2013, Paris - Roubaix: 254Km

[The Principal Sheep]

I hope for a battle of the giants rather than a breakaway win, but probably Cancellara is the one who gets it in the end.

But what giants are there? we have been robbed of this and now Cancellara stands as the lone goliath against a peloton of Davids.

I find myself increasingly resenting Cancellara and wishing that anyone but he be victorious which is ridiculous and instead I should be pleased to witness a rider with such outstanding ability.

With that said I'll be cheering on a David this Sunday all the same...

 

[serfla]

I'd say that poll results are well reflecting general atmosphere in the cycling world, including the Sunday's field. So in a setup like that, I have a feeling that if Cancellara would have a puncture, a mechanical, or any other kind of mishap which would give opportunity to eliminate him from the race - the peloton would be surprised, hesitate and miss the opportunity, allowing him to get back and win anyway.
Barring the incident, I can hardly imagine the winner other than Cancellara. Even a scenario 2011 alike is little possible, 'cause the team is significantly better (as we've seen in De Ronde) and this time around I can't see a guy who can hang on on his wheel like Hushovd did then.
The chocolate double looks certain.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

I can see Cancellara attacking with Boasson Hagen on his wheel about 30km from the finish. Cancellara will win by three minutes and Boasson Hagen will finish 25th.

 

[will10]

A lot will depend on Cancellara's team. If he's isolated then anyone could win. If they are as strong as last week, and Fabian's crash hasn't affected him too heavily, then it will be a procession.

 

[UselessToo]

1.Cancellara 2.Gaudin 3.Vandenbergh

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

***** Langeveld
**** Boom, Terpstra
*** Maaskant, Tjallingi, Veelers
** Bol, Tankink, De Kort, Lindeman, Sinkeldam
* Flens, Mouris, Curvers, Stamsnijder, Kreder, Van Poppel

 

[jens_attacks]

cancellara will win it easily i guess barring any bad luck

still...
allez gaudin!!!

a future monster for this race

 

[Der Effe]

Boom, obviously.

 

[ILovecycling]

It is so boring to vote Fabian,so I say Chava!

 

[maltiv]

I can see Cancellara attacking with Boasson Hagen on his wheel about 30km from the finish. Cancellara will win by three minutes and Boasson Hagen will finish 25th.

Probably this, except than when EBH cracks, he goes all in, so 25th is a bit optimistic imo. Last year he was in the lead group of 15 or so with 20 km to go and finished all the way back in 53th...

The interview with Hayman on CN indicates that Sky have learnt something though, or at least he has. Perhaps they'll realize that they can't ride as if they're the strongest when they're not even close. If they ride smartly they could get a lucky podium with either Stannard, EBH or Eisel.

I think Thomas is way too light for a good result in P-R, I can't remember ever seeing anyone at 70 kgs or below on the podium here.

 

[woodenswan]

i see a nice DNF for Gaudin

 

[Lanark]

Probably this, except than when EBH cracks, he goes all in, so 25th is a bit optimistic imo. Last year he was in the lead group of 15 or so with 20 km to go and finished all the way back in 53th...

The interview with Hayman on CN indicates that Sky have learnt something though, or at least he has. Perhaps they'll realize that they can't ride as if they're the strongest when they're not even close. If they ride smartly they could get a lucky podium with either Stannard, EBH or Eisel.

I think Thomas is way too light for a good result in P-R, I can't remember ever seeing anyone at 70 kgs or below on the podium here.

Peter van Petegem, but he was on a very different level than Thomas, so not really comparable.

 

[will10]

I think Thomas is way too light for a good result in P-R, I can't remember ever seeing anyone at 70 kgs or below on the podium here.

The only one I can think of is Hammond, he was consistantly good at Roubaix and IIRC was c.70kg.

 

[cineteq]

Other: Taylor Phinney

 

[Netserk]

Phinney _O_


or Europcar...

 

[Der Effe]

Cancellara just crashed in a training ride.

 

[Netserk]

Can't wait for Sunday.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Cancellara just crashed in a training ride.

Do you mean scheldeprijs, or did he crash again?

 

[serfla]

Cancellara just crashed in a training ride.

You mean yesterday in Scheldeprijs?

 

[Netserk]

Do you mean scheldeprijs, or did he crash again?

He wrote training ride, not most important race in the world.

 

[Der Effe]

Do you mean scheldeprijs, or did he crash again?

Again.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwerel...oers&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=seeding

 

[maltiv]

Extremely accurate prediction of the top 5:

1. Cancellara
2. Phinney (+3 minutes)
3. Gaudin s.t
4. Turgot (+4 minutes)
5. Boom s.t

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Man Cancellara has kind off terrible luck too lately.....

I just hope it doesn't hinder him from doing well in Roubaix.

A Roubaix without Boonen and with Cancellara being crap because of a crash would be horrible......

 

[serfla]

Again.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwerel...oers&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=seeding

Doesn't sound too serious, but could sensitize him a bit before the Sunday.

 

[SKSemtex]

One more crash and Mr. Mariuzzo might change his opinion about Sagan´s starting here.