- 2004 Paris-Roubaix
The 2004 (102th) edition of the
Paris-Roubaix cycling classic took place onApril 11 ,2004 . Among the participating favorites were 1996, 2000 and 2002 winnerJohan Museeuw and 2003 winnerPeter Van Petegem . The race was part of the UCI Road World Cup.After passing through famous "Arenberg Forest" sector, 21 riders were ahead of the peloton, including all pre-race favorites.
Jaan Kirsipuu was the first one trying to break away with 60 kilometres to go, eventually winning 30 seconds over the favourites group, followed by an important attack byJohan Museeuw in "Auchy-Lez-Orchies" sector, forcing the pace and selecting the lead group. Kirsipuu and Museeuw were eventually captured, at which timeFrank Hoj andLeon Van Bon also tried to break away, being captured after some kilometers in the lead. With 30 kilometres to goChristophe Mengin andFabio Baldato tried to escape without success but leading to an important move byTom Boonen ,Juan Antonio Flecha andGeorge Hincapie , with the late addition ofLeif Hoste . While they were being captured, 2003 winnerPeter Van Petegem suffered a puncture, losing all his options to win the race.In the famous cobblestone section "Carrefour de l'Arbre" (with 15 kilometres to Roubaix) Museeuw made a series of accelerations which selected the leading group to Museeuw himself,
Magnus Backstedt , Roger Hammond,Tristan Hoffman ,Fabian Cancellara andGeorge Hincape , who lost contact soon afterwards. With 6 kilometres to the finish line,Johan Museeuw suffered a puncture and lost his options for victory. The four riders in front entered the Velodreme with Cancellara leading the group, butMagnus Backstedt won the sprint ahead of Hoffman, Hammond and Cancellara himself. For the first time since 1994, no Belgian rider made it to the final podium.It was the last Paris-Roubaix for
Johan Museeuw , three-times winner of the race. Museeuw andPeter Van Petegem , previous year winner, crossed the line with hands clasped, receiving a roaring ovation in the Velodreme.Results
2004-04-11 : Compiègne-Roubaix, 261 km.:External links
* [http://www.letour.fr/stf/roubaix/2004/us/ Official site]
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