Paris Roubaix 2011

ACHTUNG komplett Englisch

Paris-Roubaix, the Queen of the Classics, lived through an authentic people`s revolution in 2011 as giant sized team worker Johan Van Summeren left the favourites behind in a cloud of dust and the race`s fearsome cobbles.

Where exactly were the opposition, like Belgain champion Tom Boonen? Crashed, punctured - and crashed again. Double Roubaix winner Fabian Cancellara? Outwitted. World Champion Thor Hushovd? Like the rest of the field, out powered, and outclassed. By a total outsider.

All this, on a day when the odds of success could never have been slimmer for the victor. On a day when low cunning and high gambles conspired successfully in the most arduous, life-and-limb threatening event on the calendar.

On a day when one of the most fascinating Classics of the season gave fans worldwide a race - and race result - to talk about for a decade.
Then when Johan Van Summeren raised his cobblestone trophy high in Roubaix veledrome, it was a victory for cycling's working class dreamers everywhere.

Commentary by Phil Liggett & Paul Sherwen