55th Paris-Roubaix 1957 (France)

De Bruyne Answers Belgian Critics

Several days after the finishing second to teammate Louison Bobet in the 1956 Paris-Roubaix, Belgian critics blasted the stronger Alfred De Bruyne for helping the Frenchman win. An off-season change to a new Italian team gave De Bruyne renewed positive attitude.

From the start the Peloton battled a very strong headwind with very well defined echelons forming. Weaker riders struggled to hold the front group. Twenty-six kilometers from Roubaix two riders lead a group of forty by 30 seconds. De Bruyne wasted little time at Sainghin-en-Melantois and quickly bridged the gap to the two leaders.

By Ascq, 11 km from the finish, De Bruyne had dropped both breakaway companions but the race was not over. A untimely puncture 1 km from the finish slowed De Bruyne's effort. Calmly the race leader got a tire change and entered the velodrome solo. A jubilant Alfred De Bruyne crossed the finish line for 1'11” victory. An ageless Rik Van Steenbergen won the field sprint for second place.

P-R 1956

P-R 1958

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