2014 Paris-Roubaix, 257 Km's, Sunday April 13th (1.UWT)

[Netserk]

Pace has a lot to do with how fast they go over the first 150k. It really doesn't tire people that much out if they do that distance say 20 minutes faster because they are concentrating rather than relaxing a bit.

Also the fact that there were big groups for all the time helped keep the pace high on the flat. The ones where everyone gets dropped by the favourites 50k out, those guys then take it easier, then there's small groups chasing eachother rather than the big ones we had today.

Still amazing that they did fastest out of the 108 editions, today, but total speed never tells that much.

They had headwind today. Did anyone really believe that it was the fastest ever

 

[VeloHuman]

He should give up on Roubaix I think.

But to my mind his performances in De Ronde have been considerably better than at Roubaix. He's usually thereabouts on the climbs, which I think is a better guide than where you are at the finish lines for minor places.

I really like EBH because he's so well-rounded, but I think he's throwing his talent at bike races he just isn't great in. Apart from one great win earlier in his career, the cobbles just don't seem to be his thing. I wish he'd shift his focus and start hunting stages/points jerseys in stage races. He's got that Sagan-style intermediate stage-winning talent, the ability to place highly on flat stages, and he can do a great time trial to boot.

 

[HyperMartin]

Well, I for one am quite disappointed an utter moron like Terpstra took the win.

No matter how gutsy a rider he is or how much he attacks in races, a cretin who pokes fun at a man on the brink of suicide is beneath contempt.

 

[Roderick]

I really like EBH because he's so well-rounded, but I think he's throwing his talent at bike races he just isn't great in. Apart from one great win earlier in his career, the cobbles just don't seem to be his thing. I wish he'd shift his focus and start hunting stages/points jerseys in stage races. He's got that Sagan-style intermediate stage-winning talent, the ability to place highly on flat stages, and he can do a great time trial to boot.

He could have won 5 WT-stages if he did Catalunya/ Pais Vasco in stead of the Flemish classics but apparently being beaten for a 21st place in a classic is more fun to him

 

[spanky wanderlust]

i hope somebody asks terpstra what he thinks about bradley wiggins' epic ride in the post-race interview.

the world wants to know!

 

[hfer07]

I really like EBH because he's so well-rounded, but I think he's throwing his talent at bike races he just isn't great in. Apart from one great win earlier in his career, the cobbles just don't seem to be his thing. I wish he'd shift his focus and start hunting stages/points jerseys in stage races. He's got that Sagan-style intermediate stage-winning talent, the ability to place highly on flat stages, and he can do a great time trial to boot.

blame SKY- they just don't know what to do with him, and in the process, his career is stalled because of it. EBH MUST change teams

 

[hidache]

Why are people disappointed in Vanmarcke? He was the only one of the big guys to attack multiple times on the cobbles and to try and bridge to Boonen. It isn't his fault that cancellara etc. didn't want to cooperate to close the gap... In a post race interview he said he was pretty disappointed because he was feeling good but no-one wanted to ride with him after he made a selection. He also said that he didn't chase terpstra because he would have everyone on his wheel, bring them all back and get countered by someone else.

 

[Trond Vidar]

De Backer covered attacks. Hushovd decided to help Boonen.

Perhaps. It might be my poor translation. "Be out front" might be a better use of words.

 

[VeloHuman]

He could have won 5 WT-stages if he did Catalunya/ Pais Vasco in stead of the Flemish classics but apparently being beaten for a 21st place in a classic is more fun to him

Exactly my thinking. Honestly, Sky should send him to the Giro and build their team around him going for points there. They don't really have any other plan anyway, and he could totally nab that jersey.

 

[Jaunty Monty]

blame SKY- they just don't know what to do with him, and in the process, his career is stalled because of it. EBH MUST change teams

Is it Sky or is it the rider? Do we know what his ambitions are? If he's not happy with the way the team use him then I'm sure he'll leave.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

There are other young and upcoming riders that deserve a monument way more than him (Vanmarcke, Sagan, Van Avermaet, etc.)

He was not the strongest by a long shot and was lucky that no-one even attempted to react to his attack. Sure, his acceleration was probably stronger than that of Sir Brad but everyone reacted to Wiggo immediately.

It was a lame end to a race and instead of getting a 'legendary' winner that we'll remember in 20-30 years we got Niki Terpstra.

http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/rider_palm.asp?riderid=2321&year=2014&all=0&current=0

Yeah, over 1000 CQ points already and we're just two weeks into april. Such a sucky winner.
Just shut up because the amount of nonsense coming out of crap coming out of you is too much for any toilet to handle

The race itself was meh, too tactical for my liking.. Cancellara didn't seem to have the legs. The headwind made other groups coming back.
Terpstra could have followed the last attack on Carrefour if Boom didn't fall and hold him up. So he was definately part of the strongest in the race. And he was the one attacking into headwind in the final part. And even with de Backer/Thomas riding full they only lost time.

Might have not been the best man in the race, but definately the best man in teh final 12km.

 

[yespatterns]

Hopefully ( assuming today's late race lack of Chase was due to tactics) lessons were learned by those who want to win as opposed to marking others to the point of their own detriment. Also, hopefully rain. Too many dry episodes lately.

