Ian Stannard dug deep to claim a hard-fought third place in a thrilling edition of Paris-Roubaix.
![]() |
News – Ian Stannard 3rd at Roubiax
Team Sky press release | Photos from www.pelotonphotos.com
After 257.5 kilometres of racing the Brit found himself in a five-man shootout for the victory in the famous velodrome, starting his sprint late around the outside in front of a screaming crowd.
Third was the end result, as ahead Mat Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) took a memorable victory, edging out Tom Boonen (Etixx – Quick-Step) in the sprint for the line.
“I’m obviously happy to be on the podium,†Stannard said in the Telegraph. “But it’s also so close, so far. There are still two steps to go; maybe next year. I wanted to attack to avoid having to sprint against guys like Boonen or Edvald [Boasson Hagen],†Stannard explained. “I tried to attack in the finale. That’s what I’m better at if you like.
He added: “The finale was pretty nervous. Nobody really had the legs. Mat is a great friend and I’m super happy to see him win. For him to outsprint Boonen is pretty impressive. He’s an ex-team-mate and seeing everything he has done, I’m really impressed.”
BEST OF BRITISH
Equalling the best ever British performance (inc Roger Hammond in 2004) in the Monument Classic, Stannard attacked repeatedly in the closing stages as the elite lead group traded blows. Each move was shut down, leading to a grandstand finish over one and a half laps of the Roubaix Velodrome.
Luck ran out for the team though as Gianni Moscon, amidst a superb ride in his Roubaix debut, slid out on a slick corner. Stannard dodged his team-mate but Luke Rowe was brought down briefly in the melee.
Minutes later Salvatore Puccio was also caught out on slippery cobbles, leaving Stannard alone out front. That was until Rowe found new reserves and battled back to the lead group. A huge pull from the Welshman, leading onto the Camphin-en-Pevele sector, set up Stannard for the first of multiple attacks.
Rowe never gave up and rode to an eventual 14th position, 2:20 back on a shell-shocked Hayman.
After the race Rowe recalled an action-packed finale, and was quick to praise the incredible work of his team-mates. He said: “We crashed on the section before Pevele. Then I had to chase so hard to get back. I knew then that was the one big effort of the day done.”
“So as soon as I came back I said to Yogi ‘I’m all yours man, just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.’ It was kind of a waiting game and then when we were coming into the section before Carrefour we knew the wind would be like that. It was just a case of trying to thin that group down so we could launch an attack there.”
“Everyone gives something to someone and the whole team were incredible. They gave us so much. The way it turned out, I gave everything I had for Yogi. He just finished on the podium in what I consider to be the biggest Monument in the world so I’m super happy for him.”
“We were probably the best represented out there. We had Puccio in the original break and then five guys behind – four after Arenberg. So we had the numbers and the team had guys riding this race for the first time. Gianni was here for the first time and he’s pulling a group of 20 along with all the hitters in it. When you have guys like that stepping it up just spurs you on and you want to be just as good.”
Viviani’s race was ended by a crash in the Arenberg Forest, but happily checks revealed no fractures for the Italian after a scary incident. Puccio (33rd), Moscon (38th) and Van Poppel (61st) all pushed on to the finish.
“Elia is doing very well which is good news,” confirmed team Doctor Derick Macleod. “He thought he’d anticipated the crash and saw it happen in front of him. He managed to come to a stop on the right by the barrier when the motorbike went into him.
“He went to the hospital and the X-rays revealed he has no fractures. He’s got a few bruises and abrasions and he’s a bit sore obviously, but we’re really thankful he’s got no significant injuries. We expect him to make a quick recovery.”
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Maidenhead & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA Time Trial
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10m TT
- TT Result: Pendle Forest CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Results: Exeter University Early Season Crits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LUCC Spring Crit Series 2
- Crit Result: Spokes RT Season Starter 2
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC Hardriders TT
- TT Result: Tavistock Whs Sporting TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly TT
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Barrow Central Wheelers 20.2m TT
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- Crit Result: Brownlee Centre (Leeds)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 2)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 1)
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- Crit Result: Westpoint Youth Stage Race
- Video Interviews 2023: Ollie Peckover
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 21m TT
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- TT Result: City RC Hull 2-Up TTT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 10m TT
- TT Result: University Of Bristol 10m TT
- Report: Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Time Trial Series
- Crit Results: LUCC Spring Crit Series Rd 1
- TT Result: West Suffolk Wheelers 21m TT
- Crit Result: Sussex Winter Circuit League #4
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
Other News on VeloUK
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- STARTLIST: Junior Men/Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Entry List: The Peaks 2 Day (18/19 March)
- News: Conti’s Strongest GP 5000 Tyre
- Startlist: Harold H Nelson Memorial Day of Racing
- Team News: Halesowen A & CC Academy 2023
- News: Saint Piran Women to go UCI
- NEWS: 2023/24 Cyclocross National Trophy/Champs
- Startlists: Proper North Road Race Series (Capenwray)
- 61st Eddie Soens – Rider List
- World Masters Track Championships 2023
- News: Contiki support women’s cycling initiative
- EVENTS: Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre
- News: Ribble Launch Collective to Ride As One
- Startlist: 39th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- News: 3 weeks to Women’s & Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- News: New Moda Bikes for Cycling Sheffield
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (February)
- News: Alice Towers Debuts for Canyon/SRAM
- Startlist: VC St Raphael Classic TT
- News: Trinity Announces 2023 Team
- News: Cycling Brands LTD to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
- Q&A with young organiser James Hawkins
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85