 Jun 1st, 09. Kiwi Clinton Avery was one of the 11 riders to enter the famed Roubaix velodrome together. Taylor Phinney won the final sprint with Avery earning 7th place.
Clinton Avery - 3rd top 10 finish
"The reason I focus on the cobbles is because its a true classic race and I am good at it. The style of riding and the technique for riding the cobbles suits me being a bigger rider. I guess I enjoy the fact it's a chance where I can shine," Clinton Avery told RoadCycling.co.nz's Sarah Christian last week.
Racing for his Belgian team PWS-Eijssen, Avery got his chance to shine again today.
Eleven riders entered the Roubaix velodrome together after 170kms on what is much the same course as the senior men rode last month. The race came down to a sprint and with world Track champion Taylor Phinney in the mix it was always going to be a difficult task to beat him over the line. Avery finished 7th.
This was Avery's 3rd Paris Roubaix and his 3rd top ten finish, an amazing feat considering the technical course where luck can play a big role. Avery is showing his class as a true cobbles specialist.
"He has what it takes to win the race, but you can't always do that," Clinton's New Zealand based coach John Lee told RoadCycling. "I'm yet to talk to Clinton about the race, but from my point of view coming on to the velodrome with the front group for three years in a row means that he has had what it takes to win the race, but you cant always do that.
"Phinney is something special. I'm really happy for Clinton even though I imagine he is a little disappointed. I'm sure that this will lead to better things .... even Hincapie hasn't won this! If luck goes his way I hope that he will soon be racing this event at pro tour level and making the same impact."
Trek Livestrong - Two kiwis and a winner
18 year old winner Taylor Phinney rides for Trek Livestrong alongside two kiwi team mates, Sam Bewley and Jesse Sergent. Bewley who finished 16th today told RoadCycling earlier this month that he was excited to be lining up for one of the absolute classic cycle races.
"Paris-Roubaix really does excite me, because of the cobbles. They are just a totally different aspect to the sport that isn't exposed in any other race. An aspect only the strong can survive."
"This is what makes this race so legendary and so prestigious. A race that can bring glory and a race that can bring heart break. This race has an emotional connection to cycling and it excites me to be part of it!"
Post race, Sam's excitement turned to the reality of dealing with the new aches and pains from a four and a half hour ride, 170kms, much of it on cobbles. "Dinner at Eddy Merckx's after having my body jarred to pieces on the Belgian cobbles," the young rider said on his twitter account.
Bewley's respect for Phinney was evident. "No one can deny that Taylor Phinney is a freak. World class and I look forward to seeing him win the worlds biggest races in the future Congrats to him today winning u23 Paris-Roubaix! Amazing. I was 16th, think I'm pleased. That race blew me away," he twittered.
Kiwi results
- Clinton Avery 7th, same time as winner
- Sam Bewley 16th +36s
- Jesse Sergent 42nd +6m08s
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