Dutchman Niki Terpstra of Omega Pharma-Quick Step attacked from a select group of 11 riders just six kilometres from the finish of this year’s Paris-Roubaix to claim the biggest win of his career.
John Degenkolb pipped Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss defending champion, in the sprint for second place, the German leading the chasing group over the line 20 seconds after the 29-year-old Terpstra.
Belgian Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin) was fourth ahead of Zdenek Stbar (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale).
Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas was one of two British riders to finish in the top ten, the Welshman finishing in seventh with team-mate Bradley Wiggins crossing the line for ninth.
Dutchman Sebastian Langeveld (Garmin-Sharp) was eighth and a third Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider, the four-time winner Tom Boonen, was tenth after a typically aggressive race.
“It’s the best day of my career,” said Terpstra, winner of the Tour of Qatar and the Dwars door Vlaanderen earlier this season.
“I’ve had some nice results – especially this year – but to take the win in the biggest classic of the year is a dream comes true.” – Eurosport UK
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