Veteran Canberra cyclist Mathew Hayman "didn't even dare to dream" winning this year's Paris-Roubaix, having only returned to racing last week after he broke his arm in February.
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But luck turned Hayman's way in the race he deems his favourite, and the Orica-GreenEdge captain denied Belgian Tom Boonen a fifth Paris-Roubaix title when he won the Queen of the Classics on Sunday.
It was a monumental win for Hayman, after being ruled out of cycling's Spring Classics after he fractured the radius bone in his right arm in a crash at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad race in Belgium five weeks ago.
Another fall changed his luck this time; a massive pile-up trapping the leading favourites 115 kilometres from the line, enabling the Australia veteran to break away.
He later outsprinted Boonen on the final bend to take out the 257.5 kilometre ride.
His win has already been heralded as the biggest of his career, and even inspired calls to rename the Canberra Velodrome in his honour.
The Mathew Hayman Velodrome.
Canberra needs a new one just quietly! #ParisRoubaix pic.twitter.com/8aO1BdbSXV— lindy j (@Contessa29er) April 10, 2016
@NathanPeterHaas @stephenhodgeaus @rorysutherland1 Canberra Velodrome should be renamed the "The Mathew Hayman Velodrome"— Michael Rogers (@mickrogers) April 10, 2016
Last time I spoke 2 matty Hayman he had his arm in a cast, next minute he wins Paris-Roubaix! #mynewhero— Lizzie Williams (@lizziedizzie83) April 10, 2016
Mathew Hayman wins #ParisRoubaix @ORICA_GreenEDGE pic.twitter.com/kavkXkr60F— Daniel McMahon (@cyclingreporter) April 10, 2016
It was a big weekend for Canberra cyclists, with Caroline Buchanan taking out round two of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester.
The road to Rio is a little smoother for Australia's top female BMX rider, after Buchanan beat Denmark's Simone Christensen and Brooke Crain of the US to win the event for the third year in a row.
Buchanan was also officially named on the Australian team to for the 2016 UCI BMX World Championships to be held in Colombia from May 23-29, where she is in form to go one better than her second place in 2015.
So stoked to win 3 years in a row here in Manchester@UCI_BMX_SX World Cup
Aussie Aussie Aussie #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/QSGBRpA8MF— Caroline Buchanan (@CBuchanan68) April 10, 2016
Congratulations to @CBuchanan68 & @liamPHILLIPS65 for #UCIBMXWC wins today! @UCI_BMX_SX
Fab 1st event to attend! :-) pic.twitter.com/Nz79inBY9q— Jenn (@PhotoJennBo) April 10, 2016
What a finish from @CBuchanan68 I'm now a fan! Stunning ride! #WonderWoman pic.twitter.com/E3YJuUUP5u— Stacey (@Pixthatshreds) April 10, 2016
- With Reuters
