A cobbled transition for Hushovd

Thor Hushovd is getting his season underway this week in the Tour of California. The 31-year-old Norwegian has won Tour stages, the maillot vert and Gent-Wevelgem, but in 2009 he has another big goal. He tells Cyclingnews' Shane Stokes that becoming Paris-Roubaix champion is on top of his wish-list.

Professionals such as Sean Kelly, Eric Vanderaerden, Eddy Planckaert and Johan Museeuw became well known thanks to stage wins in the Tour de France, but then went on to become big Classic winners a little later in their careers. With time and physical maturity came increased strength, and this saw each of them eventually topping the podium in Paris-Roubaix.

New Cervélo signing Thor Hushovd hopes to join this group in 2009. When asked if he'd rather win a Classic or take another Tour de France maillot vert, he opts for one-day success, pointing out that he's won the green jersey before. And of those Classics, Paris-Roubaix is the most important prize.

"I have been third in Milano-Sanremo, and ninth is my best in Roubaix," he tells Cyclingnews, referring to the 2005 editions of both events. "In Flanders I have taken 14th in the past. Of those races, Roubaix is something special... I'd love to win there."

Read on about Hushovd's thoughts of the Queen of Classics.