The first mountain top finish of this year's Giro d'Italia would go to Italian, Paolo Tiralongo of the Astana Pro Team. Locked in an uphill duel with countryman, Michele Scarponi (Lampre - ISD), during the closing kilometers of Stage 6 to Rocca di Cambio, Tiralongo patiently bided his time before jettisoning past Scarponi for the win.

Frank Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) rounded out the day's podium in third; finishing a mere three seconds behind Tiralongo.

In the race for the maglia rosa, Garmin-Barracuda's Ryder Hesjedal took over the top place on the General Classification as Adriano Malori (Lampre - ISD) faltered on the day's final climb. Hesjedal, who finished in 5th on the stage, became the first Canadian in the long history of the Giro d'Italia to wear the pink leader's jersey.

"I didn't want to let this chance escape me and I have to thank all my team, especially (Christian) Vandevelde, for the incredible dream they are letting me experience," Hesjedal said. "I'm not here to win the Giro, my aim is to wear the pink jersey for as long as possible."

Results - Stage 7 - Recanati - Rocca di Cambio 202km
1. Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro Team - 5:51:03
2. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
3. Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:03

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda - 26:16:53
2. Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro Team - 0:00:15
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team - 0:00:17
4. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:21
5. Peter Stetina (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:26
6. Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha Team
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team - 0:00:35
8. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:00:40
9. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:00:45
10. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quickstep - 0:00:46

Jersey Leaders After Stage 7
maglia rosa - Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda
maglia rosso passione - Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
maglia azzurra - Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
maglia bianca - Peter Stetina (USA) Garmin - Barracuda

Next: Stage 8: Sulmona - Lago Laceno 229km

Photo: Associated Press/Gian Mattia D'Alberto

Miguel Angel Rubiano (Androni Giocattoli) fired the opening salvo of a Giro d'Italia that features a great many uphill kilometers to come. On a day that saw the peloton take on the first significant climbs of the 95th edition of the race, it was the 27-year old Columbian who proved most adept to handle the change in altitude.

With around 45 kilometers to go, Rubiano took flight from his breakaway companions and he was never heard from again. He would cross the line over a minute up on the next closest competitor, Italian Adriano Malori (Lampre - ISD), who gladly traded the stage win for the maglia rosa. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Michal Golas rounded out the day's podium.

Involved in the early break, Golas and 14 other riders built up a 9 minute lead. Several riders dropped out the lead group, leaving 5 riders to battle it out for the stage win. Golas ended 3rd in the stage and is now 2nd in the overall rankings.

"The team have rode really good today," Sports Director Davide Bramati said. "The riders understood this morning that it was a stage where it was possible to fight for the win and for the pink jersey. We went into the race motivated and Golas chose the right breakaway. Michal did his best today. We knew that we should have to attack Malori to take the jersey, but everybody was at the limit in the last kilometers. It was a really hard stage, it was really hot and the riders used a 28 gear. In general the team was really strong. Cataldo had a flat tire at about 50 km to go but Vermote and Maes gave their best to bring him in the peloton. Now we are second in the GC and second in the special classification for the white jersey. We will try again in the next stages."

"The breakaway began after only 10 kilometers," Golas said. "This morning in the technical meeting we decided to attack immediately. The parcour was really really hard and in the front group, we lost some guys along the road. At the end there were only five of us. I knew that in the final it would have been a fight with Malori for the Pink Jersey. I tried to pull as much as I could. I tried to drop him but we were at the same level, there were no big difference between us. At 15km to go I had also a flat tire and I had to change the bike and chase the guys in front of me. I couldn’t do more then that, really. After the race I was really disappointed. Now I’ve realized that I did a great race. I was so close to the pink jersey that I don’t want to give up. Tomorrow I will do my best to get another good result for me and for the team.”

Results - Stage 6 - Urbino - Porto Sant'Elpidio 207km
1. Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli - 5:38:30
2. Adriano Malori (Ita) Lampre - ISD - 0:01:10
3. Michal Golas (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Adriano Malori (Ita) Lampre - ISD - 20:25:28
2. Michal Golas (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep - 0:00:15
3. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:17
4. Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli - 0:00:30
5. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:32
6. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team - 0:00:36
7. Peter Stetina (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:37
8. Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha Team - 0:00:39
9. Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana Pro Team
10. Luke Roberts (Aus) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:41

Jersey Leaders After Stage 6
maglia rosa - Adriano Malori (Ita) Lampre - ISD
maglia rosso passione - Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
maglia azzurra - Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
maglia bianca - Adriano Malori (Ita) Lampre - ISD

Next: Stage 7 - Recanati - Rocca di Cambio 202km

Photo: Associated Press/Daniele Badolato (top); OPQS/Tim de Waele (bottom).

The Boy Racer, Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling), once again proved that he is the man of the sprints as he romped over his competition in the Stage 5 finale.

Showing no ill effects from his brutal crash three days ago, Cavendish easily took the bunch sprint in front of Australian Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) and Italian Daniele Bennati (RadioShack-Nissan).

Dressed in his World Championship stripes, the Manxman was joined on the podium by his baby daughter Delilah. By virtue of is win, Cavendish raised his career Giro d'Italia tally to nine.

Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin - Barracuda) retained the overall race lead, finishing safely in the main peloton. With his second place finish, Goss proved to be the biggest climber on the day as he shot up the rankings in fourth place, just 13 seconds off the race lead.

Results - Stage 5 - Modena - Fano 199km
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling - 4:43:15
2. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) RadioShack-Nissan

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda - 14:45:13
2. Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:05
3. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:11
4. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team - 0:00:13
5. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:14
6. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:16
7. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:19
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:26
9. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team - 0:00:30
10. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha Team

Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
maglia rosa - Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda
maglia rosso passione - Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
maglia azzurra - Alfredo Balloni (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
maglia bianca - Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda

Next: Stage 6 - Urbino - Porto Sant'Elpidio 207km
The peloton sees the first climbs of any significance before heading into the stratosphere the rest of the way.

Photo: Associated Press/Fabio Ferrari

International Women's Cycling Event to Speed Through Bakersfield on 18.4-Mile Course

Los Angeles, CA – The second annual Amgen Tour of California Women's Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM, is set to take place in Bakersfield during Stage 5 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California on Thursday, May 17. The Amgen Tour of California Women's Time Trial Race will use the same course as Stage 5 of the men’s individual time trial in Bakersfield. The women’s event will be an invitation-only competition featuring the leading female athletes in the world of cycling, all vying for a piece of the $10,000 prize pool.

The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race will begin at 11:10 a.m. PDT on Thursday, May 17, with the women leaving at one-minute intervals. The men’s competition will follow beginning at 1 p.m. PDT. The women and men will navigate the same 18.4-mile course.

“AEG has the reputation of being staunch advocates and supporters of women’s cycling and once again including the women’s time trial as part of the Amgen Tour of California is further evidence of our commitment,” said Kristin Bachochin, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of AEG Sports. “The dedication and spirit of the incredible athletes from around the world who will compete in Bakersfield in the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race should not only be commended but looked upon as examples for young women today embarking on athletic careers.”

This year’s competition race will have an exciting start as cyclists launch onto an immediate descent to Alfred Harrel Highway. From there, it will be a straight—but not exactly flat —route to the turnaround point at Lake Ming. The route around Bakersfield is full of 100-foot rollers, and as the riders approach the finish, they will be able to spot it from atop a 300-foot bluff. The cyclists will, however, need to save some energy for the China Grade, which presents an eight percent climb to the top and then a hard left, and it still won’t be over yet. They will face a slightly uphill, .44-mile run to the finish.

“It’s an honor to be one of ten athletes selected to compete in the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race,” said Kristin Armstrong, Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race defending champion. “I’d like to thank AEG for their efforts and hard work on this event. Getting this race included in the Amgen Tour of California is such a wonderful opportunity to showcase women’s cycling, and to be able to do it on a stage where the whole world will be watching is fantastic!”

