Paris-Roubaix podium history | 1962 edition | 1960 edition
Les Woodland's book Cycling's World Championships: The Inside Story is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
The race:
The 1961 Paris-Roubaix was 263.5 km long and raced at an average speed of 41.70 km/hr.
We don't know how many riders started the 1961 Paris-Roubaix, but there were 121 classified finishers.
As a result of an earlier attack by Henry Anglade, six riders (five of them Belgians) entered the Roubaix stadium.
Emile Daems led out the sprint, but van Looy was enjoying fabulous form and easily won.
He did have to be cautious, however, because his rear tire had a slow leak and he was afraid of rolling it on the banking.
Winner Rik van Looy racing in the 1961 Paris-Roubaix.
Complete results: