109th Paris-Roubaix. The Hell of the North.

[Jamsque]

Incredible that Geraint Thomas, who last year was "just another domestique" on the road, is now suddenly mentioned amongst the favorites for P-R. That is some serious progression. I don't think he can hope for better than a top 15, though.

He's showed promise for a long time, and he was far from 'just another domestique' last year. Sure, his only win was UK nationals, but he put in solid rides all season. He was 2nd on the Roubaix stage at the Tour de France, 21st overall at the Dauphine, and he finished fifteenth or better in every single I.T.T. he rode, which shows just how consistent he was through the whole season.

He's only 24, he has along way still to progress. I sincerely hope that 2012 is the last year he spends any time on the track, because he has the chops to win some serious races on the road.

 

[maltiv]

He's showed promise for a long time, and he was far from 'just another domestique' last year. Sure, his only win was UK nationals, but he put in solid rides all season. He was 2nd on the Roubaix stage at the Tour de France, 21st overall at the Dauphine, and he finished fifteenth or better in every single I.T.T. he rode, which shows just how consistent he was through the whole season.

He's only 24, he has along way still to progress. I sincerely hope that 2012 is the last year he spends any time on the track, because he has the chops to win some serious races on the road.

Funny that all the results you mention are less than a year ago. By last year I meant exactly 1 year ago. Since then he has progressed enormously.

 

[beer_thirty]

I want Flecha to win and I think he can do it.
He deserves it after all these years and seems to be very fit.

I predict Boonen, Cancellara, Flecha, Hushovd and Ballan fighting it out - more or less

I think Hincapie is going to be there as well; based on Sunday, and the fact both Georgie and Ballan have had good rides in Roubaix in the past, BMC should have some very serious cards to play next Sunday. I would really love to see Hincapie take it before he climbs off for good; I think PR suits him better than Flanders and a sixth in RVV is a damn good result for him.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He's showed promise for a long time, and he was far from 'just another domestique' last year. Sure, his only win was UK nationals, but he put in solid rides all season. He was 2nd on the Roubaix stage at the Tour de France, 21st overall at the Dauphine, and he finished fifteenth or better in every single I.T.T. he rode, which shows just how consistent he was through the whole season.

He's only 24, he has along way still to progress. I sincerely hope that 2012 is the last year he spends any time on the track, because he has the chops to win some serious races on the road.

He seems to have a huge motor already at that age. And that's a serious advantage. He can become world class. Then again, it's always waiting wether they make that final step or not.

Take for instance Burghardt, at young age already very good, going with Boonen on the climbs, big prospect for RVV, but now regressing...

 

[BM1979]

He's showed promise for a long time, and he was far from 'just another domestique' last year. Sure, his only win was UK nationals, but he put in solid rides all season. He was 2nd on the Roubaix stage at the Tour de France, 21st overall at the Dauphine, and he finished fifteenth or better in every single I.T.T. he rode, which shows just how consistent he was through the whole season.

He's only 24, he has along way still to progress. I sincerely hope that 2012 is the last year he spends any time on the track, because he has the chops to win some serious races on the road.

I think Thomas is riding out of his skin but i dont take much out of that Tour Stage. It was a cobbled stage but it was about protecting the team leaders, Andy Schleck was in the front group wasn't he.

Im not trying to discredit Thomas at all i just think using that stage as an example is a bit redundant.

He was up there with ride of the day at Flanders though and cant wait to see when his team is riding for him in a couple of years.

PS My money is on Boonen or Ballan this year , would love Hincapie to finally win one though

 

[auscyclefan94]

My early picks...

Cancellara
Ballan
Flecha

 

[Jamsque]

I think Thomas is riding out of his skin but i dont take much out of that Tour Stage. It was a cobbled stage but it was about protecting the team leaders, Andy Schleck was in the front group wasn't he.

Im not trying to discredit Thomas at all i just think using that stage as an example is a bit redundant.

I promise to stop banging the Super G drum after this, but I do want to say that the tour stage WAS a big deal. It blew the race to pieces, Andy Schleck was only in the lead group because Cancellara dragged him all the way across the cobbles. Apart from those two and Thomas the only others who made the selection were Evans, Hesjedal and Hushovd. That is an elite group of riders for a then-23 year old to be in on such a tough stage. It's easy to forget because of chaingate and other stuff later in the race, but Contador nearly lost the Tour that day, he got caught out, had to chase on his own, and lost over a minute to Andy.

And now I am DONE talking about Thomas the Tank Engine.


Let's talk about BMC. Can they put on the same type of show as they did at De Ronde? Ballan looked much stronger than I expected, and Hincapie was invisible most of the day but showed up at the end when it mattered. They really put themselves up with Quick Step and Sky as one of the strongest all-round squads for the classics.

 

[Anonymous]

Seems to me they all (Flecha, Thomas, EBH, Hayman, Stannard) have the prerogative to ride as aggressively or as passively as they like.

As impressive as G was at the weekend, I'd still expect Flecha to finished ahead of him 8 out of 10 times at Roubaix.

Wouldnt surprise me if they tried to put Wiggins in the early break so that he could be there for support for Thomas and Flecha later in the race. Stannard, Hayman, and Hunt as support for as long as they can for Thomas/Flecha and EbH given a free role.

The big key for Sky will be if Hayman rides. If his wife has the baby then they need to bring someone else in. Not sure who the reserves are, possibly swift after he was drafted in last weekend (which I think would be a bad move), Hendo and Sutton are both riding Schelderprisj in midweek and may travel. Personally Id have super domestique Russ Downing on standby.

