| Never Say Die
Down but never out, Emile Daems rode on the limit to take the 1963 prestigious P-R victory.
As the race came through Annappes with 10 km to go, a very strong pace thinned the field. At Hem in the closing kilometers 2 escapees, Noel Fore and Rolf Wolfshohl seemed destined to sprint for the win. However Wolfshohl punctured leaving Fore alone 2 km from the finish.
After a quick wheel change Wolfshohl made a near impossible effort and caught Fore. Fearing the sprint Wolfshohl immediately attacked and entered the velodrome in the lead. Rik Van Looy led a chase group that passed Fore and reeled in Wolfshohl. Belgian Arthur De Cabooter lead out the sprint as the bell was sounding for the final lap of the velodrome. Peter Post dragged Van Looy to De Cabooter's wheel.
Around the final bend Marcel Janssen attacked as Van Looy moved up the banking. This move opened the door for Emile Daems, who jumped down the track. Van Looy answered but it was too late. Daems crossed the finish line for a “Never Say Die” victory.
P-R April 7, 1963 |
266 Km, St. Denis (north of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome) |
1.
Emile DAEMS (Bel) 7h03'33” |
2.
Rik Van Looy (Bel)
|
| 3.
Jan Janssen (Ned)
|
Starters: 132 |
| Finishers: 78 |
Average Speed: 37.681 km/h |
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61st Paris-Roubaix 1963 (France) 
