Hincapie's hopes dashed by more misfortune

George Hincapie's run of Paris-Roubaix misfortune continued at the weekend, dashing the American's hopes at the Spring Classic once more. The Team High Road rider suffered a puncture just as the peloton started to fracture.

"I am very disappointed with the outcome of the race on Sunday," he admitted on his website GeorgeHincapie.com. "I had great legs all day and was doing everything right. Unfortunately, I had a mechanical at a very critical moment."

Hincapie has a love affair with the 112 year-old French event; however, it has consistently dealt the 34 year-old cruel setbacks. In 2002 the blow came as he slipped into a muddy ditch, while in 2006 it was a snapped steering tube that brought down the US American.

"I eventually got a new wheel, but the leaders turned on the gas when they saw me stop," he lamented. "I worked hard to get back on, but at this level of competition, there is no room for bad luck."

The 2008 event was Hincapie's return to Roubaix after being forced to sit out last year's race with a wrist injury, sustained at the Tour of California. In 2005 the American nearly won the 'Hell of the North' when he was part of the winning move of four, only to be bettered in the sprint by his former team-mate Tom Boonen, who also won this year's race.