 

[mustachestaff]

I'd like to see Thor come through with a win, but I don't think he's in shape for it. Is it just the white jersey, or is he looking a little overweight this year?

 

[The Hitch]

I really believe that Cancellara will not mess this up. No sir. He will enter the Roubaix velodrome first and he will be alone. This time there will be no peloton and this time he wont make the same mistake. Even at Flanders, despite 40k tt he still managed to break away from all but Chav and Nuyens at the end.

So if it does come down to final few k on sunday, make no mistake, he WILL be able to drop whoever is following him.

I promise to stop banging the Super G drum after this, but I do want to say that the tour stage WAS a big deal. It blew the race to pieces, Andy Schleck was only in the lead group because Cancellara dragged him all the way across the cobbles. Apart from those two and Thomas the only others who made the selection were Evans, Hesjedal and Hushovd. That is an elite group of riders for a then-23 year old to be in on such a tough stage. It's easy to forget because of chaingate and other stuff later in the race, but Contador nearly lost the Tour that day, he got caught out, had to chase on his own, and lost over a minute to Andy.

And now I am DONE talking about Thomas the Tank Engine.

Talk about him all you like. I too believe he will be a good cobbles rider. His performance at Flanders and that other race (dont remember which one) prove it.

But as far as the Tour stage goes, most cobbled riders were off form by then. Some never turned up. Even Canc was on the way down, but since its Canc he was still good enough.

Also many people who might have shown something got caught behind the Frank Schleck sacrifice.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Why should it be? Last year was awesome too. A clear hierarchy as always in Paris-Roubaix. Some editions might be more disappointing than others but in the end it's always the greatest race in the calendar.


And I agree with Beer Thirty (*** Tonk Time). I don't understand this fuss about the weather in Paris-Roubaix. I personally wish bad weather for races such as Paris-Tours or the Tour of Flanders. About Roubaix, I might contend with a hot sunny day, it's always great. I also remember this 2006 edition. Devolder atttacking on a section and getting out of a huge dust cloud. Wonderful to watch. A real muddy and rainy Paris-Roubaix would just be the cherry on the cake.

last year was poor, I agree spartacus made an impressive attack. But behind the riders - other then - Boonen excluded - just accepted the win was gone, and rather then chase the guy winning, followed the only guy trying to chase.
It was a disappointing edition.

I agree that the canc wont mess this one up.

 

[Jukebox]

I think Fabian will be out for blood after De Ronde, Ballan, Boonen, Chavanel are the guys I see as able to stick with him the best.

 

[Polka Dot]

Gilbert for me, he is looking very hungry for the win. If he makes the break then it's on!

 

[The Hitch]

Is Phil even riding. His big goals come up in the 7-14 days after Roubaix, and not even El Pistolero thinks he can win here, so why bother with a race known as "Hell of the North".

 

[blaxland]

My predictions are;
Cancellara
Ballan
Boonen

 

[Ferminal]

Boonen
Hoste
Eisel

Obviously this will not be my final prediction (take that game too seriously)

 

[Trevor FCR]

What time does the race start? (their time zone)

 

[beer_thirty]

My predictions are;
Cancellara
Boonen
Ballan

These are mine as well; I'd really love to see what Chavenal could
do riding for himself and getting more help, but it makes a lot
more sense to ride for Boonen this weekend than last and it'll cost
him the podium spot I think he is strong enough to get. He'll be better
than his 8th of 2009 though.

The rest then
Chavenal
Hincapie (yes, Hincapie! He'll be in the final, at least whatever final there is; depends on FC. )
Flecha
Thor

The usual suspects.

My sentimental pick FTW, though it would take an extraordinary series of events, Hincapie.

 

[beer_thirty]

Boonen
Hoste
Eisel

Obviously this will not be my final prediction (take that game too seriously)

No way man; this is like chess! You moved your piece, and that's that!

 

[Anonymous]

I can't help it, I want to see Hincapie win. I am going to pick him and stand behind him. I will take whatever heat comes my way for writing that, but I think this is the year the miracle happens.

 

[beer_thirty]

I can't help it, I want to see Hincapie win. I am going to pick him and stand behind him. I will take whatever heat comes my way for writing that, but I think this is the year the miracle happens.

I don't know if I have your guts on this one, but for some inexplicable reason I am strongly feeling the same thing. It would take just the right circumstances, and the the old Hincapie hesitation would have to be gone; he has to realize even though he's going to race one more year, he may never again have the legs he appears to have right now. If he sees his chance, he's gotta go. No looking back, no waiting. Only way it happens. But somehow I think he's going to get his shot.

Still, you're more man than I; leaving him as my sentimental favorite still gives me an out!

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Is Phil even riding. His big goals come up in the 7-14 days after Roubaix, and not even El Pistolero thinks he can win here, so why bother with a race known as "Hell of the North".

I don't think he's riding. Said sunday after the race from now on all his focus will go on ardennes/amstel.

 

[boomcie]

Gilbert for me, he is looking very hungry for the win. If he makes the break then it's on!

Is Phil even riding. His big goals come up in the 7-14 days after Roubaix, and not even El Pistolero thinks he can win here, so why bother with a race known as "Hell of the North".

He will not be riding it. Focus on the Ardennes.

 

[Jamsque]

Boonen
Hoste
Eisel

Obviously this will not be my final prediction (take that game too seriously)

Hoste? Really? REALLY? The only time I have heard his name spoken so far this classics season was when he fell off.

 

[Ferminal]

Hoste? Really? REALLY? The only time I have heard his name spoken so far this classics season was when he fell off.

Random prediction on Tuesday =/= where I'd put my money on the weekend.

But yeh, I think he will make a bigger appearance Sunday than he has done elsewhere the last month.