A long run for Bystrøm in the Paris-Roubaix

UAE Team Emirate’s Paris-Roubaix was characterised by these three points, which saw Marcato lead home in 18th place at 3’07” minutes behind winner peter Sagan.

Sven Erik Bystrøm finished 27th, 4’23” behind in a ride that saw him in the escape for 150 kilometres in his debut on Paris-Roubaix’s cobbles.

“I like this race and I had enthusiasm, and the right strength to confront the race from the start to the end,” Marcato said. “I was able to stay with the front riders even when the best riders were attacking on the Mons en Pévèle sector. Maybe I paid a little bit from the effort I made catching the group after I had punctured.”

“To be in the main escape in my first ride in Paris-Roubaix was a fantastic experience, also considering to make that move we spent a lot of energy in the first hour of the race,” Bystrøm said. “On the pavé, I had good feelings. I don’t know at this point, based on this ride, if I can come back and build a future in this big and important race.”

Alexander Kristoff had to say good-bye to his chances of a great result at 40 kilometres remaining when he was in a crash.

“My Paris-Roubaix unfortunately ended when Tony Martin crashed in the middle of the group and I finished on the ground as well,” said Kristoff. “Going at 60km an hour, I hit my back hard on the ground and I waited a few minutes for the pain to pass. I was able get going, though, and make it to the finish, but the top riders were already far off. It’s too bad because I felt well and I was back in the group after the first sector of pave when the peloton broke into pieces due to some crash and after I returned from a puncture.”

General classification

1 Sagan Peter (Bora-hansgrohe) 4h54″06″

2 Dillier Silvan (AG2R La Mondiale)

3 Terpstra Niki (Quick-Step Floors)

18 Marcato Marco (UAE Team Emirates)