Sunday’s 119th edition of one of the five cycling monuments became the solo prey of the Dutchman Dylan van Baarl, who reached the finish line at the velodrome in Roubaix after 257 km with an almost two-minute lead. However, a fierce battle between the pursuers, including Lampaert, flared up for more places on the podium.
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However, the chances of the 31-year-old rider took hold seven kilometers before the finish in Hem, where the riders on the last paved section saved their strength on a narrow strip of asphalt next to the cubes. The careless spectator, in fan’s euphoria, did not guard his position off the track, and a cursory strike by the clapping hand was enough to make Lampaert’s bike completely unmanageable.
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After a solo escape, Paris-Roubaix was taken over by Van BaarleVideo: sntv
The Belgian tried in vain to avert the impending catastrophe and, after a series of skids, landed in somersaults at the feet of spectators on the opposite side of the road. Despite a rough fall, however, he managed to continue and reached Roubaix with a three-minute gap behind the winner.
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The Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl team lost a chance on two riders on Sunday in a similar way. In addition to Lampaert, Florian Sénéchal also fell after a collision with the spectator. “The problem is that people don’t make sense. Competitors suffer 250 km to fulfill their dream, to which they sacrificed weeks of life. And one idiot will destroy it all. I’ll tell you, I would get up thirty and forty years ago, pick up my bike, and go beat it up. That is out of the question today, but I think he should get at least a fine of a thousand euros, “team boss Patrick Lefevere did not take the napkins for velonews.com.
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