Press Release Against all odds! In the 102nd edition of Paris-Roubaix, Alessio’s Magnus Backstedt entered the history books, by becoming the first Swedish rider to conquer the “Queen of classics”. After 261kms of a fantastic race, Backstedt beat his four breakaway companions in the final Velodrome sprint. Second spot went to Dutchman Tristan Hoffman (CSC) while Great Britain’s Roger Hammond (Mr Bookmaker) managed a great third spot. In his penultimate race, an unlucky Johan Museeuw finished fifth. The Hell of the North belongs to a Swede. Who would have expected such a surprise on the start line of the race this morning in Compiègne? At 11h06 precisely, the 177 riders took off under clear weather conditions with a strong face wind. The first real breakaway happened after 72kms when Bonomi, Commesso (both Saeco), Albasini (Phonak), Krauss (Gerolsteiner), Auger (RAGT) took off from the bunched peloton. Their lead went up to over 4min before dramatically dropping down at km 142 when Commesso continued his effort with another escapee Geert Van Bondt (Landbouwikrediet). But the two men were to be eventually caught. Just before the famous Arenberg trench, Rolf Aldag (T-Mobile) gave it a go and entered the legendary cobbled stones in the lead. Not for long however as all the main favourites eased up the pace. As the first men finished with the crowed Arenberg trench, a group of 21 men managed to break away including Museeuw, Boonen, Hincapie, Wesemann, Van Petegem, Nardello, Flecha, and … Magnus Backstedt. At km 200, Estonian Jan Kirsipuu tried his chance, breaking away from the favourites group. The AG2R rider saw his lead climb up to 29sec but never more. And that’s when the serious business really started. Johan Museeuw was the first (at km 207) to show he had the legs for a possible fourth crown, before being caught by the hungry group led by the CSC and Lotto-Domo teams. With 20kms remaining, Tom Boonen (Quickstep), George Hincapie (US Postal) and Juan Antonio Flecha took off. At that precise moment, last year’s winner Peter Van Petegem (Lotto) suffered a puncture that would rule him out despite a vain chase. While the three leaders were finally caught, five riders managed the decisive move just after the Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 246): Magnus Backstedt, Fabian Cancellara, Tristan Hoffman, Roger Hammond and … the Lion of Flanders Johan Museeuw. A perfect scenario for the 38-year old Belgian, in pole position for yet another Roubaix triumph. But it was not to be King Johan’s day when a dramatic puncture struck only 6kms from the finish. With a comfortable 30sec lead and 5kms to go, victory was to be decided between the remaining four men. In a breathtaking final lap of the Roubaix Velodrome, Magnus Backstedt made the best of his long legs to grab a historical triumph just ahead of Hoffman and Hammond (first Brit on a Roubaix podium). The first World cup win for the Swede who had finished second of wednesday's Gent-Wevelgem. For the first time since 1994, no Belgian rider made it to the final podium, with Johan Museeuw grabbing fifth spot of his penultimate race. An emotional moment with Van Petegem and Museeuw crossing the finish line hand in hand. In the overall World Cup standings, Germany’s Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile), winner a week ago of the “Ronde”, conquered the leadership from Oscar Freire who had decided not to start the Hell of the North. Newsflashes 17:54 - Museeuw, fifth... Fourth spot for Cancellara. Museeuw is 5th and Van Petegem 6th. 17:49 - First win for a Swede In the history of Paris-Roubaix, it's the first time a Swedish rider wins the event. Thumbs up to Magnus Backstedt. 17:48 - top three... Top three: Backstedt (ALE) Hoffman (CSC) Hammond (MRB) 17:47 - Backstedt wins!!! And in the final sprint... Magnus Backstedt (ALE)wins this 102nd edition of Paris-Roubaix. 