52nd Paris-Roubaix 1954 (France)

An Inspiring Spring Run

The very popular Raymond Impanis (Bel) came to Paris-Roubaix with victories in the prestigious Paris-Nice and Tour of Flanders. At the start in St. Denis Impanis led the list of favorites for the victory.

An early breakaway built a 3 minute lead after 100km of racing. The breakaway group contained 3 races favorites causing the chase began in earnest. Through the tough cobbled section at Henin-Lietard the gap began to come down.

Following a series of punctures and crashes the front group was diminished with 2 Frenchman alone in front. Belgian riders led a hard chase and a general regrouping occurred 18km from the Velodrome in Roubaix.

Defending champion Germain Derycke attacked hard from the back of the 15 rider lead group forcing the contenders to react. Aggressively Raymond Impanis caught and dropped Derycke. Impanis held a 100 meter lead coming into the velodrome . The huge crowd roared as Impanis powered to the finish line for the victory.

SPECIAL NOTE: Raymond Impanis joined Gaston Rebry as the only riders to win Paris-Nice, Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the same year.

P-R 1953

P-R 1955

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