Paris - Roubaix

Classic hunters Knaven and Terpstra hope for surprise at Paris – Roubaix

Photo: courtesy
Team Milram

Photo: courtesy
Team Milram

This coming Sunday, the Milram classic hunters will be taking on the challenges of the 107th edition of the „Hell of the North“. Captained by routine man Servais Knaven – it will bet he 15th participation for the 2001 winner – and his Dutch countryman Niki Terpstra, the German ProTour Team hopes for a surprise at the famed one-day Classic Paris – Roubaix (UCI category HIS) in the North of France. During the 259km-long race from Compiègne to Roubaix, the two leaders will be supported by Markus Eichler, Thomas Fothen, Martin Müller, Dominik Roels, Björn Schröder and Martin Velits.

„Servais Knaven will be leading the whole team with his experience,“ said Christian Henn, Sports Director. „With Knaven, Terpstra and Velits we have riders that have the potential for a surprise on Sunday. You shouldn’t forget Markus Eichler, either. He showed last year that the race suited him. Apparently the weather will remain dry, which is to the advantage of our team. Generally, you need a lot of stamina in Paris-Roubaix. The faster you can ride over the cobbles, the easier it gets. In any case, this race is an enormous challenge.”

The one-day race, that has been taking place since 1896, is part of the five monuments of cycling. The “Queen of the Classics” has a very special format due to its dreaded 52.8 kilometres of cobblestone sections. Depending on the weather conditions and the race development, any kind of rider has a chance to win the event totalling around 260 kilometres.

Former Milram rider Ralf Grabsch made a memorable solo escape in 2007, lasting several hours. He showed a strong attack at the one-day Classic and was rewarded with a solid 15th placing in the end. Last year, too, Grabsch and Markus Eichler made a good showing. At the 106 edition of the race, the two riders ended up 26th and 30th respectively behind the Belgian winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step). The only German to have won the race yet was Josef Fischer, who did so at the very first edition in 1896.

The Milram roster: Markus Eichler (GER/Mönchengladbach), Thomas Fothen (GER/Kaarst), Servais Knaven (NED/Meerle;BEL), Martin Müller (GER/Berlin), Dominik Roels (GER/Köln), Björn Schröder (GER/Berlin), Niki Terpstra (NED/Haarlem), Martin Velits (SVK/Riemst, BEL)

Sports Director: Christian Henn (GER)


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