Gallery
A Great Spring! PR17-10
This painting expresses the joy and frustration that is bike racing.
As feared, the trio of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Zdenek Stybar (Quickstep) and Sebastian Langeveld (Cannondale-Drapac) were got on the final turned by both Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) and Giani Moscon (Sky). In fact, it was Moscon that opened up the sprint to the line. He was quickly swamped by Stybar. However it was the on-fire Greg Van Avermaet who had the legs to take out the sprint and claim victory in Roubaix. Stybar was clearly frustrated with his second place finish as he slapped his handlebars on the line. Langeveld held on for third, with Stuyven and Moscon rounding out the top five.
It wasn't fated to be the fairy tale end of Tom Boonen's career. In fact he wasn't able to sprint to victory within his finishing group either. But he has provided us all with excitement, class and guts through his spectacular career. Chapeau!