| The Emperor Adds the “Queen”
1960 World Champion Rik Van Looy had parcours including all the major races except the “Queen of the Classics” Paris-Roubaix.
A flurry of fruitless attacks dotted the early kilometers, but the race began in earnest in Pont-a-Marcq. Henry Anglade accelerated and formed an elite breakaway group including Van Looy.
An untimely puncture by Anglade on the hill at Hem eliminated the Frenchman. A group of 6 entered the velodrome to the joy of the huge crowd. Not to be denied Van Looy dominated the sprint. “I've won it! I've won it! I've won it!!!!” cheered Van Looy.
Rik “The Emperor” Van Looy had added the missing one of cycling's 5 Monuments to his stellar parcours.
P-R April 9, 1961 |
262 Km, St. Denis (north of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome) |
1.
Rik VAN LOOY (Bel) 6h19'09” |
2.
Marcel Janssens (Bel)
|
| 3.
Rene Vandervecken (Bel)
|
Starters: 162 |
| Finishers: 121 |
Average Speed: 41.620 km/h |
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59th Paris-Roubaix 1961 (France) 
