Year 1999. Andrea Tafi enters the Roubaix velodrome and wins the classic on the cobblestones after a solitary feat. The Tuscan, the last Italian winner of the French race, tells Fantacycling what race we have to wait for Sunday and his wonderful memories.

“ The weather forecasts say rain, so it will be an unpredictable race - explains Tafi - with the mud making a comeback after a long time. Then it is an unusual Roubaix that takes place in October, I think it will be necessary to see who still has gasoline in their legs after such an intense season. The men of the north, Belgians and Dutch , have an advantage but I foresee an open race. The riders must be concentrated from start to finish ” .

The obligatory favorites are Wout Van Aert and Mathieu Van der Poel : “ I agree because they have the experience of cyclocross in their favor. Pidcock could also have done well but perhaps he is too 'light' for this type of route. What is certain is that whoever faces Roubaix must feel those roads in their hearts ” .

Then there are the Italians : “Why haven't we won Paris-Roubaix for so long? If we had a World Tour team it would be easier - continues the former Mapei rider, who has raced on the cobblestones twelve times - maybe we will be able to dispel this taboo. I believe that Davide Ballerini and Matteo Trentin can aspire to a good result, in particular the first one who is in a team of great value ”.

For Andrea Tafi, the Roubaix was not just any race: “ Even if I wasn't feeling well, I always wanted to be at the start. I've done the Milano-Sanremo 15 times but it's something different since I was little and I saw my idol Francesco Moser win in France. I won by making many sacrifices and sacrifices. But I did it willingly ”.

Each sector of cobblestones has a history. Tafi will never forget what happened at the Carrefour de l'Arbre : “ I was in the lead and I got a puncture. I thought I would not make it but when I saw a spectator with a Mapei cap and two wheels in his hand, I realized that I was not alone. He was in crisis, so I reassured him by telling him that I would change the wheel myself. I left with even more strength and reached the velodrome where even the French chanted my name ”.

Today Tafi , after 17 years as a professional, is an entrepreneur in the tourism sector: “With those who come to visit us, we walk along some Tuscan roads and tell my experiences. Just this morning I was talking to two Dutch tourists from Flanders and Roubaix . And I'm leaving for Compiègne where I will attend the departure ” .

We close with the tips for our fantamanagers . Who to line up for Roubaix: “ I know I'm trivial but Van Aert and Van der Poel are up for grabs. For the blue colors I say Dancers . And then pay attention to Jasper Stuyven , he's going very fast ”.

Lorenzo Lucon - Fantacycling Team

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