(Roubaix) The Canadian Alison Jackson created the surprise by winning the third edition of Paris-Roubaix women on Saturday by sprinting a group of six riders on the Roubaix velodrome.
The 34-year-old Canadian from the EF Education team came from the morning break who managed to resist the return of the group of favorites, delayed by the falls.
It is by far the best victory of the career of the Canadian, very active in the breakaway.
“It’s unreal, I have no words. It’s a dream come true,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
“I wanted to weigh in on this race, to be at the front. In this kind of race, you have to avoid bad luck, it would have been a shame to lose after such a long breakaway, ”she added.
Jackson won ahead of Italian Katia Ragusa (Liv Racing Teqfind) and Belgian Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck).
PHOTO THOMAS SAMSON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The two French Eugénie Duval (FDJ-Suez) and Marion Borras (St Michel-Mavic-Auber 93) finished fourth and fifth.
The favourites, including the Belgian Lotte Kopecky (7e), cut the finish 12 seconds behind the winner.
Kopecky, who had just won the Tour of Flanders, was involved in a big crash 36 km from the finish when she tried to come back on the morning break with a group of pursuers.
The Fleming then tried to come back, approaching with her group less than ten seconds into the final, but without managing to completely close the hole.
“The race was very tough, I had a tough time today,” she said.