1998, Paris-Roubaix...
Eventual winner, Franco Ballerini leading the charge
over the pavé.
One of my favorite toughmen of the pavé has to go to the Italian Franco Ballerini. He died tragically last February but his memory is firmly etched into all cycling fans as an heroic two time winner of Paris-Roubaix.
Winner twice (1995 & 1998) and podium twice (1993 & 1994). He was tantalizingly close to winning in 1993 when the race turned into a final sprint in the Velodrome against the veteran Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle. He lost by centimeters and threatened not to return. Youthful emotion? Thankfully he changed his mind and decided to return to his beloved cobbles for more punishment .... and glory.
There's a French blog called, 'Le blog de l'Ardoisier' that's worth to check out. It's here that I found out that Paris-Roubaix organisers will have a special award called, 'Pavé Franco Ballerini' to present to the highest placed Italian rider at this Sunday's race.
Can Alessandro Ballan be the first?
A worthy hommage to the great rider!
Comments
I Directed, Shot and Edited a great cycling video. Check it out here and post to your blog if you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=god9caILLHU
Thanks, Nathan Avila
nathanavila.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/nathanavilafilms
http://www.vimeo.com/nathanavila
looks like ballan wont be able to take it after all the commotioneminating from italy...
cant wait, will be a fab race for sure!
Hope you are well..
Simon
Pozzato looks like the top Italian out of the whole bunch! I'm having pavé fever!
It's a great idea to honor the man Ballerini!
Hope you are well too, I can't wait for Sunday to start!