What can you say about a race like Roubaix? Well, quite a lot, actually – and we’ve got it here! We look at the new bromance between Peter Sagan and Silvan Dillier, reactions of other riders to the race, lots of pictures of muddied kit and faces … and so much more. Hold on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Paris-Roubaix 2018 got off to a flying start and never slowed down. Although the day was sunny and dry, the cobbles weren’t always that way and the mud and multiple crashes – including some incredibly serious – helped the break of the day stay away longer than expected. But it was a Quick-Step-like move from Peter Sagan at 54km to go that set up the win. Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale) was the only rider who could stay with the world champion to finish second in the two-up sprint. Ronde champion Niki Terpstra rode to third solo.
The first stage on the Italian mainland delivered a fizzing will-the-break-make-it finish and a maiden grand tour victory for Silvan Dillier. The Swiss rider put it in the big gear with 150m to go and kept his wheel in front of a fast-finishing fellow escapee Jasper Stuyven. The difference between first and second was centimetres on the road but an ocean of emotion as Stuyven banged his handlebars while Dillier celebrated. Lukas Postlberger has a real taste for this Giro, adding a third place on today’s uphill drag to his victory on stage one. The status quo was maintained amongst the GC contenders, leaving Bob Jungels resplendent in pink for another day.