Paris-Roubaix podium history | 1988 edition | 1986 edition
Les Woodland's book Tour de France: The Inside Story - Making the World's Greatest Bicycle Race 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 1987 Paris-Roubaix was 264 km long and raced at an average speed of 36.982 km/hr
There were 192 starters and 47 classified finishers, plus 3 who finished beyond the time limit.
The course was wet, muddy and slippery. Sean Kelly fell on wet cobbles at the 25-kilometers to go point, holding up most of the favorites.
Eric Vanderaerden attacked right then and immediately had a gap. He rode away from the field and caught three breakaways (Rudy Dhaenens, Patrick Versluys and Philippe Vandenbrande) who had been away for a long time.
They rode to the finish together, where Vanderaerden easily won the sprint.
Eric Vanderaerden looks back as he wins the sprint. Apologies for the video screen shot.
Winner Eric Vanderaerden on a dry day.
Complete Results:
Outside the time limit: