By Gregor Brown in Compiègne, France
Heinrich Haussler is making one last push in the Spring Classics prior to a well-earned beach vacation. The Cervélo TestTeam rider finished an impressive second in two of cycling's Monuments, Milano-Sanremo and Ronde van Vlaanderen, but he refuses to give up before Sunday's Paris-Roubaix.
"I had my fame and fortune, and now I am ready help the team. However, you never know because I still feel okay. If I have a really good day I can be up there," the 25-year-old said to Cyclingnews.
Haussler came close to a win in Italy's Milano-Sanremo at the end of March. He hammered off the front of the peloton with 350 metres to go, but fell 11 centimetres shy to a speedy Mark Cavendish. Two weeks later in Ronde van Vlaanderen, he jumped off the front of the group win the sprint behind Stijn Devolder's solo escape.
"I think I have been holding my form longer than any rider in the peloton. I have nothing to change for next year, just to arrive at my peak a little later."
Haussler will help Cervélo teammates Thor Hushovd, Roger Hammond and Andreas Klier. If he is still in the front group after the Arenberg section the team will likely send him up the road to allow Hammond and Hushovd the freedom to mark the favourites.
He confirmed no injuries from his crash in Gent-Wevelgem on Wednesday. In fact, he called it a blessing so that he did not have to continue racing on the dismal day and save his strength for the Roubaix cobblestones.
