ROUBAIX, Belgium - Tom Boonen won the Paris-Roubaix for fourth time in his career, marking him out as one of the all time greats of the Spring Classics.
Boonen won with a ride from the front and came home one minute and 39 seconds clear of his nearest pursuers. His fourth win equals the record set by Roger De Vlaeminck thirty five years ago.
The Belgium rider was greeted by appreciative crowds throughout the race, especially after he had broken clear of his rivals 53 kilometres from the finish on the Auche-les-Orchies a Bersee section of the pave. With a group of seven riders in pursuit at a 30 second interval it seemed almost certain that he would be caught but instead he actually increased his lead. Fourteen riders then gave chase but Boonen was too strong.
Team Sky's Juan Antonio Flecha looked the most likely rival to Boonen as there were four Sky riders in the chasing group but he did not have the power to catch the leader and ended up finishing fourth. French rider Sebastien Turgot was second, just inching out Alessandro Ballan on the line.
Filippo Pozzato had been expected to be one of the main rivals to Boonen after his second place in last week's Tour of Flanders but the Italian took a fall on the cobbles of Bersee and was forced to abandon with injuries to his calf and knee.
Tom Boonen started the race as 2/1 favourite on Betfair, having drifted out from his position as 13/8 favourite with most firms. Boonen now unsurprisingly tops the world rankings for 2012.
Result of Paris-Roubaix (257.5km)
1. Tom Boonen (Belgium/Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) 5:55:22"
2. Sebastien Turgot (France/Europcar) +1:39"
3. Alessandro Ballan (Italy/BMC Racing)
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain/Team Sky)
5. Niki Terpstra (Netherlands/Omega Pharma-Quick-Step)
6. Lars Boom (Netherlands/Rabobank) +1:43"
7. Matteo Tosatto (Italy/Saxo Bank) +3:31"
8. Mathew Hayman (Australia/Team Sky)
9. Johan Vansummeren (Belgium/Garmin)
10. Maarten Wynants (Belgium/Rabobank)
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