Tom Boonen Powers to Victory in Paris-Roubaix 2012
Belgian rider Tom Boonen won the Paris-Roubaix race for a record-tying fourth time, successfully breaking away from the pack about 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the end of Sunday's one-day classic.
In doing so, the BMC Racing Team rider bettered the record for Paris-Roubaix finishes with 17. "I came out relatively unscathed," the three-time U.S. national road champion said and added "This is such a hard race. From the guys who are getting first, to the guys who are getting last, everyone puts everything they have into it. You're completely exhausted, but it's what people dream about - coming into the velodrome. It's definitely a special feeling."
An intensive crash occurred in the Arenberg Forrest about halfway through the race, with Frederic Guesdon, riding in his record-equaling 17th Paris-Roubaix and the last Frenchman to win in 1997, caught up in it. He did get back in the saddle but lost his momentum.
