cycling: 115. Paris-Roubaix: Greg Van Avermaet wins Hell of the North

Cycling: Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) has won the one-day classic Paris-Roubaix for the first time in his career. The Olympic champion benefited greatly from the help of his Italian colleague Daniel Oss. Second was Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors) ahead of Sebastian Langeveld (Cannondale-Drapac). Tom Boonen (Quick-Step Floors) missed the decisive attack in his last race, as did John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo). Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) struggled with technical problems. André Greipel was seventh as the best German.

Good weather – tough initial phase

At today's 115th edition of Paris-Roubaix, the drivers had to cover a total of 257 kilometers. As if the distance wasn't challenging enough, there were no fewer than 55 kilometers of cobblestones in 29 sections. At least the weather played along: The sun was shining and the tailwind even made sure that the start was postponed to 11:10 a.m. As expected, there were numerous attacks right from the start. However, a group could not form. Only after around 100 kilometers did a small group, Yannick Martinez (Delko-Marseille Provence), Jelle Wallays (Lotto Soudal) and Mickael Delage (FDJ) pull away for the first time. The well-known Stijn Vandenbergh (Ag2r) was able to catch up with them a little later. However, the gap was always kept under a minute. On the pavé section of Wald von Arenberg, Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie) caught up with Wallays while the rest of the group was conceded.

Peter Sagan tries it early – Terpstra out

In the forest of Arenberg there is a first selection almost every year. The battle of the favorites often begins around 100 kilometers before the finish line. Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors) had completely different concerns. Tom Boonen's important helper had to give up the race due to a fall. Also held up were Oliver Naesen (Ag2r), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin), who were already fighting to catch up before the Arenberg forest. Due to the high speed, the field was blown up into several parts. Trek-Segafredo ensured high speed. This even distanced Tom Boonen for a short time. Bora-hansgrohe saw an opportunity and attacked with Peter Sagan and Maciej Bodnar. Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) and Daniel Oss (BMC) clamped onto the rear wheel. After a defect by Sagan, Degenkolb and Van Avermaet's helpers suddenly found themselves alone at the front. Behind them, the remaining favorites were united in a group.

Daniel Oss works for Greg Van Avermaet – Peter Sagan is unlucky again

After Peter Sagan attacked Mons-en-Pévèle in the 5-star section, the gap was closed again. Daniel Oss tried again straight away. The Italian stood out as a soloist. With around 25 kilometers to go, his teammate Greg Van Avermaet, Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors), Gianni Moscon (Sky), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Jürgen Roelandts (Lotto Soudal) and Sebastian Langeveld (Cannondale-Drapac) caught up ). Peter Sagan, who again had technical problems at the decisive moment, was no longer there. Tom Boonen and John Degenkolb also missed the post. Meanwhile, 15 kilometers from the finish, Van Avermaet, Langeveld and Stybar proved to be the strongest. The trio pulled away and should decide the victory among themselves. Behind them, the trailed riders are fighting to catch up again, with Boonen, Sagan and Degenkolb already more than half a minute behind.

Zdenek Stybar refuses to cooperate and is defeated in the sprint

In the last few kilometers, Stybar drew the displeasure of the spectators. The Czech consistently refused to cooperate. Presumably he pointed out that his captain Tom Boonen is in a group behind him. However, since this no longer had any realistic chances of a merger, this seemed to be just an excuse. Langeveld and Van Avermaet shared the leadership role. As the trio turned into the Roubaix Vélodrome, they began to tactic. Nobody wanted to start the sprint. As a result, even the two pros Moscon and Stuyven, who had already been left behind, were able to catch up again. However, the forces were lacking to be able to intervene decisively in the sprint. Zdenek Stybar finally came out of cover and started sprinting. Van Avermaet sat on his rear wheel and showed his superiority. With a new record hourly average, Van Avermaet triumphs in Roubaix!

Result of the 115th edition of Paris-Roubaix