"I thought it would stay with dreams, because most dreams are deceptions" - Alison Jackson sees dream come true at Paris-Roubaix Femmes

Alison Jackson was best known in the peloton until today as a popular dancer and likeable figure, however her career has taken a 180 degree turn this Saturday, as she became the new champion of Paris-Roubaix Femmes in a dramatic race.

“When I came here with the reconnaissance on the course, I dreamed of winning. But I thought it would stay with dreams, because most dreams are deceptions. That makes it even more incredible that it worked out,," the Canadian rider said in the flash interview.

Second at the Clásica de Almeria this year, she had shown the potential in a sprint. Jackson was part of a very large breakaway that went up the road, and as the group slowly lost riders throughout the race, Jackson held on tough. The chase in the peloton was frequently disrupted by crashes and eventually a large group was also present in the back.

Jackson couldn't drop her breakaway companions in the cobbled sectors and the final kilometers, but as the group survived the chase of the peloton she was in contention for the race win. “I didn't have to wait to achieve that. I wanted to be part of an early move and make the race. That way you can also more easily avoid chaos and bad luck.”

And in the final sprint, she achieved what she could barely dream of. “In the final we came forward with seven, but only four ladies wanted to ride. Then I thought: either I don't participate and we are taken back anyway, or I ride full and you at least have a chance of winning," she described the dramatic finale. "Fortunately I had a free track in the sprint. It is always a special feeling to win, but even more so here on this iconic track."

Jackson was the fastest sprinter out of the six riders in front, and effective beat Katia Ragusa and Marthe Truyen. It was a very emotional win with plenty riders congratulating her, and it has become the greatest achievement of a long career in the peloton.