Wrap up of Paris Roubaix 2011

Paris-Roubaix: Best team wins out over strongest rider

Despite being the strongest rider in the race for the second week in succession, Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) found himself unable to overcome the superior numbers of the other teams he was up against. In the race’s closing stages Cancellara was repeatedly frustrated by the unwillingness of Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervélo) and Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing) to join him in the chase; both riders had men up the road though, and had no obligation to do any work at all.

While it doesn’t tell the whole story, the race result shows the differing performances of the rivals’ teams. Including race winner Johan Van Summeren, Garmin-Cervélo had six classified finishers, with five of them in the top 28; BMC Racing also had six finishers, while Rabobank had five.

Other than Cancellara, the only other Leopard Trek rider to finish was Martin Mortensen, back in 94th, 13’59” behind; 2007 winner Stuart O’Grady also crossed the line, but was outside the time limit.

“This is a team; we can win as a team,” Garmin-Cervélo director Jonathan Vaughters told VeloNation at the finish. “You know, as an individual Fabian Cancellara is such an incredible athlete; as an individual. But as a team, and you know when I say team I mean from the soigneurs to the mechanics, to the directors, to the owners, to the sponsors; this team is an incredible team.




Thanks to VeloNation....to read more:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8076/Paris-Roubaix-Best-team-wins-out-over-strongest-rider.aspx#ixzz1JFpz5PZm