Steve Bauer Remembers Roubaix ’90: The Closest Roubaix Ever

Steve Bauer’s near-victory in the 1990 Paris-Roubaix remains one of the closest and most memorable finishes in cycling history. After more than seven hours of racing over 265.5 kilometres, including 55 kilometres of punishing cobbled sectors, Bauer and Belgian rider Eddy Planckaert arrived at the Roubaix velodrome neck and neck. The race culminated in a sprint decided by a mere centimetre, with Planckaert narrowly edging out Bauer in a finish that has since become legendary in the sport. Bauer’s reflection on the race highlights the strategic patience and timing that defined his approach that day. He credits Laurent Fignon’s aggressive racing for shaping the dynamics, allowing him to conserve energy and launch a well-timed attack at Cysoing. Despite feeling strongest at the Carrefour de l’Arbre, Bauer was unable to distance his rivals, leading to the dramatic sprint finale involving other notable riders such as Jean-Marie Wampers and Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle. The tense wait for the official result, which ultimately declared Planckaert the winner, underscored the razor-thin margin that separated the two. Drawing on his background as a criterium and track racer, Bauer described the velodrome finish as both iconic and exhilarating. His tactical move to ascend the banking and respond to Edwig Van Hooydonck’s attack gave him a slight advantage, but he admits that mistiming his bike throw at the line cost him the race. The intensity of the moment, combined with the physical and mental strain after such a grueling day, made perfect execution difficult, yet Bauer still regarded his sprint as a remarkable effort. Despite never clinching victory at Paris-Roubaix, Bauer views his 1990 second place as a career highlight that exemplifies the race’s unique blend of challenge and prestige. Over eleven participations, he consistently competed at the highest level, securing several top-ten finishes and demonstrating his intent to win rather than simply support others. Bauer’s perspective emphasises that Roubaix’s enduring appeal lies not only with its winners but also with the stories of those who came agonisingly close. Since retiring in 1996, Bauer has witnessed the evolution of Paris-Roubaix, noting the dominance of powerful teams such as Mapei in the mid-1990s and the continued prominence of top contenders in recent years. His reflections serve as a reminder of the race’s enduring status as a battleground where strength, strategy and resilience converge, and where even the narrowest margins can etch a rider’s name into cycling folklore.