki Terpstra wins the 112th edition of Paris-Roubaix!
#16 Behind him, John Degenkolb wins the sprint for second place.
#17 Niki Terpstra is congratulated by his partner.
#18 Probably the most coveted cobblestone in cycling.