Paris-Roubaix podium history | 1984 edition | 1982 edition

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The Race:

The 1983 Paris-Roubaix was 274 km long and raced at an average speed of 40.308 km/hr.

There were 193 starters and 32 classified finishers.

Francesco Moser, who had already won Paris-Roubaix three times, dropped the hammer on the Trouée d'Arenberg cobbles. That huge effort reduced the lead group to just five riders.

Hennie Kuiper, who had already suffered two crashes, nevertheless managed to stay with the leaders. Kuiper knew he could not beat the others in a sprint, especially Francesco Moser. So Kuiper did what he did best, he took off on a solo break. Initially, no one chased and with sixteen kilometers to go he had a lead of a minute and a half.

Kuiper wasn't done having bad luck. While on his break (with some of the world's best riders chasing), he flatted. He was given a new bike and held off his chasers to win Paris-Roubaix on his eleventh attempt.

Voilà un homme!

 

Winner Hennie Kuiper is being chased as he navigates the cobbles in the 1983 Paris-Roubaix.

Kuiper's bad luck doesn't seem to end. He flats while on a solo break.

But Kuiper stays away to win the 1984 Paris Roubaix.

Complete Results:

1. Hennie Kuiper (Jacky Aernoudt) 6hr 47min 51sec

2. Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (Peugeot) @ 1min 15sec
3. Francesco Moser (Gis Gelati) s.t.
4. Ronan De Meyer (Boule d'Or) s.t.
5. Marc Madiot (Renault-Elf) s.t.
6. Adrie Van der Poel (Jacky Aernoudt) @ 5min 59sec
7. Patrick Versluys (Euro Shop-Splendor) s.t.
8. Frank Hoste (Europdecor) @ 7min 40sec
9. Eddy Planckaert (Euro Shop-Splendor) s.t.
10. Alain Bondue (La Redoute) @ 8min 40sec
11. Daniel Willems (Boule d'Or) s.t.
12. Roger de Cnijf (Boule d'Or) s.t.
13. Francis de Ridder (Fangio-Tonissteiner) @ 10min 52sec
14. Jan Wijnants (Boule d'Or) @ 12min 27sec
15. Paul Sherwen (La Redoute) @ 13min 2sec
16. Luc Colijn (Fangio-Tonissteiner) s.t.
17. Eric Vanderaerden (Jacky Aernoudt) @ 14min 4sec
18. Jozef Lieckens (Safir) s.t.
19. Ludwig Wijnants (Boule d'Or) s.t.
20. Stephen Roche (Peugeot) @ 16min 25sec
21. Dominique Garde (Peugeot) s.t.
22. Henri Manders (Jacky Aernoudt) @ 18min 31sec
23. Marc Gomez (Wolber-Spidel) @ 18min 46sec
24. Erich Maechler (Cilo-Aufina) s.t.
25. Pierino Gavazzi (Atala-Campagnolo) s.t.
26. Jan Van Houwelingen (Boule d'Or) @ 23min 41sec
27. Acacio Da Silva (Eurotex) s.t.
28. Dirk De Wolf (Boule d'Or) @ 26min 53sec
29. Jan Bogaert (Europdecor) @ 29min 29sec
30. Guy Gallopin (La Redoute) @ 35min 54sec
31. Dominique Naessens (Fangio-Tonissteiner) s.t.
32. Martial Gayant (Renault-Elf) @ 40min 21sec