1981 Paris–Roubaix

The 1981 Paris–Roubaix was ultimately settled in a 6-man sprint on the velodrome in Roubaix with Bernard Hinault prevailing in front of former four times winner Roger De Vlaeminck and reigning three times winner Francesco Moser.

1981 Paris–Roubaix

Hinault finishing before De Vlaeminck and Moser
Race details
Dates	April 12, 1981
Stages	1
Distance	263 km (163.4 mi)
Winning time	6h 26' 07"
Results
Winner  Bernard Hinault (FRA) (Renault)   Second  Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL) (DAF Trucks)   Third  Francesco Moser (ITA) (Famcucine)
← 1980 1982 →

With about 8 kilometres to go, Bernard Hinault attempted to break away, but was hauled in by Hennie Kuiper acting for Roger De Vlaeminck. Bernard Hinault 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, Hennie Kuiper 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

	Cyclist	Team	Time
1	Bernard Hinault (FRA)	Renault–Elf–Gitane	6h 26'07"
2	Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL)	Daf–Côte d'Or–Gazelle	s.t.
3	Francesco Moser (ITA)	Famcucine–Moser	s.t.
4	Guido Van Calster (BEL)	Wickes–Splendor	s.t.
5	Marc Demeyer (BEL)	Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata	s.t.
6	Hennie Kuiper (NED)	Daf–Côte d'Or–Gazelle	s.t.
7	Ferdi Van Den Haute (BEL)	La Redoute	at 1'01
8	René Bittinger (FRA)	Miko–Mercier–Vivage	at 1'01
9	Jean Chassang (FRA)	Puch-Wolber	at 2'09
10	Fons De Wolf (BEL)	Vermeer–Thijs–Gios	at 2'35