From Belgium to France, Cannondale Pro Cycling is looking forward to another challenge on the cobbles. On Sunday, April 13, the Green Machine will face the 112th edition of the Paris-Roubaix. The team will ride 257 km from Compiegne, France to the historic Roubaix velodrome. Between Compiegne and Roubaix, Cannondale Pro Cyclcling athletes will find themselves riding on 51 km of cobbled roads. Together, the distance of the race as well as its terrain, make this monument classic one of the hardest and most extreme of the cycling season.

 

Paris-Roubaix is the final race of the cobble campaign. Cannondale Pro Cycling team riders who will ride the Hell of the North are in great condition for this race. Athletes include Peter Sagan, Maciej Bodnar, Kristijan Koren, Ted King, Alan Marangoni, Paolo Longo Borghini, Fabio Sabatini and Matthias Krizek. Team Director Stefano Zanatta will be in charge to lead the riders.

 

The main ambitions for a top result will be on the shoulders of team captain Peter Sagan. The Slovakian champion raced Paris-Roubaix in 2010 and 2011. Due to a crash, Sagan did not finish in 2010, and he placed 86th in 2011. In 2008, Sagan also placed 2nd in the junior category.

 

"I'm curious and excited to see what I'll be able to achieve in this race," said Sagan. "The memories I have are not really indicative to how I will perform. Two years have passed since my last appearance; my performances and ambitions have changed.

 

"I really want to test myself on these cobbles and to see how I can reach high. This is a unique race, and I need a different way to approach it. I know there are many riders that are really specialists for this race and my aim is to measure with them.

 

"After the Ronde I've trained to recover and to keep the condition. Yesterday, at the Scheldeprijs, I worked in view of Sunday. Many factors can work on the result but I've strong desire to perform at my best."