A very gloomy looking day as we depart, overnight showers made the course sloppy to begin with and more rain is predicted along with some strong winds over the day. Everyone will suffer to reach Roubaix.
247 km
Our first attack of the day comes from Barbier, behind him Biermans, van der Poel, Kuznetsov and Nechita.
They won't get far as the peloton has no interest in letting that group of riders go.
240 km
Kuznetsov gives it another go, with him are Silva, Roosen, Hsu and coming across the gap is van der Poel making his 2nd effort.
It isn't overly cold outside, but as the riders leave the towns and are exposed to the winds, you can see how quickly the echelon forms with the wind blowing from the riders left.
169 km
The first of many sections of cobbles today, the rain has at least stopped falling, but the route will still be messy. The breakaway holds a 6'35 advantage for now.
155 km
Well that reprieve from the rain doesn't last as the peloton is already starting to shed some of the riders who really don't want any part of the slick cobbles today.
130 km
The day has proved difficult as Kuznetsov and Silva are unable to keep up with their companions in the breakaway.
128 km
Let's look at our breakaway trio since that is what is left. All three are functional riders on the stones.
Hsu is still a growing talent, just 23 years old, a good looking sprinter normally and should find some success in routes without too much suffering.
With him, van der Poel is 24, another talent still improving each season, a very good downhiller and solid on most terrains.
Lastly, the oldest of the group at 26, Roosen, another fuctional rider over most terrains, though he certainly enjoys the days without climbing more.
It must be nice to be feeling good, because Summerhill again hits the front to damage the legs of his opponents on this awful day of weather.
28 km
And we see the first of our top names dropping as Spanish champion Altur can't keep the pace, and has dropped back. Teammate Geraint Thomas there to try and help in back into the race.
25 km
The next attack comes on the smooth roads, not the cobbles and catches some off guard. Van Avermaet makes a move and has Wisniowski right behind him!
20 km
On Carrefour de l'Arbre it is Summerhill who quickly broke away from the group and joined the leaders, pushing them on as well!
16 km
Back onto the paved roads, and you can see the gap that has been opened up! The radio is reporting the lead is just under one full minute.
We highlighted two of these riders as top contenders for this race, Summerhill's overall ability, and Wisniowski's strength on the flats. The aging Van Avermaet making one last go of this legendary race.
15 km
In the group now, it is Kristoff trying to get clear of a decimated and dogged group.
14 km
Next to move up from this main group is Teunissen as everyone sees this chance to maybe avoid a sprint finish!
8 km
An incredible effort from Mike Teunissen as he joins our lead group, with 1'02 on the main group of 12 which has reabsorbed Kristoff.
7 km
Speaking of that group, an impressive recovery from our once forgotten Spanish Champion, Altur, who now looks to very much still be a part of this race.
Summerhill leads us into a thankfully dry Roubaix Velodrome! Wisniowski next, then Teunissen and Van Avermaet.
Our main group is lead in by Blythe, with the leaders just entering the first turn, just under a lap and a half to go!
Leaders
Summerhill
Wisniowski
Teunissen
Van Avermaet
Chase
Blythe
Vanmarcke
Bewley
Senechal
Kamyshev
Gerts
Trentin
Altur
Theuns
Kristoff
David
The biggest miss from this will be Vanbilsen who is now 2' behind the front.
It's now the bell for our leaders, they still hold a lead of about a quarter of the track over the group and the dangerous Bewley who has owned this velodrome for six years.
Speaking of that man, an absolutely incredible burst of speed as he tries to close down any gap there was and has completely left his group behind.
The Kiwi has his prey in sight now, that quarter of a lap lead has turned into just meters! The king of the track is about to be back on terms!
Surely Teunissen knows who has just arrived on his wheel, but does Danny or any of the others know who has come up from behind!
The final sprint is off as Bewley has gone around high on the track! Vanbilsen haplessly gets the best view as he has to face reality of being lapped.
fin
Going high took too much energy as Wisniowski holds on in the sprint and wins Paris - Roubaix! A drooped head for Summerhill despite a tremendous effort and early attacks will take 2nd.
Teunissen gets 3rd keeping Bewley off the podium and in 4th. A good 5th palce result for Van Avermaet.
A good sprint from Theuns gets him over in 6th, in front of Blythe who just edges out Vanmarcke.
Now for the incredibly tired finishers, 9th will go to Senechal and 10th will have a race between Gerts and Kristoff.
Normally I'd take Kristoff to win that heads up sprint, but there weren't any legs left for either man and Gerts is able to cross first in 10th.
