While a place in the record books – and an unprecedented third Flanders-Roubaix double – proved beyond Fabian Cancellara’s reach, the Swiss rider reaffirmed his status as the modern day King of the Cobbles.

Niki Terpstra’s audacious late attack put paid to Cancellara’s hopes of a record-equaling fourth Paris-Roubaix victory, but at the Ronde a week earlier, the Trek Factory Racing rider had been at his very best – his experience and attacking style shedding the majority of his rivals, and his chase to rejoin the leading riders was impeccably timed, leaving plenty in the tank to win the sprint.

Earlier in the season, at E3 Harelbeke, Cancellara had been unfortunate to get caught behind a race-splitting crash – his efforts to bridge the gap to the leaders deserving of more than just a top ten spot.

But the statement of intent was there and Ronde success and third place at Paris-Roubaix – his 12th successive Monument podium finish – proved it. Tom Boonen remains the most successful rider in the pro peloton at both the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix, but Cancellara proved he is still King of the Cobbles.