When I slipped my beanie and gloves into my suitcase I felt a bit silly. Surely it wasn’t going to be that cold. But when I was standing on a Paris street on Sunday 8 April before the sun came up and it was about 1°C, it didn’t feel like such a stupid idea!
It was only last year that I told myself I had to get to the Roubaix velodrome at least once in my life. Strike one thing off the bucket list!! It’s an experience I think I’ll always remember. The roar of the crowd as Tom Boonen edged closer and closer to the velodrome, only to reach an amazing intensity when he actually entered. Not something that you easily forget.
The start for Paris Roubaix
They even have to start on pave!
Future pros perhaps?
Stuart O’Grady’s shoulder…
Stuart O’Grady’s ear…
Look! It’s Stuart O’Grady!!
Contemplating what’s to come.
It’s not a bike race in Europe if there’s not at least one Australian flag.
Ya gotta go that way!
Our first cobble section at Inchy. I had enough trouble walking on it, couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to ride on it.
All that standing around and they go by so quickly!
There they go!
Breakaway group entering the corner at our second stop, Haveluy.
Thor!!
George!!
These are not happy faces. Stuart O’Grady tucked right in the middle. From what I can gather, GreenEdge did not have a good race.
Breakaway group at Orchies.
Peleton coming through!!
Roubaix velodrome.
And he’s arrived! Tom Boonen entering the Roubaix velodrome.
I think he deserves a hug.
