© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
Totally eclipsed by O’Grady: hence can be resumed the 105th edition of Paris-Roubaix, the Australian champion dazzled with such splendour and talent in a race renowned for its mercilessness. He slipped into the morning breakaway group, the one that never “makes it to the end”…
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
The Arenberg trench was the first shaping section: the German rider Grabsch launched a solo attack, while Stuart O’Grady, victim of a puncture, fell behind.
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
The favourites re-grouped, lying in wait. This group of sixty or so riders was broken up by Michaelsen and Flecha, who pulled clear to chase Kopp, Van Impe and Pollack. Acting purely on instinct, “Stuey” followed close on the wheels of the counter attack launched by Wesemann and Hammond, and was once more in the forefront of the action.
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
Adrift at the back of the pack the heavyweights, out of the equation, were utterly powerless to prevent the unfolding of the final outcome. Wesemann struck, pursued by Hammond and O’Grady. At the junction with Kopp and Van Impe, the CSC team sprinter stepped up the pace and extended the lead, right to the finish…
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
O’Grady overthrew the Belgian armada and its favourite Tom Boonen: …
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
… he rode into the history books conquering the lion of Flanders and capturing the queen of the classics…
© A.S.O. / Bruno BADE
The first Australian ever to win on the cobblestones, he was congratulated by his son.
