Future cobbles challengers.

[Anderis]

Van Baarle seemed to have a decent first WT season. I wouldn't be surprised to see him doing regular top10 in cobbled races in the future. Not sure, if in 2015 already. But he seems to be a decent prospect for cobbles.

[Akuryo]

Since OPQS is a force at cobbles, I "predict", that either Trentin, Van Keirsbulck or Lampaert will win at least one monument in their career. Right now I would say probably Trentin, but I think Van Keirsbulck has huge potential. Lampaert is a longshot at the moment. But we'll see.

[EvansIsTheBest]

I agree with Senechal, he is certainly one for the future although he is still very young so he might need 1 more year before really stepping up, nontheless he was very impressive on the cobbles in 2014.

I strongly believe Sénéchal is going to be the next superstar on the cobbles. I don't expect to see him winning a monument or even a smaller cobbled classic next year but I expect to see him at least notch a couple of top tens. He'll be 21 during the next spring campaign which is the same age as Boonen when he did his first great ride at Roubaix, so it will be interesting to see how they both compare at the same age. Of course, Boonen is unique both because of his precocity and his record on the cobbles, but still, if Sénéchal really is world class, we won't have to wait a couple of years before he starts delivering some big results.

[Maaaaaaaarten]

I think Dillier has a lot of potential in cobbled races and in general. He seems similar to Cancellara in some ways, though I'm not necessarily suggested he will be that good.

[Ricco']

What do you think about Van Keirsbulck? Might step up to the next level or Quick Step depth in the classics might prevent him from achieving that class in the near future?

[trevim]

I think Dillier has a lot of potential in cobbled races and in general. He seems similar to Cancellara in some ways, though I'm not necessarily suggested he will be that good.

Dillier seems to have a kiler instinct and that gets you a long way in the classics. He looks quite all rounded but I guess he'll focus more on hills and Flanders than Roubaix, at least for now. One of my favourites, just like the guy below.

What do you think about Van Keirsbulck? Might step up to the next level or Quick Step depth in the classics might prevent him from achieving that class in the near future?

He packs a decent sprint which is a good skill to have and I believe he can develop into a Van Summeren / Terpstra level, meaning he can win a big one with decent tactics. He has shown a lot in smaller cobbled races but it's hard to prove himself in monuments with the teams Quickstep fields every year. Maybe he can be 3rd or 4rd in line behind Boonen, Terpstra and Stybar in Roubaix. Although there are still Trentin and Vandenbergh. What a freakin' team!!

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Dillier seems to have a kiler instinct and that gets you a long way in the classics. He looks quite all rounded but I guess he'll focus more on hills and Flanders than Roubaix, at least for now. One of my favourites, just like the guy below.

I don't know about that; I haven't heard anything about what his plans are, but this year he didn't do Ardennes or GdL, but he did do all cobbled classics. But he does seem to be very all-round, that's why I compared him to Cance.

[Libertine Seguros]

At some point in the future perhaps Mathieu van der Poel. His results on the road may suggest more of a hilly kind of rider so far, but his 'cross background will surely help with at least races like RVV.

I'm rather surprised Antoine Demoitié hasn't moved up from Wallonie-Bruxelles yet.

[trevim]

I don't know about that; I haven't heard anything about what his plans are, but this year he didn't do Ardennes or GdL, but he did do all cobbled classics. But he does seem to be very all-round, that's why I compared him to Cance.

Yeah you're quite right but I don't see him as a pure rouleur type; I think the best suited monument for him is probably Flanders. I see him more as a Gallopin type with an attacking nature. We'll see how he does, he should get some opportunities this spring considering Phinney's condition, Hushovd's retirement and Gilbert's focus on the Ardennes.
It's still accurate to compare him with Canc although it may add a little bit of pressure on him. I think Stefan Kung will be the one that has to deal with that pressure considering he's seems more focused on TT's.

[Maaaaaaaarten]

At some point in the future perhaps Mathieu van der Poel. His results on the road may suggest more of a hilly kind of rider so far, but his 'cross background will surely help with at least races like RVV.

Yeah, but Mathieu is a future challenger for every race under the sun.

Anyway, his daddy was actually a challenger for every classic under the sun and I reckon it might be the same for Mathieu. But currently he is focusing on CX where he was very strong and got a 2nd place today with the pro's.

[Amsterdam]

I'm looking forward to see Gallopin next season. He was strong at the worlds. Maybe he can surprise in Flanders. Keukeleire and LeBon are also ready to take a step.

[Echoes]

Yeah, but Mathieu is a future challenger for every race under the sun.

Anyway, his daddy was actually a challenger for every classic under the sun and I reckon it might be the same for Mathieu. But currently he is focusing on CX where he was very strong and got a 2nd place today with the pro's.

Eheh what a fanboy you are, Marty.

But I think since the Novice and Junior categories, Mathieu has always been at his best in hilly races on the road. So for example, in 2011, when he was still a novice, he won the climb race Herzé-Aywaille in the Ardennes. And then, the General Patton race in Luxembourg (2013), or the Omloop van de Maasvallei in 2012, both as juniors. Quite hilly too!



