The 1981 Paris–Roubaix was ultimately settled in a 6-man sprint on the velodrome in Roubaix with

Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault (; born 14 November 1954) is a French former professional road bicycle racing, road cyclist. With 147 professional victories, including five times the Tour de France, he is often named among the greatest cyclists of all time. In ...

prevailing in front of former four times winner Roger De Vlaeminck and reigning three times winner

Francesco Moser Francesco Moser (, ; born 19 June 1951), nicknamed "Lo sceriffo" (The sheriff), is an Italian former professional road bicycle racer. He finished on the podium of the Giro d'Italia six times including his win in the 1984 edition. Moser was dom ...

. With about 8 kilometres to go,

attempted to break away, but was hauled in by

Hennie Kuiper Hendrikus Andreas "Hennie" Kuiper (born 3 February 1949) is a Dutch former professional road racing cyclist. His career includes a gold medal in the Olympic Road bicycle racing, road race at 1972 Summer Olympics, Munich in 1972, becoming world ...

acting for Roger De Vlaeminck.

then crashed with few kilometres to go, but quickly got on his bike and re-joined the front group before the last kilometre. In the velodrome,

took the lead to favour the sprint of De Vlaeminck. Hinault took charge with about a lap to go and initiated a long sprint. In the end, he was able to resist the charge from Roger De Vlaeminck, and became the first French winner of the Paris–Roubaix for 25 years.

Results

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1981 Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix Paris–Roubaix Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix