Fabian Cancellara wins Paris-Roubaix 2010

I'm sure many thought that the field of star studded riders would surely give Fabian Cancellara a run for his money, at the start of the 108th disgustingly hard 'Queen of the Classics', also known as Paris-Rubaix. And to be honest, it was all looking quite good and even promising for Belgian star Tom Boonen who with 60km to go he started to attack from the peloton in order to try and split the group. These attacks, as impressive as they were, would do nothing to faze the Swiss phoneme who seemingly floated across the gaps with ease. Somewhere between sector 10 and 11 of cobbles Boonen got the message and decided to let someone else do some work while he got a drink from the back of the group. While Cancellara sat comfortably at third wheel. To describe what ensued over the next 50km I find it appropriate to use one of my favorite American proverbs...."The shit hit the fan". Almost as quickly as Boonen had gone to the back Cancellara tore off the front and opened a sizeable gap over the Mons-en-Pévèle section with 50km remaining. The Swiss national champion was quickly joined by Vacansoleil's Björn Leukemans who was quickly dropped from the pace. At this point I thought to be my self "How can one man hold off a chase by 8 of the worlds greatest classic riders for 50km? Surely he'll be caught...." I was wrong. Boonen predictably started to chase as hard as he could. Not only was Cancellara not being caught but he was opening a sizable gap. By the time Cancellara reached Mérignies à Le Prez sector he had opened his gap to 32 seconds. The Kilometers ticked away and the gap grew. By this time the field lost all motivation to chase the Olympic Champion. In the closing Kilometers there were a few desperate attacks by Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha and Norwegian fast man Thor Hushovd. But the trio never seemed to be able to close the gap under 2:30. Cancellara entered the deafening roar of the Roubaix velodrome with a 3:00 gap. After making his way around half the velodrome the returning champion began to celebrate one of the most impressive victories ever in the Paris-Roubaix history. I think cycling legend Sean Kelly summed it up quite well when he said "Cancellara has cohones to go with 50k to go the finish". Over all it was a great race. My only question is “what can’t this guy do?”

Paris-Roubaix 2010 Final:

1	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank	6:35:10
2	Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team	0:02:00
3	Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky Professional Cycling Team
4	Roger Hammond (GBr) Cervelo Test Team	0:03:14
5	Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
6	Björn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team	0:03:20
7	Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha	0:03:46
8	Leif Hoste (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto	0:05:16
9	Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale	0:06:27
10	Hayden Roulston (NZl) Team HTC - Columbia	0:06:59