The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race will be featured on the May 17 NBC Sports Network broadcast of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California. The world’s greatest women’s time trialists have been invited to compete, including: Robin Farina, current 2011 Elite Road Race National Champion; Alison Powers, the 2008 National Time Trial champion; Kristin Armstrong, defending champion and 2008 Olympic Women’s Time Trial Gold Medalist; Emilia Fahlin, current National Time Trial Champion of Sweden; Tayler Wiles, the reigning champion of the 2011 U.S.A. U23 National Time Trial Championship; and first-year pro, Jade Wilcoxson, 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix best amateur jersey.

“I applaud AEG for continuing to support a women's race at the Amgen Tour of California,” commented Nicola Cranmer, General Manager, Exergy TWENTY12. “For time trial specialists, this event has now become an important part of the racing schedule. For me, as team manager, it is a critical event because of the media coverage, not to mention it’s a tremendous opportunity to showcase our athletes and partners.”

The current race roster is as follows:

1. Alison Tetrick (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
2. Tayler Wiles (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
3. Kristin Armstrong (Exergy TWENTY12), USA
4. Emilia Fahlin (Team Specialized-Lululemon), SWE
5. Loren Rowney (Team Specialized-Lululemon), AUS
6. Bridie O'Donnell (Vanderkitten-Focus), AUS
7. Janel Holcomb (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), USA
8. Jade Wilcoxson (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), USA
9. Alison Powers (NOW and NOVARTIS for MS), USA
10. Robin Farina (NOW and NOVARTIS for MS), USA

"It's great that the Amgen Tour of California is committed to supporting women's racing again in 2012,” remarked Kristy Scrymgeour, Team Owner and General Manager of Specialized-Lululemon. “We're looking forward to bringing our riders to compete on a world stage and in front of the great crowds that California always provides."

“The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Ride has quickly evolved into being a central component of the Amgen Tour of California,” added Alison Powers, member of the 2012 NOW and Novartis for MS team. “The world of female cycling might finally receive the attention it deserves!”

The 2012 Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Ride is officially sponsored by SRAM, a long-standing, established supporter of women’s cycling.

“In 2011, SRAM jumped at the chance to support the Amgen Tour of California’s Women's invitational Time Trial,” said Alex Wassman, SRAM US Road Sponsorship Manager. “With the London Olympics just around the corner, we are thrilled to again help construct this unique stage where the fastest and most accomplished women in the sport will showcase their world-class speed and professionalism.”

Photo: © Ed Rubinstein

The Individual Time Trial has long been known as the "Race of Truth;" unveiling the true mettle of a rider. Its group counterpart, the Team Time Trial, however, is more akin to a hyper-kinetic game of musical chairs; going as fast as you can, holding on for as long as you can, and hoping that you do not get left without a chair. And unfortunately, for a rider such as Alex Rasmussen (Garmin-Barracuda), it can be an awfully cruel game.

Nestled in third place overall at the beginning of the day, Rasmussen looked to pull on the pink leaders jersey if his team held their form as the favorites. As expected Garmin-Barracuda set a blazing pace, but it was one that ultimately proved too fast for the Dane, who like the heroic victim waved for his teammates to amble forward without him. The team wound up setting the fastest time to take the event, but it was Lithuanians rather than the Danes that ended up celebrating the most as Garmin-Barracuda teammate Ramunas Navardauskas took over the General Classification lead.

But as seemingly tragic as Rasmussen's day was, it paled in comparison to Taylor Phinney's. Donning the maglia rosa for his fourth straight day, the young American on BMC Racing narrowly avoided touching the pavement for the third day in a row. Sliding wide on a turn, Phinney managed to stay upright but as he rolled into the adjoining grassy embankment his hopes of retaining the jersey for another day rolled away as well.

