Tom Boonen’s fourth Paris-Roubaix win is “one of the best” in his career
Tom Boonen of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step became part of history during the 110th version of the Paris-Roubaix.
The cyclist claimed his fourth win at the French race and matches the 35-year-old record of his Belgian compatriot Roger De Vlaeminck.
Roger achieved the milestone with his victories during the 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977 versions of the event.
Boonen claimed his first victory during the Paris-Roubaix 2005 and continued towards the world record after his 2008 and 2009 successes.
He rode brilliantly during the Paris-Roubaix 2012 and stole the show with his outstanding performance during the 257.5 kilometre race.
Tom finished the event in a fastest time of 5 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds and occupied the top podium spot.
Sebastien Turgot of Team Europcar finished second with a deficit of 1 minute and 39 seconds with Alessandro Ballan, Juan Antonio Flecha and Niki Terpstra claiming the next three spots.
Boonen noted after the victory, “Today was one of my best days in my career, I wasn’t really thinking about these records and victories”.
“After winning Harelbeke I knew I would be good in Flanders and Roubaix”.
Tom has also secured the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in a same year for the second consecutive year.
“When I won Flanders I realized that I also needed a little bit of luck in Roubaix. If I look on these past two or three weeks it’s been amazing”.
“It’s my second double. Now I’m the only guy that ever did this double two times”.
“I realize now that I’ll probably be one of the best, maybe the best, guy on the cobblestones that ever rode”.
He has already claimed as many as nine victories in the young season and is looking ahead to capitalise on his superb form.
The 31-year-old is currently leading the UCI Elite Men Individual rankings as of April 2012 with a total number of 366 points to his credit.
Simon Gerrans, Samuel Sanchez, Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan currently hold the next four positions with 210, 208, 182 and 179 positions respectively.
Tom has also helped his side Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step with a top position at the Teams rankings with Team Katusha and Team Liquigas-Cannondale at the second and the third positions.
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