( CNN ) -- Swiss star Fabian Cancellara rode clear of the leading group to win the Paris Roubaix cycling classic on Sunday and complete a rare double having claimed the Tour of Flanders earlier this spring . The 'Hell of the North ' is traditionally an event for the strongmen of the sport who have to negotiate 27 sections of cobblestones and the reigning Olympic time trial champion perfectly fits the bill . He made his move on the 10th from last section of pave at Mons-en-Pevele , about 45km from the finish in the velodrome at Roubaix , quickly chasing down a small breakaway group before opening up a winning gap . Defending champion Tom Boonen of Belgium and the other leading contenders fatally hesitated in their efforts to chase down Saxo Bank 's Cancellara and their race was over . Cancellera crossed the line alone for his second Paris-Roubaix win and only the 10th man to complete the double with Flanders . Norwegian Thor Hushovd beat Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha for the runners-up spot in a sprint finish , the pair having finally given chase to Cancellara but too little too late . Last week Cancellara became the first Swiss since Heiri Suter in 1923 to win at Flanders . Cancellara was winning his fourth major one-day classic with Milan-San Remo in 2006 , two at Paris-Roubaix ( 2006 and 2010 ) and this year 's Tour of Flanders . I knew that with my form and the way the last weeks were going I would be difficult to catch once I took a 10 meter lead , that they would be scared , '' Cancellara told AFP at the finish of the 259km race .
Fabian Cancellara wins cycling 's Tour of the North with solo stage ride . Cancellara completes spring classics double having won Tour of Flanders . Former Paris Roubaix champion Tom Stevens finishes out of podium places . Norway 's Thor Hushovd beats José Antonio Flecha of Spain for second place .