By Gregor Brown in Roubaix
Team Liquigas not only lost Filippo Pozzato in the pre-Trouée d'Arenberg crash, but key domestique, Manuel Quinziato. The 28 year-old Italian from Bolzano has showed superb formed in the last month and was looking forward to a good day in 'Hell' at the 106th Paris-Roubaix.
"Today, I am very angry because I broke my rear wheel just before the [Arenberg] Forest," stated Quinziato after Sunday's race, where he finished 5'12" (with George Hincapie and Juan Antonio Flecha) back on Belgium's Tom Boonen. The spokes in Quinziato's rear wheel were damaged as a result of his team captain, Pozzato, crashing at kilometre 161. "When he crashed, he crashed on me and broke the spokes," Quinziato confirmed.
He faced a long chase before he could re-enter with the favourites, where his chances were hampered. "I had to ride the whole [Trouée d'Arenberg] section with a broken wheel and then I had to stop and change it afterwards. I had to chase alone; I continued that way for 20 kilometres.
"I made it back to the front group, but I had used all my energy. It is a pity because I had felt great leading into the race."
Overall, Quinziato felt the day was ruined by bad luck, as so often is the case in the 'Hell of the North.' "I chased too much today, it's a pity because I really felt I had the legs to stay in the front group."
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