After the sprint at the Roubaix Velodrome where he finished second to favourite Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) in the Paris-Roubaix, Belgian rider Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco) was overcome with emotions and had trouble restraining his tears.

During the Tirreno-Adriatico Vanmarcke fell hard on his knee and it seemed that he had to abandon all hopes of a successful spring campaign. However, he thought he might have one chance. “When I was there [after Tirreno-Adriatico], I knew that if I wanted to do something this spring then my only chance would be in Paris-Roubaix. My whole spring seemed to go down the drain, but I proved here that I'm made for this course,” said the 24-year -old rider who was moved to tears when speaking to the Belgian TV station Sporza.

“Maybe I should have waited even longer in the sprint, but it was only 175 meters when I went. I can really not feel happy at the moment. I really believed in it, therefore it makes it even more painful.”