Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) won the second Monument of his career when he stormed to victory at the 2018 Paris-Roubaix. The world champion won a two-up sprint against breakaway companion Silvan Dillier (AG2R la Mondiale) in the Roubaix velodrome, dedicating the victory to his teammates for their unconditional support throughout the 257km race.
Sagan made his first bid for victory when he attacked a select chase group and bridged up to the remnants of an all-day breakaway. Dillier was the last surviving rider of the original break, and he and Sagan worked together to build a minute lead as the entered the final stretch toward the velodrome finish line.
Dillier entered the track and rode onto the boards in first position. Sagan followed the Swiss champion around the track, starting his winning sprint first and holding it to the line.
The Hell of the North
Call it the Hell of the North, l'Enfer du Nord, or by its given name, Paris-Roubaix, the first Sunday in April is reserved for the pinnacle of cycling tradition, where the best riders in the world test themselves against the worst conditions possible.
Be it rain, cold and mud or sun, warmth and dust, the cobblestone roads that normally live in the French soil are dug up, made barely presentable, and used to select the strongest, most skilled, most stubborn-willed men in the sport.
Beginning with the Troisvilles sector, the mayhem builds as riders puncture, crash or are simply dropped because they lack the power to glide over the rough surface.
The action heats up in the Arenberg Forest after 162km, the first five-star secteur. The real contenders rise to the forefront at Mons-en-Pévèle, the next five-star track with almost 50km still to race. The Carrefour de l'Arbre with 26km remaining is a critical point to win or lose the race, which culminates in the famous Roubaix Velodrome.
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) started the day as the defending champion but faced stiff competition from the dominant Quick-Step Floors team. In the end, he only managed fourth place.
Sagan started the race as the mystery man - his form was excellent in Gent-Wevelgem, where he delivered a fine victory, but he was lacking either in strength or attention when Niki Terpstra escaped in Flanders.
2018 Paris-Roubaix - Brief Results
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe | 5:54:06 |
| 2 | Silvan Dillier (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| 3 | Niki Terpstra (Ned) Quick-Step Floors | 0:00:57 |
| 4 | Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team | 0:01:34 |
| 5 | Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| 6 | Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
| 7 | Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin | 0:02:31 |
| 8 | Taylor Phinney (USA) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
| 9 | Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quick-Step Floors | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
| 10 | Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Soudal | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
THE HOLY WEEK - Trailer from Cyclingnews Films on Vimeo.
Sectors of Pave in the 2018 Paris-Roubaix
- 29 - Troisvilles (km 93.5 - 2.2 km) ***
- 28 - Briastre (km 100 - 3 km) ***
- 27 - Saint-Python (km 109 - 1.5 km) ***
- 26 - Quiévy (km 111.5 - 3.7 km) ****
- 25 - Saint-Vaast (km 119 - 1.5 km) ***
- 24 - Verchain-Maugré (km 130 - 1.2 km) **
- 23 - Quérénaing (km 134.5 - 1.6 km) ***
- 22 - Maing (km 137.5 - 2.5 km) ***
- 21 - Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon (km 140.5 - 1.6 km) ***
- 20 - Haveluy (km 153.5 - 2.5 km) ****
- 19 - Trouée d'Arenberg (km 162 - 2.4 km) *****
- 18 - Hélesmes (km 168 - 1.6 km) ***
- 17 - Wandignies (km 174.5 - 3.7 km) ****
- 16 - Brillon (km 182 - 2.4 km) ***
- 15 - Sars-et-Rosières (km 185.5 - 2.4 km) ****
- 14 - Beuvry-la-forêt (km 189 - 1.4 km) ***
- 13 - Orchies (km 197 - 1.7 km) ***
- 12 - Bersée (km 203 - 2.7 km) ****
- 11 - Mons-en-Pévèle (km 208.5 - 3 km) *****
- 10 - Avelin (km 214.5 - 0.7 km) **
- 9 - Ennevelin (km 218 - 1.4 km) ***
- 8 - Templeuve - L'Epinette (km 223.5 - 0.2 km) *
- 8 - Templeuve - Moulin-de-Vertain (km 224 - 0.5 km) **
- 7 - Cysoing (km 230.5 - 1.3 km) ***
- 6 - Bourghelles (km 233 - 1.1 km) ***
- 5 - Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 237.5 - 1.8 km) ****
- 4 - Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 240 - 2.1 km) *****
- 3 - Gruson (km 242.5 - 1.1 km) **
- 2 - Hem (km 249 - 1.4 km) ***
- 1 - Roubaix (km 256 - 0.3 km)
