Paris-Roubaix winner Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) was probably the smartest rider in the lead group of five that came to the line in a sprint but Belgian rider Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo) was probably the strongest rider on the cobbles.
The 27-year-old rode away from his four remaining rivals on the often decisive Carrefour de l’Arbre pavé sector but he was reeled back in on the asphalted roads leading to the vélodrome in Roubaix. In the sprint, Vanmarcke had nothing left to fight up against Hayman, Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) and Ian Stannard (Sky), finishing just off the podium.
“I’d love to win but I received a blow when I was caught back after the Carrefour de l’Arbre. I certainly hoped for the podium,” Vanmarcke said, while still standing inside the vélodrome. “I’m always really close. I think I showed that I’m made for these races, together with the Ronde. I believe that I can win it in the future. I think every year I’ve got the chance to win it. That’s the case for a few years now. I’ve got to keep trying until it works out.
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"One day luck will be on my side.”
The race unfolded nearly in a perfect way for Vanmarcke. The Etixx-QuickStep team created a split before reaching the Trouée Arenberg. Pre-race favourites Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) and world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) missed the cut and never managed to get back to the front.
“Just before the [Arenberg] forest there was already a split and we were there. It was an ideal situation to be up front that early with six riders from our team. It was perfect,” Vanmarcke said.
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