ROUBAIX, France (Reuters) - Belgium's Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet claimed his first 'Monument' title in the Paris-Roubaix classic, battling through early setbacks and keeping his cool in the velodrome finale to win a five-man sprint on Sunday. BMC rider Van Avermaet leapfrogged Czech Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step Floors) on the final straight in the famed outdoor velodrome in Roubaix after 257km featuring 55km of cobbled sections. Stybar did not work with us in the finale but I felt strong," said Van Avermaet, his face covered in dust and sweat. Van Avermaet accelerated in the much feared Carrefour de l'Arbre cobbled sector, 14.5km from the finish line, to skim the leading pack down to three. Stybar launched the sprint a tad too early, allowing Van Avermaet, who finished last weekend's Tour of Flanders in second position, to win with seeming ease.

Source: The Star April 09, 2017 16:18 UTC