Road

The Hell of the North lived up to its name for Quick Step as three-time winner Tom Boonen crashed out and Tour of Flanders runner-up Sylvain Chavanel could only muster 38th.

Former Paris-Roubaix winner Stuart O'Grady was among a handful of riders who survived the cobbles to cross the line in the velodrome only to have their results erased because they were beyond the time limit.

ROUBAIX, France (VN) ─ Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) went down swinging at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, salvaging an impressive second place that Leopard-Trek manager Brian Nygaard called "heroic" when it seemed much of the peloton was racing against him.

Results for the 2011 Paris-Roubaix

Johan Van Summeren salvaged Garmin-Cervélo's classics season with a brilliant victory at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Jonathan Cantwell wins the 60-lap men’s race at Saturday’s Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, Alabama.

Colavita-Forno d’Asolo dominated the women’s race at Saturday’s Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, Alabama.

Former junior Paris-Roubaix winner Geraint Thomas hopes for big things from the real deal.

Defending champion Fabian Cancellara "has shown the form" to go for the win, "but if he gives me the green light, I'm ready to go," says Stuart O'Grady.

Matthew Goss won't be satisfied with anything less than a top-10 finish in Paris-Roubaix.

The slow hand of justice in Spain seems finally to be moving. Nearly six years after police uncovered the Operación Puerto doping ring, officials are pressing for jail time for the leading protagonists.

ANNISTON, Ala. (VN) — VeloNews.com will present a live video stream of Saturday's Sunny King Criterium, including all amateur and elite categories at the National Racing Calendar event.

Bad blood between Tom Boonen and Sebastian Chavanel is a fabrication of an overly speculative media, Chavanel said Friday. Chavanel, Boonen and their Quick Step director Wilfred Peters all said that they raced the Tour of Flanders with solid tactics, and any talk of bitterness that Boonen helped chase down Chavanel was nonsense.

The 2011 Paris-Roubaix contains 51.5km of cobbles spread out over 27 sectors. The first comes 98km into the race and the final sector is at the entrance to the Roubaix velodrome.

PARIS (AFP) - Garmin-Cervelo's Thor Hushovd said he is ready to step up and do justice to the world champion's rainbow jersey when he bids for a maiden victory in the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic on Sunday.

VeloNews' newest online rider diarist is domestic pro Phil Gaimon of Kenda-Geargrinder. Gaimon already is well known to readers of VeloNews magazine as the author of one of our most popular (and funniest) features: Ask a Pro.

Defending champion says he can’t control the Hell of the North, but Arenberg Forest will be key

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

PARIS, April 8, 2011 (AFP) - Australia's Baden Cooke will saddle up for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday with a chance to showcase his own ambitions in the tough one-day classic.

Daniele Bennati (Leopard-Trek) won for the third time this week with victory in a bunch sprint in the final stage of the Circuit de la Sarthe in France.

When Tour of the Battenkill promoter Dieter Drake and USA Cycling staff traded barbs over rider invites in January, Mike Poe and the Sunny King Criterium were caught in the crossfire.

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"Twice, I took more than a month off from ALL forms of training during the season. Each time, I struggled to remain positive when my first rides back had a heartrate ceiling of 130 bpm and power that never got above 120 watts. "

KORTRIJK, Belgium (VN) — With three days until Paris-Roubaix, and months of preparation complete, the main favorites now are simply waiting with the hope that the stars of training, recovery, form and luck will align for them on Sunday.

Stage 4: Amurrio - Éibar

• 1. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:42:37
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (GER), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Alexandre VINOKOUROV (KAZ), Astana, s.t.
• 4. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (ESP), Team Katusha, s.t.
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (CAN), Garmin-Cervelo, s.t.

Overall Standings

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 17:12:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

EIBAR, Spain (VN) - It looks like it will all come down to Saturday’s time trial at this year’s Vuelta al País Vasco.

Anthony Roux (FDJ) won the fourth stage at the Circuit de la Sarthe and took over the race leader’s jersey at the French race.

Stage

• 1. Anthony ROUX, (FRA) Française des Jeux, at 4:26:33
• 2. Biel KADRI, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at s.t.
• 3. Pierrick FEDRIGO, (FRA) Française des Jeux, at s.t.
• 4. Thomas VOECKLER, (FRA) Europcar, at s.t.
• 5. Nicolas VOGONDY, (FRA) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, at s.t.

GC

• 1. Anthony ROUX, (France) Française des Jeux, at 11:50:58
• 2. Biel KADRI, (France) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 5
• 3. David MILLAR, (Great Britain) Garmin-Cervelo, at 9
• 4. Pierrick FEDRIGO, (France) Française des Jeux, at 12
• 5. Alexandre GENIEZ, (France) Skil-Shimano, at 13

"As a team we ended it in second place overall by one second. Who knew second place would be such a hard pill to swallow?"

Following the news of Taylor Phinney missing his start at Paris-Roubaix this week, BMC Racing offered updates on two of its other injured riders. Brent Bookwalter and Karsten Kroon are each recovering from broken collarbones.

At the ripe age of 25, Mark Cavendish has already amassed a wealth of experience at the world’s biggest races. He’s won Tour stages, Giro stages, Milan-San Remo and a host of one-day events. Yet he’s never done Paris-Roubaix.

Why white tape? Why no gloves? How do I become a team doctor?

Yes, even tech meister Lennard Zinn has fouled up disc brake bleeds. He tells how not to…

Check out Brian Holcombe's author page.

2011 Paris-Roubaix startlist, preliminary

Paris-Roubaix demands more of the machine. Every part of the bike needs to be up to the challenge. Frames, forks, wheels, tires, handlebars, cables, even pedals are all optimized.

Stage 2a: Saint-Mars-la-Jaille - Angers

• 1. Michel KREDER (NED), Garmin-Cervelo, 2:25:19
• 2. Daniele BENNATI (ITA), Leopard-Trek, s.t.
• 3. Anthony RAVARD (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Stéphane BONSERGENT (FRA), Bretagne-Schuller, s.t.
• 5. Kevin LACOMBE (CAN), SpiderTech Powered by Planet Energy, s.t.

Overall Standings, after stage 2a

• 1. Daniele BENNATI , (Italy) Leopard-Trek , 7:16:05
• 2. Samuel DUMOULIN , (France) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, at 0:04
• 3. Thierry HUPOND , (France) Skil-Shimano, at 0:04
• 4. Nacer BOUHANNI , (France) Française des Jeux, at 0:06
• 5. Johan Esteban CHAVES RUBIO , (Colombia) Colombia Es Pasion Coldeportes, at 0:06

Stage 2b (ITT)

• 1. Daniele BENNATI (ITA), Leopard-Trek, 8:13
• 2. David MILLAR (GBR), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06
• 3. David ZABRISKIE (USA), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06
• 4. Anthony ROUX (FRA), Française des Jeux, at 0:07
• 5. Biel KADRI (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, at 0:08

Stage

• 1. Alexandre VINOKOUROV, (KAZ) Astana, at 4:20:38
• 2. Oscar FREIRE GOMEZ, (ESP) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 3. Paul MARTENS, (GER) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 4. Pim LIGTHART, (NED) Vacansoleil-DCM, at 8
• 5. Mikael CHEREL, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 8

GC

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, (Spain) Team Katusha, at 12:30:09
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN, (Germany) Team RadioShack, at 0
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0
• 4. Christopher HORNER, (United States) Team RadioShack, at 1
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL, (Canada) Garmin-Cervelo, at 6

• 1. Mark CAVENDISH (GBR) HTC-Highroad, 4:29:57
• 2. Denis GALIMZYANOV (RUS) Team Katusha, same time
• 3. Yauheni HUTAROVICH (BLR) Française des Jeux, s.t.
• 4. Stefan VAN DIJK (NED), s.t.
• 5. Robbie MCEWEN (AUS) Team RadioShack, s.t.

One of cycling’s monuments, Paris-Roubaix is the grand-daddy of spring classics. With its infamous, rough, cobblestone farm roads, notorious weather and punishing speeds, the race lives up to its moniker l’enfer du Nord or “Hell of the North.” Graham Watson has been photographing the race since the 1980s, and he shares a few of his best shots here.

It’s an accepted reality for young American hopefuls — to succeed in Europe you must first live and race in Europe.

MADRID (AFP) - Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) has won the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, attacking in the final kilometer to win the 180km stage from Villatuerta Zuia to Murgia (180 km).

SCHOTEN, Belgium (AFP) - Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) won Wednesday's Scheldeprijs in a sprint ahead of Russian Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha) and Yauheni Hutarovich (FdJ).

Michel Kreder delivered victory for Garmin-Cervélo in the morning sprint stage at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France on Wednesday.

Scheldeprijs winners, 1907-2011

Vermarc, down an old Belgian farm road

Andrew Talansky has already been impressive through the first few months of his professional career. At his pro debut with Garmin-Cervélo at the Tour Méditeranéen in February, he climbed to fourth up Mont Faron and fourth overall. At Paris-Nice and Critérium International, he finished among the top-10 in both of the respective time trials.

American cyclist Steven Cozza (Team NetApp) is offering a new cycling coloring book that is intended to educate youngsters about the wonders of road racing and raise money for disadvantaged kids.

"I am surrounded by both the very best in the sport and the up and coming “next bests.” Being somewhere in between, I am in a place where I can continue to learn, while I’m also able to share what I have learned. And, I will always be ready to do either."

This week Lennard is devoting his column to a profile of Rich Sawiris and a look at his wheelbuilding techniques.

Team Type 1—Sanofi-Aventis has received a wild card for the 2011 Tour de Suisse, allowing the team to participate in the 75th anniversary tour, the team reported Tuesday.

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski: Post-Pan-American MTB championship report

Paris-Roubaix winners, 1896-2010

Chris Sutton's Team Sky Pinarello and Johnny Clarke's UHC Boardman

KORTRIJK, Belgium (VN) — With Paris-Roubaix looming Sunday in northern France, most of the big classics names and quite a few Americans will be racing Wednesday and Thursday in Belgium at the Scheldeprijs Wednesday and the Grand Prix Pino Cerami Thursday.

Stage 1

• 1. Daniele Bennati, ((ITA)) Leopard Trek
• 2. Samuel Dumoulin, ((FRA)) Cofidis,le Credit En Lig.,
• 3. Nacer Bouhanni, ((FRA)) Fdj
• 4. Pablo Forero Juan, ((COL)) Colombia Es Pasion
• 5. Jure Kocjan, ((SLO)) Team Type1-Sanofi Aventis

Daniele Bennati (Leopard-Trek) claimed his first win on the 2011 season after kicking to victory in the opening stage at the Circuit Cyclist Sarthe in France

Stage

• 1. Vasili Kiryienka, Movistar Team (mov), at 4:06:39
• 2. Andreas KlÖden, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 2
• 3. Andy Schleck, Leopard Trek (leo), at 2
• 4. Chris SÖrensen, Saxo Bank Sungard (sbs), at 2
• 5. Christopher Horner, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 2

GC

• 1. Andreas KlÖden, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 8:09:23
• 2. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Katusha Team (kat), at 0
• 3. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez, Euskaltel-Euskadi (eus), at 0
• 4. Christopher Horner, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 1
• 5. Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin-Cervelo (grm), at 6

Vasili Kiryienka (Movistar) delivered victory in another wild ride during the seven-climb second stage at the Tour of the Basque Country on a very warm and sunny Tuesday.

Jure Kocjan has been knocking at the door of victory all season long for Team Type 1 – sanofi aventis. The 26-year-old Slovenian sprinter has scored two second places and a fourth at the MontePaschi-Eroica race over the gravel roads in Tuscany in the opening months of the season.