17:45 - Leaders in the Velodrome. The four leaders Backstedt (ALE), Cancellara (FAS), Hoffman (CSC) and Hammond (MRB) have entered the Roubaix velodrome. 17:43 - 3kms to go. Three kilometres to go and the leaders have a 35sec advantage on the Van Petegem-Museeuw group. 17:41 - Who will it be??? The winner of this 102nd Paris-Roubaix is among these four men: Backstedt (ALE), Cancellara (FAS), Hoffman (CSC) and Hammond (MRB) 17:40 - Four in the lead!!! 5kms to go... In the lead: Backstedt (ALE), Cancellara (FAS), Hoffman (CSC) and Hammond (MRB). They have a 28sec lead with 5kms to go. 17:37 - Van Petegem -Museeuw together Van Petegem has caught Museeuw. They are now 20sec adrift with 6kms to go. 17:36 - Puncture for Museeuw!!! In the cobbled secction of Hem (km 254), Johan Museeuw (QUI) has been dropped after a puncture. 17:36 - 30sec lead for the leaders The five leaders (including Museeuw) have a 30sec lead on Hincapie, Flecha, Van Petegem, Van Bon, Hoste, Wesemann, Nardello, Boonen, Hoj et Vainsteins, 8kms from the finish. 17:33 - Ten kms to go Ten kilometres from the finish line, Museeuw (QUI), Backstedt (ALE), Cancelara (FAS), Hoffman (CSC) and Hammond (MRB) have a 26sec lead on the Van Petegem group. 17:31 - Looking good for the five At km 249, the five leaders have 16sec on Hincapie and Flecha. Van Petegem's group is at 25sec. 17:29 - Five in the lead After the Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 246), five men are in the lead with Museeuw, Backstedt, Cancelara, Hoffman, Hammond. Hincapie and Flecha are 8sec behind. Van Petegem is at 35sec 17:25 - Van Petegem still behind At km 245, Van Petegem is still chasing the leading group but is 28sec adrift 17:22 - All over for the leaders It's over for the leaders at 16 kms of the finish. Hincapie, Hoste, Boonen and Flecha have been caught by the main group. 17:21 - Hoste with the leaders At km 17, Leif Hoste (LOT) has just caught up the three leaders. They have a 10sec lead on the following group. 17:20 - Puncture for Van Petegem In the cobbled section, Peter Van Petegem (LOT)has just suffered a puncture at km 243. 17:18 - Camphin-en-Pevele... The three leaders have entered the cobbled sections of Camphin-en-Pevele with a 16sec lead on the main group. Hoste, Bernucci and Wesemann have managed to break away. 17:15 - Hincapie, Boonen, Flecha in the lead Mengin and Baldato have been caught by the main group. Meanwhile, the three leading men (Hincapie, Boonen, Flecha) have a 17sec advantage. 17:14 - 3 in the lead At km 235, three men are in the lead : Hincapie (USP), Boonen (QUI) and Flecha (FAS). Just behind are Fabio Baldato (ALE) and Christophe Mengin (FDJ). 17:11 - Incident for Hoste Leif Hoste is forced to stop after a flag got trapped in his rear wheel. 17:10 - Five men in the lead At km 32 Christophe Mengin (FDJ) and Baldato (ALE) take off... Both men have been caught by three riders Hoste, Flecha, Boonen. 17:02 - Hoj and Van Bon caught Thirty kilometres from the finish line in Roubaix, the two leaders have been caught. Hoj and Van Bon are now back in the main group. 16:54 - Riders... in the first group In the main favourites group : Van Petegem (LOT), Hoste (LOT), Wesemann (TMO), Aldag (TMO), Nardello (TMO), Cancellara (FAS), Flecha (FAS), Hunter (RAB), Hincapié (USP), Museeuw (QUI), Boonen (QUI), Cretskens (QUI), Hulsmans (QUI), Baldato (ALE), Backstedt (ALE), Bartoli (CSC), Gusev (CSC), Michaelsen (CSC), Radocla (ILE), Guesdon (FDJ), Mengin (FDJ), Hammond (MRB), Kirsipuu (AG2R), Diercksxens (LAN), Hushovd (CRE), Bernucci (LAN), Vainsteins (LAM). This group is now 14sec behind Hoj and Van Bon at km 222. 16:44 - Hoj and Van Bon still in the lead At km 215, Frank Hoj and Leon Van Bon are still in the lead with a 28sec advantage on the main group. 