Fabian Cancellara, Tour of Flanders
Swiss hardman Fabian Cancellara is no stranger to long-range attacks, in a career which has earned him the title ‘King of the Classics’. And having crashed in last year’s Ronde, suffering a fractured collarbone in the process, Spartacus was out to win back his crown in arguably the most prestigious of the cobbled Classics this year. The RadioShack-Leopard man did not disappoint either, with a devastating attack to earn victory.
Part of the leading group on the final ascent of Oude Kwaremont, an attack was to be expected but the manner of his assault off the front of the group blew it apart. Only Gent-Wevelgem winner Peter Sagan (Cannondale) could keep pace with Spartacus on the iconic cobbled climb, but while he was visibly straining to stay in touch, Cancellara looked the picture of calm as he remained in the saddle while still setting a punishing pace. He eventually dropped the Slovakian on the Paterberg, before rocking forward on the handlebars and ‘time-trialling’ to victory by a huge 1’27”.