April 08, 2012 – Check out these great pre-race photos from Paris-Roubaix as racers prepare for the 109th edition of the grueling 258km epic Spring Classic on April 8 now underway. Three-time Roubaix winner Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step is the clear favourite as he comes off his recent Flanders victory.

The other squads will not go down without a fight, however, with last year’s underdog champ, Garmin Barracuda’s Johan Vansummeren (Bel) tasked with the job of defending his title. BMC’s Alessandro Ballan (Ita) and Thor Hushovd (Nor), Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), Europcar’s Sébastien Chavanel (Fra), and Farnese Vini – Selle Italia’s Filippo Pozzato (Ita) are all on the hot list.

Three Canadians are on the start list: Svein Tuft (GreenEdge), Dominique Rollin (FDJ-BigMat), and David Veilleux (Europcar). Another North American of note is USA’s 21-year-old Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing Team), who will contest his first full Paris-Roubaix, after winning the U23 edition twice.