2015 Paris–Roubaix

==Pre-race favourites==

==Pre-race favourites==

Two former multiple winners of the event missed the race due to injury. Four time winner [[Tom Boonen]] was ruled out after dislocating his shoulder in a crash during [[2015 Paris–Nice|Paris–Nice]] in March,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/lefevere-rules-out-tom-boonens-paris-roubaix-return-164839|title=Lefevere rules out Tom Boonen's Paris-Roubaix return - Cycling Weekly|date=1 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly}} whilst three-time winner [[Fabian Cancellara]] missed out after fracturing two vertebrae in his lower back in a crash at [[2015 E3 Harelbeke|E3 Harelbeke]].{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/27/fabian-cancellara-tour-of-flanders-paris-roubaix-e3-harelbeke|title=Fabian Cancellara ruled out of Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix after crash|work=the Guardian}}

Two former multiple winners of the event missed the race due to injury. Four time winner [[Tom Boonen]] was ruled out after dislocating his shoulder in a crash during [[2015 Paris–Nice|Paris–Nice]] in March,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/lefevere-rules-out-tom-boonens-paris-roubaix-return-164839|title=Lefevere rules out Tom Boonen's Paris-Roubaix return - Cycling Weekly|date=1 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly}} whilst three-time winner [[Fabian Cancellara]] missed out after fracturing two vertebrae in his lower back in a crash at [[2015 E3 Harelbeke|E3 Harelbeke]].{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/27/fabian-cancellara-tour-of-flanders-paris-roubaix-e3-harelbeke|title=Fabian Cancellara ruled out of Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix after crash|work=The Guardian}}

[[Alexander Kristoff]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}) was tipped by as the favourite to win the race,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/preview|title=Paris-Roubaix 2015: Preview - Cyclingnews.com|author=Barry Ryan|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411174652/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/preview|archive-date=11 April 2015|url-status=dead}} having won three stages and the general classification of the [[2015 Three Days of De Panne|Three Days of De Panne]], the [[2015 Tour of Flanders|Tour of Flanders]] and [[2015 Scheldeprijs|Scheldeprijs]] in the fortnight leading up to the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/alexander-kristoff-continues-winning-streak-with-scheldeprijs-victory-165646|title=Alexander Kristoff continues winning streak with Scheldeprijs victory|date=8 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly}} Defending champion [[Niki Terpstra]] also showed good form, having been runner up to Kristoff in the Tour of Flanders and also placing second in [[2015 Gent–Wevelgem|Gent–Wevelgem]] a week earlier.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/32242345|title=BBC Sport - Paris-Roubaix: Geraint Thomas expects dual leader role with Wiggins|work=BBC Sport}} He was likely to share leadership of {{UCI team code|QST|2015}} with [[Zdeněk Štybar]], who was also in good form with a victory at [[2015 Strade Bianche|Strade Bianche]] and second place at E3 Harelbeke earlier in the classics campaign.

[[Alexander Kristoff]] ({{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}) was tipped by as the favourite to win the race,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/preview|title=Paris-Roubaix 2015: Preview - Cyclingnews.com|author=Barry Ryan|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411174652/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/preview|archive-date=11 April 2015|url-status=dead}} having won three stages and the general classification of the [[2015 Three Days of De Panne|Three Days of De Panne]], the [[2015 Tour of Flanders|Tour of Flanders]] and [[2015 Scheldeprijs|Scheldeprijs]] in the fortnight leading up to the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/alexander-kristoff-continues-winning-streak-with-scheldeprijs-victory-165646|title=Alexander Kristoff continues winning streak with Scheldeprijs victory|date=8 April 2015|work=Cycling Weekly}} Defending champion [[Niki Terpstra]] also showed good form, having been runner up to Kristoff in the Tour of Flanders and also placing second in [[2015 Gent–Wevelgem|Gent–Wevelgem]] a week earlier.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/32242345|title=BBC Sport - Paris-Roubaix: Geraint Thomas expects dual leader role with Wiggins|work=BBC Sport}} He was likely to share leadership of {{UCI team code|QST|2015}} with [[Zdeněk Štybar]], who was also in good form with a victory at [[2015 Strade Bianche|Strade Bianche]] and second place at E3 Harelbeke earlier in the classics campaign.

The race was marred by controversy when it emerged that dozens of cyclists had unsafely crossed a [[level crossing]] while the barriers were down. Further cyclists were only stopped from crossing when a police motorcyclist intervened. Seconds later, an [[SNCF]] [[TGV]] high-speed train passed through the crossing.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/11532558/Paris-Roubaix-2015-Riders-almost-hit-by-train-at-level-crossing-as-SNCF-call-for-barrier-jumpers-to-be-prosecuted.html|title=Paris-Roubaix 2015: Riders almost hit by train at level-crossing as SNCF call for barrier jumpers to be prosecuted|last=Cary|first=Tom|date=13 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|newspaper=The Telegraph}}

The race was marred by controversy when it emerged that dozens of cyclists had unsafely crossed a [[level crossing]] while the barriers were down. Further cyclists were only stopped from crossing when a police motorcyclist intervened. Seconds later, an [[SNCF]] [[TGV]] high-speed train passed through the crossing.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/11532558/Paris-Roubaix-2015-Riders-almost-hit-by-train-at-level-crossing-as-SNCF-call-for-barrier-jumpers-to-be-prosecuted.html|title=Paris-Roubaix 2015: Riders almost hit by train at level-crossing as SNCF call for barrier jumpers to be prosecuted|last=Cary|first=Tom|date=13 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|newspaper=The Telegraph}}

The SNCF called for police to take action following the incident, stating that there could easily have been a tragedy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/32284180|title=Paris-Roubaix: Train company wants police action taken|date=13 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|newspaper=BBC Sports}}

The SNCF called for police to take action following the incident, stating that there could easily have been a tragedy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/32284180|title=Paris-Roubaix: Train company wants police action taken|date=13 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|newspaper=BBC Sport}}

==References==

==References==