Backstedt claims Paris-Roubaix win
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PARIS, France -- Magnus Backstedt upset the favorites to become the first Swedish winner of the grueling Paris-Roubaix World Cup race.
Backstedt, who rides for Alessio, beat Dutchman Tristan Hoffman of CSC and Briton Roger Hammond of Mr Bookmaker in a sprint finish at the end of the 261-kilometer event.
Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara of Fassa Bortolo completed the first group of finishers.
"This day was mine. Before today, I thought my best achievement was my Tour de France stage victory in Autun in 1998," said Backstedt.
"It was a perfect day. I just had a little scare in the Aremberg trench because it was slippery."
Belgian Johan Museeuw, seeking a record-tying fourth win in the event known as the "Hell of the North," was next across the finishing line hand in hand with compatriot and co-favorite Peter van Petegem.
Both had suffered punctures earlier in the race, which includes 51 kilometers over cobblestones.
Museeuw, in his last race before retiring at the age of 38, was forced to quit eight kilometers from the line.
"I felt very strong today and just when I was beginning to feel I could have won I punctured," said Museeuw.
"But I'm very proud. I've won the Tour of Flanders three times and Paris-Roubaix three times - and it could have been four. For that I'm pretty sad, but that's life."
