Every US rider to race Paris-Roubaix: Pavé and the pioneers, Part 1
This article originally appeared on Velo News
Paris-Roubaix is known by many names, and the iconic and brutal cobblestones of northern France fill the pages of cycling history.
The one-day rumble across the unforgiving pave of the rural farm roads is unique in cycling. The race is one of the oldest and prestigious in men’s racing, and since its premier in 2021, the Paris-Roubaix Femmes is right at the top of any rider’s wish-list.
Across the decades, more than 60 U.S. men and women have started the “Hell of the North.” Saturday and Sunday will see a few more debutants added to the list.
Also read:
For U.S. riders, the race is at once a dream and an albatross -- no U.S. rider has yet to win.
George Hincapie with second in 2005 is the best U.S. result and the only U.S. podium in the race’s century-plus history. Leah Thomas with 12th in 2021 is the best by a U.S. woman so far.
In a three-part series, VeloNews dives into the history books to look back at every U.S. rider to start Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes.
In part 1, we look at the first wave of riders who busted onto the European scene, the birth of the 7-Eleven and Motorola teams, and their first experiences with the “Hell of the North.”
Riders are listed in chronological order of their first start:
Check VeloNews tomorrow for Part 2.
Every US rider to race Paris-Roubaix: The Pioneers
Jonathan Boyer -- 3 starts (1982, 18th; 1986, DNF; 1987, OTL): Like many American cycling milestones in Europe, Boyer was often the first. He was the first U.S. rider to land a European contract in the modern era, and the first American to finish the Tour de France. After working in Rwanda and facing criminal charges in the U.S., Boyer currently resides in Wyoming.
Greg Lemond -- 4 starts (1985, 4th; 1986, 30th; 1991, 55th; 1992, 9th): Who says grand tour riders cannot perform well at Roubaix? The pioneering U.S. legend raced four times across the pave, and finished fourth in his first start in 1985. After returning from a hunting accident that nearly killed him, he raced Roubaix again in 1991 and 1992. His 1986 fourth place was the best by a U.S. male until Hincapie’s podium more than a decade later.
Doug Shapiro -- 2 starts (1985, 1986): Another one of the early members of the 7-Eleven team, he actually rode his first Roubaix with Kwantum-Decosol, where he was teammates with Adrie van der Poel and Joop Zoetemelk. He started the next year in his move back to 7-Eleven. He owns Shapiro & Associates, a witness service for bicycle-related injuries.
Jeff Bradley -- 1 start: Another former speed skater who transitioned into bike racing, he also raced the 1987 Tour de France.
Chris Carmichael -- 1 start (1986): He rode three seasons with 7-Eleven, but an injury cut short his pro career. He later founded Carmichael Training Systems in 2000, and stepped down as CEO in 2022.
Ron Kiefel -- 3 starts (1986, 1987, 1988): One of the stalwarts of the 7-Eleven team, Kiefel finished three editions of Roubaix, with exact results unconfirmed. Among his victories were the Trofeo Laigueglia and a stage at the Giro d’Italia, both in 1985 in the team’s first season in Europe. He ran his family’s bike shop for years.
Davis Phinney -- 3 starts (1986, 1989, 1990): Phinney was the star of American cycling (after Eric Heiden, who never raced Roubaix), and won two Tour de France stages, and the Coors Classic, among his many career highlights. He’s been suffering with Parkinson’s disease for two decades, and started the Davis Phinney Foundation.
Bob Roll -- 5 starts (1986, 55th; 1987, OTL; 1988, 25th; 1989, 37th, 1990, 61st): The first of the 7-Eleven generation to start the “Hell of the North,” Roll raced Roubaix five times, with his best with 25th in 1988. “Bobke” later raced mountain bikes, wrote books, and now works as a TV commentator.
Andrew Hampsten -- 1 start (1987, OTL): It’s hard to imagine the lean climber who is the only American to win the Giro d’Italia racing Roubaix. He only started once with 7-Eleven in 1987, and finished outside the time limit. Hampsten was obviously hard-wired for the towering peaks of Europe, not the gutter races of Belgium and France. After retiring in 1996, he’s operated a bike touring company and a bike brand.
Joe Parkin -- 1 start (1988, 74th): Parkin raced on both sides of the Atlantic in a storied career that he chronicled in his acclaimed books, A Dog in a Hat and Come and Gone.
Roy Knickman -- 1 start (1988, 65th): A stalwart of 7-Eleven and the Coors Light teams, Knickman later worked as a fireman, cycling coach, and sport director and manager at U.S. domestic teams. His Roubaix appearance was his only “monument” start of his career.
John Tomac -- 1 start (1990, 92nd): Tomac was racing across multiple disciplines long before the likes of Mathieu van der Poel or Tom Pidcock. The mountain bike legend raced on the road from 1988-1991, and finished 92nd in his lone Roubaix start in 1990. That same year he was 20th in Gent-Wevelgem, and he later founded Tomac Bicycles. His son is a noted motocross champion.
Frankie Andreu -- 9 starts (1990, 90th; 1992, 72nd; 1994, 9th; 1995, 29th; 1996, 25th; 1997, 43rd; 1998, OTL; 1999, 21st; 2000, 20th): Andreu raced nine editions of Roubaix among his 25 career monument starts, with a career-best 9th in 1995. His racing career spanned the era from 7-Eleven to Motorola and U.S. Postal Service, and later provided testimony in the USADA case. After retiring he’s remained active in cycling as a commentator, coach, and manager.
Norman Alvis -- 1 start (1990, 91st): Alvis raced one Roubaix during his pro career, and continues racing as an amateur.
Andy Bishop -- 2 starts (1991, 48th; 1992 64th): Bishop raced two editions during his stint at Motorola and later raced mountain bikes. After retiring, he’s worked as a cycling coach and as a professional photographer.
Nate Reiss -- 1 start (1993, 55th): After his racing career, Reiss works as a clinical psychotherapist.
Check VeloNews tomorrow for Part 2.
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