Io Tifo Tafi
Paris-Roubaix World Cup 1999
Home
Tafi Cycling Camp
Latest News
Personal Info
Palmarés
Major Race Results
Classics and Tours
Fan Club Info
The Team Jerseys
Paris-Roubaix 2005, The Grand Finale
Photos- 2005 Season
Photos- 2004 Season
2004 Season News
The USA Races 2003
More 2003 Season Photos
Spring Classics 2003
Photos 2003 Season- CSC
2003 Season News
Tour of Flanders World Cup 2002
More 2002 Season Photos
Photos 2002 Season
Spring Classics 2002
Photos 2002 Season, Australia and Malaysia
2002 Season News
More 2001 Season Photos
Photos- 2001 Season
Paris-Tours World Cup 2000
Photos 1989-2000 Seasons
Paris-Roubaix World Cup 1999
Tour de France 1998
Italian National Champion 1998
Rochester World Cup 1997
Giro di Lombardia World Cup 1996
Links and Contact

The "Hell of the North" has always held a special appeal for the big Tuscan. Tafi's strong, powerful style is especially suited for the mud, cobbles, wind and harsh conditions that are typically encountered in the Queen of the Classics.

It had always been Andrea's dream to win Paris-Roubaix...In 1999, with a memorable solo win, his dream finally became reality!
 
"This morning Lefevere (Mapei DS) told me it was my turn and the team did a great job for me. Once again, Mapei showed we were a great team."

After reaching the podium twice before but not yet the top step (3rd in 96, 2nd in 98), Tafi followed his idol Francesco Moser, who also won Paris-Roubaix while wearing the Italian Champion's Jersey in 1980. Tafi noted the fact later: "When I was about the same age as Tommaso (his son) in 1980, I saw Moser win with the Italian colors on his back and I really wanted to do the same this year."

All winners of Paris-Roubaix receive the famous cobble trophy. Andrea keeps his in sight of the dinner table to remind him of his goals. He received another cobble from the race organizers to build into his new villa. It was given as a token of his courageous performances and recognition of his great admiration and respect for the Queen of The Classics.


Solo break and on the way to victory!


Turning on the power

Paris-Roubaix Website Link

Click on the cobbles to the left to go to the latest version of the Official Paris-Roubaix Website


Solo win in the Tricolore

1. Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 6.44.15
2. Wilfried Peeters (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 2.14
3. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 2.26
4. George Hincapie (USA) US Postal Service 2.26
5. Jo Planckaert (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 2.26
6. Leon Van Bon (Ned) Rabobank 2.26
7. Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Cofidis 2.26
8. Andrei Tchmil (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 2.40
9. Johan Museeuw (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 2.40
10. Lars Michaelsen (Den) La Française des Jeux 2.53


The Man and his Rock

Read Samuel Abt's account of the race here

You can read International Herald Tribune writer Samuel Abt's account of the race by clicking on the link above. Note his error in placing Franco Ballerini on the podium in 3rd in the somewhat controversial Mapei sweep in 1996, when it was actually Gianluca Bortolami.


Another Mapei sweep! Tafi, Peeters and Steels