Fabian Cancellara, and the Cobbled Rites of Spring...

Continuing in the tradition of some of the sports greatest by carrying form from race to race, victory to victory across the Low Countries of Europe, the man nicknamed Spartacus slew all opponents for a third straight week. Beginning at the E3 Harelbeke, followed by the Ronde van Vlaanderen and now this morning, Paris-Roubaix, Fabian Cancellara has once again proven his worth to bear the name of the legendary ancient Roman gladiator. Spartacus indeed. I don't believe there is any doubt that effort was drained, and left along each successive mile of the race route. You could feel it as an empty body sprawled on the Roubaix velodrome infield, see the deficiency in the face, and hear it in the voice of Cancellara during the post-race interview.

Octave Lapize, Gaston Rebry, Rik van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser, Johan Museeuw, some of the sports greatest names, each a three-time winner of Paris-Roubaix*. Now, with his third victory, the name Fabian Cancellara shall be inscribed amongst the famed cobbles as well. Congratulations are duly given.

*Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen have won four times each.