His whole body covered in mud after 257.7 kilometres featuring 30 cobbled sectors, Colbrelli burst into tears as he collapsed on the grass of the Roubaix Velodrome after triumphing in the first rain-hit edition of the Hell of the North since 2002.
The European champion, of Team Bahrain Victorious, pipped Belgian Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Soudal) and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), who were second and third respectively. Van der Poel, one of the pre-race favourites, came up just short after doing most of the work in a small group chasing Italian Gianni Moscon, who seemed to be heading to victory before a puncture and late crash ruined his chances.
This story is from the October 04, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 04, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bank holds fire but there is good news for homeowners
Here’s the good news: a rate cut in either July or August can probably be characterised as a racing certainty.
BoE holds interest rates at 5.25% despite hopes of cut
Homeowners hoping for a drop in their mortgage repayments will be disappointed by the Bank of England's decision to keep the base rate on hold.
El Kaabi strikes again as Villa limp out of Europe
Olympiacos won 6-2 on aggregate
'Banter era' United can still hobble Arsenal's title chase
It’s got to the point where, after nights like Monday, Erik ten Hag doesn’t really know what to say any more.
How do Real Madrid keep creating European magic?
“It’s something unexplainable,” Carlo Ancelotti said, more than once, on a night when he could have been talking about any number of elements.
Passengers injured as 737 skids off runway in Senegal
Passengers were left terrified after a Boeing 737 plane skidded off the runway at Senegal’s main airport causing 10 people to be injured.
Russia's Victory Day parade features single tank... again
Lone T-34 accompanied by armoured vehicles in Red Square
Daniels denies claims she made up Trump sex story
Over two hours of fierce cross-examination from Donald Trump’s legal team yesterday, Stormy Daniels fought off attacks designed to undermine her credibility and cast her as a liar and opportunist.
UN envoy says world can't ignore Sudan's 'silent war'
Human Rights Watch alleges genocide was likely committed
The split between Biden and Netanyahu is widening
There has never been any love lost between President Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but until this week, one could usually say with high confidence that their dysfunctional personal relationship would take a backseat to the historic alliance between the US and Israel.