André Greipel will start his eighth Paris-Roubaix in Compiègne, France, on Sunday, hoping that he can improve upon his best finish of seventh place at the race two years ago. Then, Greipel was one of the leaders at Belgian WorldTour team Lotto Soudal, but a move to Arkea-Samsic for 2019 will see him as the sole leader of the French Pro Continental team for this year`s Roubaix. The 11-time Tour de France stage winner is best known for his sprinting prowess, but the 36-year-old German has performed consistently well at the cobbled Classics, and has scored regular top-20 finishes at the Tour of Flanders on top of his Roubaix top 10 in 2017.ADVERTISEMENT `Paris-Roubaix requires a lot of concentration, a bit of luck and solid legs to be present in the finale,` Greipel said on his team`s website. `There are the cobblestones, obviously, but you also have to fight to be at the front ahead of every sector. There`s no time to catch your breath,` he continued. `We know that we`re going to suffer, and the most difficult aspect of it is that you`re in this fight with yourself. `Our legs and arms will hurt, but you can never give up, and just have to keep pushing on the pedals,` said Greipel. `Sunday is a big objective, and I`m very motivated.`
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
|