Results - Stage 4 - Verona (TTT) 32.2km
1. Garmin-Barracuda - 0:37:04
2. Katusha Team - 0:00:05
3. Astana Pro Team - 0:00:22
4. Team Saxo Bank
5. Omega Pharma-Quickstep - 0:00:24
6. Orica-GreenEdge - 0:00:25
7. Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:00:26
8. RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:28
9. Sky Procycling - 0:00:30
10. BMC Racing Team - 0:00:31

General Classification After Stage 4
1. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda - 10:01:53
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:10
3. Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - Barracuda
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:11
5. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:13
6. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:19
7. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:21
8. Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:25
9. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:26
10. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team - 0:00:30

Jersey Leaders After Stage 4
maglia rosa - Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda
maglia rosso passione - Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
maglia azzurra - Alfredo Balloni (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
maglia bianca - Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda

Next: Stage 5 - Modena - Fano 199km
After the all out effort of the team time trial, the peloton will definitely defer back to the sprinters on Stage 5.

Photo: Associated Press/Gian Mattia d'Alberto

Matthew Goss (Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team) provided the Australian based up-start its first Grand Tour victory by taking the crash marred Stage 3 in Horsens in front of Argentine sprinter, Juan Jose Haedo (Team Saxo Bank) and American Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda).

"It's great to win here in a pure bunch sprint," Goss told Cyclingnews. "I'm very happy for the team. There were a lot corners in the finale, that always strings the bunch out but I had a great team."

The win was Goss' second in the Giro d'Italia, with his other victory coming on Stage 9 in 2010.

On a day that paid tribute to the Wouter Weylandt, who died after crashing during Stage 3 of last year's race, the finale was unfortunately marred by a fairly brutal crash that saw Stage 2 victor, Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling) and race leader Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) involved in the fray as riders jockeyed for position. The crash was Phinney's second in as many days.

Both riders were able finish the stage, and despite crossing the line over five minutes behind Goss, Phinney retained the race lead and his hold on the maglia rosa.

Results - Stage 3 (Horsens 190km)
1. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team - 4:20:53
2. Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Barracuda

General Classification After Stage 3
1. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team - 9:24:31
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:09
3. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:13
4. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:15
5. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:18
6. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team - 0:00:22
7. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team - 0:00:23
8. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
9. Marco Pinotti (Ita) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:24
10. Jesse Sergent (NZl) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:26

Jersey Leaders After Stage 3
maglia rosa - Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team
maglia rosso passione - Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
maglia azzurra - Alfredo Balloni (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
maglia bianca - Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team

Next: Rest Day 1. Stage 4 Verona (TTT) 32.2km - May 9th
As majestic in it synchronicity as it is cruel when it all falls apart, the peloton takes full flight in the Team Time Trial in fair Verona.

Photo: Associated Press

When it comes to Grand Tours and flat stages, the proposition of Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling) claiming a victory often comes down to a matter of "when" and not "if" he will sprint past his rivals.

In the finale of the 206km Stage 2 in Herning, Cavendish and Sky Procycling left no doubts as the Manxman raised both arms in victory ahead of former teammate Matthew Goss (Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team) and FDJ-Big Mat's Geoffrey Soupe.

Results - Stage 2 (Herning 206km)
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling - 4:53:12
2. Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
3. Geoffrey Soupe (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat

Young American Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) defended the maglia rosa in spite of a few harrowing events that saw him hit the pavement and drop a chain in the early kilometers of the stage.

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team - 5:03:38
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:09
3. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:13
4. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:15
5. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team - 0:00:22
6. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda
7. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team - 0:00:23
8. Marco Pinotti (Ita) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:24
9. Jesse Sergent (NZl) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:26
10. Nelson Oliveira (Por) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:27

Jersey Leaders After Stage 2
maglia rosa - Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team
maglia rosso passione - Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky Procycling
maglia azzurra - Alfredo Balloni (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
maglia bianca - Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team

Next: Stage 3 (Horsens 190km)
Another stage, another day for the sprinters.

Photo: Luk Benies/AFP/GettyImages

On Saturday, Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) would lay claim to the first maglia rosa of the 2012 edition of the Giro d'Italia. The young American completed the 8.6 kilometer Individual Time Trial route in 10 minutes and 26 seconds.

