Over the Stones: Paris-Roubaix Round-Up, Full Results

Today marked the 114th edition of the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix. The finale of the Northern Classics before the Ardennes Classics starting in a week’s time, Paris-Roubaix is perhaps the best known of the spring races and draws the most attention, including from cyclocross racers and fans.

Historically, cyclocross racers have done well at Paris-Roubaix. Modern riders Lars Boom (Astana) and Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-QuickStep) have been notable starters and protagonists in recent years. And this year saw Lars van der Haar (Giant Alpecin) start his first Hell of the North today.

But past cyclocross stars featured in Paris-Roubaix too. Cyclocross racers such as Mr. Paris-Roubaix himself, Roger De Vlaminck, who won the race four times, was the amateur Cyclocross World Champion in 1968, the same year his brother Erik took the professional title, and Roger later earned the professional title in 1975, having also been a multi-time Belgian Cyclocross National Champion. Others too like Greg LeMond who raced primarily on the road, also credit cyclocross at least in part for their skills on the bike.

Lars Boom inspects the Paris-Roubaix course. © Mario Vanacker

Technological advances in bikes and gear that have been fairly quickly adopted in cyclocross or gravel riding have also played a role in Paris-Roubaix over the years.

Take for example the Roxshox Paris-Roubaix SL fork and then look towards bikes like the Cannondale Slate. Or simply consider the adoption and proliferation of disc brakes. Or even just the use of cyclocross bikes in Paris-Roubaix, even for dry editions of the race. The crossover in technology between cyclocross and road racing, and Paris-Roubaix in particular, is notable.

No, cyclocross and Paris-Roubaix don’t quite go hand-in-hand. But riders from our favorite discipline have shown a panache for the event and brought changes to the gear riders everywhere use.

Lars van der Haar during his Paris-Roubaix recon. © Mario Vanacker

For this year’s race, our sport’s stars didn’t fare all too well. Stybar played near the race’s front for some time before finishing in a large group 18:30 down and in 110th position. And Boom and van der Haar were both DNFs, their roles not necessarily to be in the mix for the finale. But the race itself was still quite exciting with a surprise winner.

The nerves have kicked in for ParisRoubaix. Luckily my roll is clear, help the team in every way possible. Happy with that roll! #team 😀

— Lars van der Haar (@larsvanderhaar) April 10, 2016

Orica-Green Edge’s Mathew Hayman of Australia took a sprint finish from multi-time Paris-Roubaix winner Belgian Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep). And British rider Ian Stannard (Sky) and Belgium’s Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo) were there for the sprint too, but could only manage 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Your new #ParisRoubaix champion! The unfinished business is finally finished for Mat Hayman, so incredible. #OGErocks A photo posted by ORICA-GreenEDGE (@orica_greenedge) on Apr 10, 2016 at 8:30am PDT

With respect to van der Haar’s first appearance, few expected him to taste success on a first attempt. Cyclocross racer Bernard Hinault didn’t win his first, but did his second in 1981, declaring the race “b@llsh*t” after the fact. But still, the racers come. Today’s winner Hayman had lined up for Paris-Roubaix 15 times before today.

Just participating in Paris-Roubaix is an achievement in itself for many riders. That fact was underlined by van der Haar after today’s race.

I was behind 3 crashes from sector 20 till 18. Then it was over for me. Stopped at second feeding! What an experience!! So cool! #thanks! — Lars van der Haar (@larsvanderhaar) April 10, 2016

We fully expect that we’ll continue to see ‘cross racers line up for this historic monument in the future, animating the event and finding success along the way.

See full results from today’s race below.

2016 Paris Roubaix Full Results