16:41 - Fall for De Clercq In the same cobbled section Hans De Clercq has fallen. Bad fall for the Belgian and bad news for Van Petegem who loses a Lotto team mate. 16:39 - Zanini falls Stefano Zanini has just siuffered a fall in the Mons-en-Pevele section. Bad news for Boonen and Museeuw who lose a team mate. 16:38 - Kirsipuu caught Kirsipuu has been caught. Meanwhile Hoj (CSC) and Van Bon (LOT) have broken away at km 213. 16:35 - Musseuw caught Museeuw is now back in the main group. But what a move from the Lion of Flanders. He proves that he has the legs for a possible fourth win. 16:32 - Off goes Museeuw Off goes Museeuw (QUI). Impressive stuff by the Belgian veteran. He's now 10sec behind Kirsipuu. 16:29 - Kirsipuu increases lead At km 207, Kirsipuu now has a 29sec lead on the main group. 16:17 - 20sec lead for Kirsipuu At km 205, Kirsipuu (AG2R) now has a 20sec lead on the main group. The Estonian already has 4 victories this season. 16:09 - Kirsipuu in the lead At km 200, Jan Kirsipuu (AG2R) breaks away from the leading group... Very interesting move from the Estonian rider. He know has a 12sec lead. 16:00 - Puncture for Pieri Dario Pieri stopped with a puncture on the side of the road. The Italian Saeco rider had finished 2nd last year. Meanwhile, Boonen (QUI), Backstedt (ALE) and Van Bon (LOT) are in the leading positions of the first group of around 25 riders. 15:54 - Boonen in the lead 70kms from the finish, Tom Boonen (QUI), winner of Gent-Wevelgem last wednesday is in the leading positions of the first group. 15:47 - Hornain section... The leading group has been caught by a bunch of riders including 97 race winner Guesdon (FDJ) in the Hornain section (that will be used for this year's Tour de France). 15:40 - The favourites together! Also in the 21 leading group : Van Petegem has four Lotto team mates, Museeuw (QUI) and Wesemann (TMO) have two. They have a 1min30 lead on the peloton. 15:31 - End of the Arenberg trench Twenty men in the lead after the famous Arenberg trench (km 168). Among the group: Museeuw, Hincapie, Wesemann, Van Petegem, Hushovd... Vainsteins, Boonen, Backstedt, Nardello, Flecha. 15:27 - Flecha leads! Aldag is immediately caught by the main group. Meanwhile, a fall occured including Floyd Landis (USP)... Spaniard Flecha (FAS) is now alone in the leading position. 15:24 - Arenberg, here we are!!! Rolf Aldag enters the Arenberg trench, alone in the lead. 15:19 - Aldag in the lead Just 5kms before the legendary Wallers-Arenberg section (km 161), the two leaders have been caught in the Haveluy cobbled section. Meanwhile, Rolf Aldag TMO) has broken away from the peloton. 15:04 - Over a minute lead for the leaders The two leading riders, Commesso and Van Bondt (winner of Gent-Wevelgem back in 2000) have a 1min01 lead on the peloton at km 152. 15:00 - Fall in the peloton At km 146, massive fall in the middle of the peloton including about 20 men. All the riders are back on their bikes but it appears that Robert Bartko (RAB), injured, will not carry on. 14:51 - VDB back in the peloton Frank Vandenbroucke has eventually made it back to the peloton totally on his own. In other words the Fassa rider has lost quite a lot of energy in this solo effort. 14:48 - Van Bondt and Commesso in the lead Just as the leaders were being caught by the peloton, Van Bondt and Commesso have broken away together. The two men now lead the race by 25sec at km 142. The other riders have been caught. 14:43 - Van Bondt catches the leaders Geert Van Bondt (LAN) who had taken off from the peloton is now catching up the leading group. 14:40 - Fall in the peloton Fall in the peloton for four men including Frank Vandenbroucke. The Belgian Fassa Bortolo rider is slowly getting back in the main group. 14:37 - Gap drops down! Franck Vandenbroucke (FAS) in the lead of the peloton in the cobbled section of Saulzoir. And the gap has gone down to 1min21 on the five leaders. 