Niki Terpstra failed to defend his Paris-Roubaix title as he finished in the group that sprinted for 9th.

"At the feed zone we were there in front and there was a crosswind," Terpstra said. "We accelerated already the section ago, actually Yves [Lampaert] did it all alone. Then we went away with a small group, but the collaboration wasn't there with the other teams, so the group behind us came back.

"Every section was like that. We'd get away, but riders would come back. I tried to accelerate in the important cobbled sectors, but I couldn't get away.

"Yves did a good attack, and then Styby [Stybar] jumped from behind. That was a good situation with the team. My teammates attacked at the right time. Yves was really incredible today after doing so much work all day. I told him yesterday to just keep riding, and it's never over, and for sure it came true for him. I like his character. He really likes to race and he showed it today.

"As for my performance, I tried to do what I could today and am not 100 percent satisfied, but collectively it was a great race and we race as a team, not individuals.

"This closes out the first part of my season. I was 2nd in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 2nd in Gent-Wevelgem, and 2nd at Ronde van Vlaanderen. Of course this is good, but I have mixed feelings about not winning in the Classics.

"After winning Paris-Roubaix last year I knew it would be hard to follow-up with the same kind of success. I think I managed to follow up well, but the small bit of luck to make the difference between 1st or 2nd just wasn't there. I was good, and I even won Tour of Qatar. So while I am not completely satisfied I have shown I can always be there in the actions and can go for the win."