Paris-Roubaix *SPOILER*

[Priscilla Parsley]

anyone got English audio link?

 

[ComedyPilot]

Big George has just had a p*ncture, but has got Bossen Hagen to pull him along.

Cervelo with, Hunt and Hammond in there.

Wiggins down!!!!

 

[ComedyPilot]

1. 75km: The main bunch is now around 50 riders and is 1:30 behind the 10 leaders as they head to section 15 from Warlaing to Brillon which is 2.4km long and has a three star rating. Devolder has just had to change his bike but has worked his way through the cars and is back in contact.
2. - - 80km: Cervelo, with five riders in the lead group, were driving the pace but didn't get much help and that allowed the Quick Step duo of Devolder and Sylvain Chavanel plus some more Columbia riders to join them as they hit the 3.7km section 16 from Hornaing to Wandignies-Hamage.
3. - - 85km: A formidable group has formed and they are currently 1:30 behind the ten leaders. All the big favourites seem to be in there including Britain's Roger Hammond and his Cervelo team-mate Jeremy Hunt. Saxo Bank are another team well represented.
4. - -
   
   90km: BIG CRASH ON THE ARENBERG!! Hayden Roulston is among those to go down and that has caused decimation in the main bunch with a whole bunch of riders delayed. Haussler is now setting the tempo at the front with about 20 riders in pursuit and Cervelo are well represented.
5. - -
   
   95km: There is a big pile-up in the run-in to the Arenberg and Tom Leezer (Rabobank) hits the deck quite badly. Aurélien Clerc and Maaskant are also delayed and have to work hard to latch on to the back of the pack in time for the vital section 17 of pave.
6. - - 100km: If you want to watch Arenberg and the final two hours of the race, subscribe to the Eurosport Player. Paste this link into your browser for details - http://video.eurosport.co.uk/eurosport-player/teaser.shtml
7. - - 105km: The Arenberg Forest has become the symbol of Paris-Roubaix and is coming up with 95km to go. The 2400m of cobbles were laid in the time of Napoleon. Until 1998 the entry to the Arenberg pavé was slightly downhill, leading to a sprint for best position but the route was reversed in 1999 to reduce the speed after Johan Museeuw's crash which nearly cost him his leg to gangrene. The bunch will split here and the pace in the main pack has been increased in preparation, the gap of the leaders is now under three minutes.
8. - - 110km: Get the thoughts of Italian rider Filippo Pozzato of Katusha. Paste this link into your browser to watch the interview - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/12042009/58/pozzato-paris-roubaix.html
9. - - 115km: Sections 20 and 19 are in quick succession - Quérénaing to Maing and then Maing to Monchaux-sur-Écaillon covering over 4km.
10. - -
    
    120km: The weather is dry as the leaders cross the 1600m of cobbles from Verchain-Maugré to Quérénaing that is section 21. Offredo is struggling to stay in contact with his fellow 10 escapees who lead the Lotto led peloton by a shade over four minutes.
11. - - 125km: Martijn Masskant tells Eurosport that Tom Boonen is still the man to beat. Paste this link into your browser to watch the interview - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/11042009/58/maaskant-praises-boonen.html
12. - -
    
    130km: AG2R La Mondiale team leader Martin Elmiger has crashed and loses touch with the bunch as they pass section 22 Capelle-sur-Écaillon - Le-Buat (1.7km). The 11 escapees lead by 3:40.
13. - - 135km: Silence-Lotto have no one in the lead group and are leading the main group through section 23 - Vertain à Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon (2.3km).
14. - - 140km: Haussler was in modest mood when discussing his chances in the Paris-Roubaix. Paste this link into your browser to watch the interview - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/11042009/58/haussler-plays-chances.html
15. - - 145km: Quick-Step, Team Columbia and Vacansoleil head the peloton which is 3:55 behind the leaders as they pass through section 25 from Quievy to Saint Python (3.7km) and section 24 through Saint-Python (1.5km).
16. - - 150km: Heinrich Haussler recently spoke to Eurosport about his chances - see what he had to say by clicking here.
17. - - 155km: The lead has blown out to 3:35 after the first two sections of pave, Troisvilles to Inchy (2.2km) and Viesly to Quievy (1.8km). Only 25 more to come. Smukulis is back in the main pack.

 

[ComedyPilot]

70km: George Hincapie has punctured and has some trouble in getting a new wheel. Edvald Boasson Hagen and Bernhard Eisel have dropped back to help him regain contact with the bunch but his cause is not being helped as Saxo Bank drive the pace on section 14 from Tilloy to Sars-et-Rosières. He finally makes it but that effort would have taken its toll.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

It looks like the breakaway will not stay out - the question is whether when the peleton comes back together there will be enough time for another late breakaway or whether it will come down to a sprint...

 

[ComedyPilot]

Tom Boonen giving it big legs on the front, and it's getting quite strung out.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Motorbike into the crowd!!!

 

[mickle]

OW! Bet that motorcycle hurt!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Group Boonen 20 seconds down from the Tete de la Course

 

[ComedyPilot]

- - 65km: Saxo Bank with Fabian Cancellara have really upped the pace as some crosswinds buffet the riders and that has caused splits in the bunch. Our 10 breakaway riders still hold a 1:30 lead going into the 1.4km section 13 from Beuvry-la-forêt to Orchies.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Hunt Hushovd and Hammond looking good?

 

[ComedyPilot]

60km: Boonen has put the hammer down on section 13 and that has decimated the main bunch. But the race action has been overshadowed as a spectator is hit by a motorcycle - that looks an awful incident.

 

[ComedyPilot]

J A Flecha is up there too

 

[ComedyPilot]

Boonen catches lead group

 

[ComedyPilot]

Haussler pushing it along at the front, Chavanel has a pop at the front.