| Van Steenbergen and Record Speed
The 46th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 4, 1948.
From the start in St. Denis a blazingly strong tailwind blew the race toward Roubaix at record speed.
Race Status:
The roads of northern France were kind to Belgian Rik Van Steenbergen (Mercier) in 1948.
The final selection of 20 riders pulled away through the cobbles at Wattignies (226 km / 246 km).
A series of punctures thinned the lead group leaving only Emile Idee (Peugeot), Fiorenzo Magni (Wilier), and Adolf Verschueren (Mercier) in the front with Van Steenbergen chasing off the back, but close behind.
On the hill at Hem (240 Km / 246 km) the strong Belgian made the junction to the leaders. Frenchman Emile Idee knew Van Steenbergen possessed the strongest sprint and launched one final attack.
At the entrance to the Velodrome Van Steenbergen trailed Idee by 2 bike lengths. Gallantly Idee drove the pace to drop the Belgian, but Van Steenbergen's superior closing speed overcame the Frenchman and gained the victory.
Defending champion George Claes (Bel) finished third 16 seconds behind the winner.
P-R April 4, 1948 |
246 Km, St. Denis (north of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome)
|
1.
Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Bel) 5h35'31” |
2.
Emile Idee (Fra) |
3.
George Claes (Bel) +16” |
Starters: 217 / Finishers: 60 Average Speed: 43.612 km/h * |
|
P-R 1947 P-R 1949
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