Paris-Roubaix returns to Italy after 22 years: Colbrelli's epic triumph in the mud
The most important classic of cycling goes to an Italian, it hadn't happened since 1999
The magical moment of blue sport continues.
The Italian Sonny Colbrelli of Bahrain Victorious won the 118th edition of the Paris-Roubaix, the most important classic in the line, a 258 kilometer race, 55 of which on cobblestones.
The last Italian to win the "classic monument" was Andrea Tafi in 1999.
Colbrelli beat his two escape companions in the sprint, the Belgian Florian Vermeersch and the Dutch Mathieu Van Der Poel. Fourth place for the Trentino Gianni Moscon, protagonist of a long solitary but very unlucky escape, betrayed by a puncture and a fall that made him reach by the trio of Colbrelli.
"For me it is a dream, a legend, but I was at the limit". These are the first words of the rider from Brescia, who is a mud mask. "The Belgian started but I managed to catch him and overtake him in the last few meters. In the cobbled areas I always tried to stay ahead and I succeeded." Colbrelli also congratulated Gianni Moscon.
(Unioneonline / L)