I haven't seen much of him on the cobbles yet (well when I think of cobbles, I'm thinking of Paris-Roubaix. the Flemish Ardennes are crypto-asphalt for me, lol).

Adrianus was heavier than him (for cobbles), if I'm not mistaken. I remember him as a rider, though only his past prime years.

[Gloin22]

I'd also like to add complete ''dark horse' too be a future challenger, but he had very impressive first season as neo pro. Stig Broeckx, powerhouse flat rider.

42nd Ronde, 58th Roubaix. To even finish these on first try is monumental, to finish decently well, well shows good potential

[trevim]

I'd also like to add complete ''dark horse' too be a future challenger, but he had very impressive first season as neo pro. Stig Broeckx, powerhouse flat rider.

42nd Ronde, 58th Roubaix. To even finish these on first try is monumental, to finish decently well, well shows good potential

Pretty much like Van Baarle, really solid on the 1st attempt:

13/04/2014 1.WT1 Fra 64 Paris - Roubaix 5
6/04/2014 1.WT1 Bel 89 Ronde van Vlaanderen 5
30/03/2014 1.WT2 Bel 45 Gent - Wevelgem 5
28/03/2014 1.WT2 Bel 58 E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke 5

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Eheh what a fanboy you are, Marty.

But I think since the Novice and Junior categories, Mathieu has always been at his best in hilly races on the road. So for example, in 2011, when he was still a novice, he won the climb race Herzé-Aywaille in the Ardennes. And then, the General Patton race in Luxembourg (2013), or the Omloop van de Maasvallei in 2012, both as juniors. Quite hilly too!

I haven't seen much of him on the cobbles yet (well when I think of cobbles, I'm thinking of Paris-Roubaix. the Flemish Ardennes are crypto-asphalt for me, lol).

Adrianus was heavier than him (for cobbles), if I'm not mistaken. I remember him as a rider, though only his past prime years.

I guess this is true, but I think he might be able to manage because of his CX skill. Styby isn't very heavy either, but he did quite well in PR in 2013. Also looking it up on the internet, it appears Adri's weight was 70kg. I can't find Mathieu's weight, but I think he is 185cm tall, so he shouldn't be too light himself.

Anyway, you are right, we didn't see him on cobbles so far, so we won't know for sure until we see him ride Roubaix.

[Echoes]

wow I didn't realise Mathieu was so tall. He might give it a go, then. Perhaps he's grown up since this pic:D : http://1.gvacdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/arch/2012/01/31/2138377/mathieu-van-der-poel-gehuldigd-op-beukenhof-fotospecial-id2536620-1000x800-n.jpg

I was really surprised actually when I saw Stybar performing in Paris-Roubaix. I thought that Flanders suited him better but among the crossers, he's one of the heaviest, I think. It's a misconception that Paris-Roubaix is the best road race for cyclocrossers. They might have an advantage regarding technique but basically in cross lightweights are favoured and in Paris-Roubaix, heavyweights are favoured. Of course there are exceptions.

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Wow, I didn't know this, but you're right, looking up the weight of the crossers they're all >70kg

Boom is heavier of course, but I think he actually got some extra muscle mass for the sake of Roubaix in recent years. When he started focusing on the road, his climbing was much better than it is now, but I guess his focus on the cobbles has made him gain some weight.

Also, the average height in the Netherlands for males between 20-30 is 183cm (this makes us the tallest nation in the world), so relatively speaking Mathieu isn't that tall.

Anyway are there any young riders you think might have some potential to be a contender on the cobbles?

[Pentacycle]

Petr Vakoc and Julien Alaphilippe.

[Echoes]

Wow, I didn't know this, but you're right, looking up the weight of the crossers they're all >70kg

In the mud, the heavyweights are digging trenches. ;) Friend of mine is a rather heavyweight amateur rider, he rode a cross one day and that is what he told me. However he loves the cobbles. If I remember well, Boom was at his best when the parcours was dry and not too "draaien en keren".

Anyway are there any young riders you think might have some potential to be a contender on the cobbles?

Most of them have already been named, I think. Jasper Stuyven, anyone?

[Flamin]

I was really surprised actually when I saw Stybar performing in Paris-Roubaix. I thought that Flanders suited him better but among the crossers, he's one of the heaviest, I think. It's a misconception that Paris-Roubaix is the best road race for cyclocrossers. They might have an advantage regarding technique but basically in cross lightweights are favoured and in Paris-Roubaix, heavyweights are favoured. Of course there are exceptions.

Yeah, Paterberg should be the perfect hill for Stybar, but as in most cases, it takes a bit longer for riders to perform in Flanders than in Paris-Roubaix.

Wow, I didn't know this, but you're right, looking up the weight of the crossers they're all <70kg

Really? these guys are super lean, especially for a winter sport. A 'powerhouse' (in cx) like Nys weighs only 70kg.