14:21 - Lead dropping down for the five... The leaders have a 2min21 advantage on the peloton after the cobbled section of Haussy (km 123). 14:10 - Over 3min for the leaders! The leading group (Bonomi (SAE), Commesso (SAE), Albasini (PHO), Krauss (GER), Auger (RAGT)) has made it to the feeding zone (km 115) with a 3min15 lead on the peloton. 14:08 - Problems for Guesdon Fredric Guesdon (FDJ), winner in 1997 has stopped with mechanical problems. He's been dropped by the peloton. His team mates are helping him back to the back of the main group. 14:04 - Puncture for Auger After Albasini, Auger also punctures. He is slowly making it back to the leading positions. Meanwhile Ludo Dierkxsens leads a peloton that is breaking apart. 13:56 - First cobbled section The five leaders have made it to the first cobbled section of the race in Troisvilles (km 98). After just a few metres, Albasini suffered a puncture and was dropped by the four-man group. He is now back among the leaders. 13:26 - Still five in the lead... At km 87,5, the five men (Bonomi (SAE), Commesso (SAE), Albasini (PHO), Krauss (GER), Auger (RAGT)) are still in the lead with a 4min advantage on the peloton. The pace has slightly gone down with an average speed of 37,200 km/h in the second hour of the race (39km/h average since the start in Compiegne). 13:15 - Toto Commesso... Among the five escapees is Salvatore Commesso, Italian champion in 2002 and a Tour de France stage winner back in 2000 (stage 18, Lausanne-Freiburg). 13:06 - Five men in the lead! Five men have broken away at km 72: Bonomi (SAE), Commesso (SAE), Albasini (PHO), Krauss (GER), Auger (RAGT). They have a 35sec lead on the peloton. Before that, Erwin Thijs (MRB) had been caught by the peloton. 12:48 - Withdrawals... already! Gadret (CHO), Lowik (CHO) and Bracke (LAN) have pulled out of the race after a fall. Meanwhile, Thijs is still alone in front. 12:38 - Off goes Thijs At km 53, Belgian rider Erwin Thijs (MR BOOK)) has broken away. He now has a 25sec lead on the peloton. 12:17 - Peloton bunched It's over for the escapees. They've been caught by the peloton. Quite a few attempts including that of Rony Martias (BRI), cousin of French sprinter Christine Arron, but nothing very serious. The average speed of the first hour is 40,200 km/h. So far the weather is clear with a slight face wind. 12:00 - Breakaway at km 30 After km 30, three riders have broken away and have a 12 seconds lead on the peloton : Putsep (AG2R), Van der Wal (BANK) and Auger (RAGT). The breakaway had actually started with 7 men including Thor Hushovd (CRE). 11:52 - World cup overall After the first two rounds of the cycling World Cup, Oscar Freire (RAB) leads the overall after his victory in Milan-San Remo and a 23rd place at the Tour of Flanders with a total of 103 points. The Spaniard has decided not to start this one that he considers not made for him. In 2nd spot overall is Germany's Steffen Wesemann (TMO), winner last week of the Tour of Flanders with 100 points. Joint third are Erik Zabel (TMO) and Leif Hoste (LOT) with 70 points, while Erik Dekker (RAB) is fifth with 51 points. 1. Freire (SPA), 103 pts 2. Wesemann (GER), 100 3. Hoste (BEL), 70 4. Zabel (GER), 70 5. Dekker (NED), 51 11:37 - 177 on the start 177 riders took the start of this Paris-Roubaix, including last year's winner Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo). 11:33 - First attempt... Immediately after Jean-Marie Leblanc, race director waved the start flag, a Brioches La Boulangère rider tried to break away, quickly caught back by the peloton. 11:26 - Off they go! The riders took off this morning at 11:06 for the 261kms of the race. 11:26 - Live Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 102nd edition of Paris-Roubaix.