 

[Arnout]

i hope somebody asks terpstra what he thinks about bradley wiggins' epic ride in the post-race interview.

the world wants to know!

Lol like Terpstra gives a f*** about that right now.

I think the weird tactics by Belkin made this race so weird and indecisive. They had numerical superiority nearly the entire race and never once were the first man in the race. That's just inexcusable. They closed down the race, then didn't do anything to open it in their favor.

First Dutch winner of a major classic in thirteen years by the way, since Knaven won this race in 2001. Funnily enough Terpstra did it in similar fashion.

 

[del1962]

Lol like Terpstra gives a f*** about that right now.

I think the weird tactics by Belkin made this race so weird and indecisive. They had numerical superiority nearly the entire race and never once were the first man in the race. That's just inexcusable. They closed down the race, then didn't do anything to open it in their favor.

First Dutch winner of a major classic in thirteen years by the way, since Knaven won this race in 2001. Funnily enough Terpstra did it in similar fashion.

Well done to Terpstra

As far as Belkin is concerned, I think the fact that Boom crashed late (I think it was Boom) left Vanmarcke isolated at the end didn't help.

 

[peloton]

Lol like Terpstra gives a f*** about that right now.

I think the weird tactics by Belkin made this race so weird and indecisive. They had numerical superiority nearly the entire race and never once were the first man in the race. That's just inexcusable. They closed down the race, then didn't do anything to open it in their favor.

First Dutch winner of a major classic in thirteen years by the way, since Knaven won this race in 2001. Funnily enough Terpstra did it in similar fashion.

Agree, Belkin's tactics were strange, very negative racing with the numbers they had.

Great win for Terpstra.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Boom was very insecure in corners (and it led to his fall). Vanmarcke was too afraid to keep racing in fear of being called 'dumb'.
As for Tankink, you can't blame him for not riding with Boonen and Hushovd.

The only thing I was annoyed at was when Belkin didn't ride when they had Tankink, Wynants and Boom in front and Cancellara was in the 2nd group. They should've gone 100% there.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Boonen had bike problems in the last 30-40 km's

lol his excuses again

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

lol his excuses again

John den Braber ‏@JohndenBraber 2h
‘Excuus..excuus..excuus..excuus…excuus…excuus..excuus’, aldus Tom Boonen. #PR14

 

[theyoungest]

Lol like Terpstra gives a f*** about that right now.

I think the weird tactics by Belkin made this race so weird and indecisive. They had numerical superiority nearly the entire race and never once were the first man in the race. That's just inexcusable. They closed down the race, then didn't do anything to open it in their favor.

First Dutch winner of a major classic in thirteen years by the way, since Knaven won this race in 2001. Funnily enough Terpstra did it in similar fashion.

Belkin rode a tactically perfect race, but when push came to shove everything went down the toilet as Boom crashed and Wynants broke his saddle, almost at the same moment. Otherwise they'd have had three guys in the final group and no doubt one of them would have closed down Terpstra.

 

[BigMac]

Didn't watch it, but I'm somewhat happy with the results. Would be better if it wasn't an Omega taking the win. Not surprised by Sir Bradley Wiggins at all. In theory, this race should suit long-distance, powerful time trialists like him. He should give it one more go next year.

Would like to see him in the Tour team.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

John den Braber ‏@JohndenBraber 2h
‘Excuus..excuus..excuus..excuus…excuus…excuus..excuus’, aldus Tom Boonen. #PR14

While he's one of the only 2 favorites (and Terpstra of course) who don't need to give excuses.

 

[arvc40]

Did not find today's race very interesting.

 

[Arnout]

Belkin rode a tactically perfect race, but when push came to shove everything went down the toilet as Boom crashed and Wynants broke his saddle, almost at the same moment. Otherwise they'd have had three guys in the final group and no doubt one of them would have closed down Terpstra.

Close down, close down... Why not try to win yourself? They didn't have sprinters but relied on everything coming together.

 

[arvc40]

Follow Trek number 1 and see how it goes was most riders tactic today. Bravo to those that had a go !.

 

[Klubban]

I really like EBH because he's so well-rounded, but I think he's throwing his talent at bike races he just isn't great in. Apart from one great win earlier in his career, the cobbles just don't seem to be his thing. I wish he'd shift his focus and start hunting stages/points jerseys in stage races. He's got that Sagan-style intermediate stage-winning talent, the ability to place highly on flat stages, and he can do a great time trial to boot.

EBH must realize now that this was the last time he rode as a leader in the classics. He have been given several chances but hasn't reach a top 15 spot yet in either MSR, RVV or PR. Today he was 4th best among the sky riders... I know PR och RVV are EBH's favorite races and that he want's to win at least one of them one day. But I can see no reason why Sky should continue to believe in him and give him further chances. Question is if EBH is ready to rethink what kind of races he should try to win. I don't think so, he actually seems to be quiet content with his classics season, he noticed for example that this was his best PR ever and in RVV he says he felt strong. So my bet is that EBH will try next year again, question is if he will be given the opportunity. If he is still with sky i doubt he will get a protected role.