Allez Marc!
A mini French renaissance started in the 1991 Paris-Roubaix.
Marc Madiot won his first Roubaix in 1985 and was back. He was 31 years old and now riding for his new team RMO. A season starting well with a sixth in the Tour of Flanders. The veteran was on form. So, the patient Madiot bided his time until L'Arbe (15.5 kms left) and took off from Franco Ballerini and Hendrik Redant to a spectacular solo victory.
Behind a train was closing with Steve Bauer just finishing off the podium in fourth. You may remember Bauer's epic ride, in 1990, from Eddy Planckert. But, another Frenchman, Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle finished in twelfth. The following two years Duclos-Lassalle would dominate making a French cycling triple over le pavé complete.
Since then, no Frenchman has won Roubaix. But then again there's plenty of time left in hell!
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