"It's a dream to pull on the pink jersey," said Phinney. "I've achieved one of my objectives of the season, I've been thinking of this time trial for months. Everyone was saying I was the favorite but it's not easy to go out there and do it.

The last American to wear the pink leader's jersey was Christian Vande Velde, who currently races for Garmin-Barracuda, back in 2008.

The equally impressive Geraint Thomas (Sky Procycling), and Alex Rasmussen (Garmin - Barracuda) rounded out the day's podium in second and third, respectively.

Results - Stage 1 Herning (ITT) 8.7km
1. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team - 0:10:26
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:09
3. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:13

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team - 0:10:26
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling - 0:00:09
3. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin - Barracuda - 0:00:13
4. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:15
5. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team - 0:00:22
6. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin - Barracuda
7. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team - 0:00:23
8. Marco Pinotti (Ita) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:24
9. Jesse Sergent (NZl) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:26
10. Nelson Oliveira (Por) RadioShack-Nissan - 0:00:27

Photo: Henning Bagger/AFP/GettyImages

Tom Boonen won his fourth Paris-Roubaix (2005, 2008, 2009, 2012) on Sunday, after riding solo for 50km out of 257.5km. He also earned the second "double" of his career. Boonen is the only rider in men's road racing history to win Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix in the same season twice. Boonen is also the only rider to have won all four of the "cobbled" races —E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix — in one season.

"I was not really thinking about these records or these victories," Boonen said. "I was really working hard to be on my top level these two or three weeks. I was already happy to have reached this level and I didn't have any big crashes this year so far. When I started winning Harelbeke I knew I would be good for others. When I look back on these two or three weeks, it's been amazing. It's my second double and I realize now I am the only one who did this 'double' two times. I realize now I am maybe be the best guy to ever ride on these cobblestones, on these roads. It's special, but think I need some time. My career isnt over yet."

Boonen managed to hold off a powerful chasing group of Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing Team), Sebastien Turgot (Europcar), Lars Boom (Rabobank), and Mathieu Ladagnous (FDJ-Big Mat), who decided to commit to a chase in the final 24km after a larger chase group failed to organize.

"I was not really thinking about the winning race or doing a record," Boonen said. "I was just fighting myself. I was taking it step by step, cobblestone by cobblestone, kilometer by kilometer. I think if you start thinking about the 60 or 57 km, which is when I left, it's nearly impossible. It is all in your mind. I was really thinking about my lead. With the gap at 30 seconds I was trying to take it second by second. I was trying not to push it right away to one minute, tried not to force myself. It was the best way to save my strength and put all my strength into the 50km in front of me. I think it was the best option."

Boonen's teammate Niki Terpstra, who attacked with Boonen at 56km but could sustain the effort, was also in the chase group with Ballan and four others.

"I was not planning on this," Boonen said of his solo win. "But when I arrived in front with Niki and he dropped off, I was thinking 'OK, I already have Flanders. Why not try to win my fourth Paris-Roubaix in a very special way?' I started battling myself. The wind was not really helpful, but with 30 seconds I thought 'OK, it's also hard for everyone else'." I was only afraid there was a fresh rider coming, like Pippo Pozzato or Ballan."

Boom tried to chase solo in the final 20km, reducing the gap from 1'14" to 1'09" with 14.9km to go. However, Boom couldn't sustain the chase and was reeled in by the Ballan group. Ladagnous suffered a puncture and dropped from the chase. Boonen expanded his gap to more than 1'30" in the final 10km, and in the last kilometers, Boonen gave the hand signal for the number four, to signify his four Paris-Roubaix wins. Boonen said he had only one thought on his mind at that time: His girlfriend, Lore.

"I was thinking a lot about my girlfriend who is working on our house," Boonen said. "I thought about her a lot during the final and this victory is for her."

Boonen coasted through his two laps at the velodrome, again giving the hand signal for the number four. Meanwhile Terpstra took 5th in the chase group sprint. Turgot took 2nd, beating Ballan (3rd) in a bike throw.

"The velodrome finish line, it's the only one where you can do two laps where all the people are," Boonen said of the unique Paris-Roubaix finish. "It's the only finish line where you have one kilometer where you can bond with the people that are there. It's just just such a special race. Paris-Roubaix, only one race like it in the world. A race like this needs a special finish. I think changing this finish line would be very stupid. It's almost more Paris-Roubaix — finishing here — than the cobblestones. I was really enjoying my two laps."

The entire team contributed during the race. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck made a 12 rider break at km 70, but was taken out by a rider while riding through the Arenberg. Sylvain Chavanel did incredible work chasing down breaks, and also was in a four rider break with 66kms to go. However, he punctured with 58.1km to go, having to get his rear wheel replaced. He still battled with a chase group, which was about two minutes behind a select group of 30-40 riders. Boonen and Terpstra attacked shortly after Chavanel punctured. Gert Steegmans and Stijn Vandenbergh were both seen working at the front to chase down breaks during the race.

This is the 30th victory for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team in three disciplines. Tom Boonen, who moved into first place in UCI WorldTour standings last week with his Ronde van Vlaanderen victory, increases his lead in the individual classification. The team is also ranked number one in UCI WorldTour standings.

"I just love it," Boonen said of bike racing. "I never, ever have problems finding motivation to train. Although, it has not been easy. It's my 11th year as a pro, there is always ups and downs, but never problems training. I like it, and I really do it for these races. These are the ones I love. Paris-Roubaix is one of the hardest one day races. Flanders and Paris-Roubaix both are difficult. The moment I start to feel tired, and not training, then it's time to stop. But I think the last few years I've found more love for the bike and I'm not losing it. I think it's getting easier getting older.

Results - 110th Paris-Roubaix (257.5km)
1. Tom Boonen (BEL) - 5:55.22 (43.48 km/h / 27.02 mph)
2. Sebastien Turgot (FRA) +1.39
3. Alessandro Ballan (ITA)
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP)
5. Niki Terpstra

Photos: OPQS / Tim de Waele

This Sunday, April 8th, while millions of people worldwide continue their observation of Passover and rejoice in the celebration of Easter, professional cycling will once again undertake its annual descent into Hell, better known as the cobblestoned Classic, Paris-Roubaix.

Defined by its traditional twenty-seven sectors of pavé, which are spread out over 257.5 kilometers of terrain that was once pockmarked by the scourges of war, l'enfer du nord is a veritable meat grinder of both man and machine.

It is one of the few races on the calendar where its survivors finishers, are lauded as champions and its winner is elevated to legendary status.

Defending champion, Johan van Summeren (Garmin-Barracuda) returns, but he will be hard-pressed to claim back-to-back titles as he may only be Garmin-Barracuda's third best option.

Young Belgian compatriot and teammate, Sep Vanmarcke, who won this year's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and rode strongly in the Ronde van Vlaanderen, will certainly be a marked man along with American Tyler Farrar.

Another squad that boast multiple contenders and will undoubtedly be heard from on Sunday is BMC Racing.

Labelled as a Classics super team because of their off-season acquisitions, the team has unfortunately underperformed during the early part of this season. But with a strong team showing last weekend at Flanders that was capped off by Alessandro Ballan's third place finish , BMC Racing now looks to be rounding into the juggernaut everyone had envisioned.

In addition to Ballan, BMC's hopes to lift the winner's cobblestone lie with former World Champion, Thor Hushovd, George Hincapie, former U-23 Roubaix winner Taylor Phinney, and Manuel Quinziato.

When all is said and done; however, the list of contenders may begin and end with one name, Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step).

Wins at Qatar, Paris-Nice, Gent-Wevelgem, E3 Prijs Vlaanderen and Flanders, have all but signaled Boonen's rebirth to the dominant form that earned him the rare Ronde/Roubaix double in 2005.

He is unquestionably the odds-on favorite to go through Hell unscathed, and on the day that celebrates rebirth, it would be more than fitting for him to do so.