Küng wraps off breakthrough classics campaign with podium in Roubaix: "It is a great achievement"

Stefan Küng has built his career around the time-trials, however after some years of transition, he's shown his full cobbled classics potential in this spring, having yesterday's podium at Paris-Roubaix as the highlight.

12th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, third at E3 Saxo Bank Classic, sixth at Dwars door Vlaanderen, fifth at the Tour des Flandres, eighth at Amstel Gold Race and finally this podium spot at Paris-Roubaix have cemented the Groupama - FDJ rider as one of the most successful riders of the spring. He entered the French classic as one of the pre-race favourites, but despite being caught out in the early split, he managed to get back to the front of the race together with the likes of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel for example, and keep himself in the front until the decisive final section of the race.

“We tried to go away in Mons-en-Pévèle, but then it was a bit of a tactical game, and three guys made the most of it. Everyone was on the limit. There were a lot of attacks at that point, I also went several times, but it is impossible to cover every move," Küng said after the finish.

The move that seen Küng enter the battle for the podium came with 23 kilometers to go as he followed Wout van Aert and then together reeled in everyone who was in front besides eventual winner Dylan van Baarle: "I knew we had to move somewhere, and I saw that Wout was very strong... Physically I felt really good, and we were able to catch the guys located in-between to remain in contention for the podium”.

Despite not being a rider known for his sprint, at the end of such a brutal race day that can easily change. The Swiss had the legs, and managed to sprint onto the podium, his first in a monument: “We were all at the end of our rope. I looked at their faces and I could tell they were as tired as I was... So, I came from behind with momentum, and it was also a mental battle from then on. I didn’t manage to make Van Aert crack, but it was enough to finish on the podium”.

“I’m proud of my race today, and I want to say a big thank you to my team who allowed me to turn things around. The guys did a great job, so a big shout-out to them and the whole team. Personally, I had a very good Classics campaign, but getting on the podium here in Paris-Roubaix is something really special. It is a great achievement... I’m going to put this small cobblestone in my living room, and when I’ll have a look at it, I’ll remember that there’s still his big brother to go for," he concluded. After a busy spring Küng will now undergo a recovery period before refocusing on his summer goals which will revolve around the Tour de France.