First American to win Paris Roubaix

[proffate]

Having recently watched old video of the 2005 Paris Roubaix where Hincapie finished 2nd behind a youthful Boonen, and not having seen any American do much in a cobbled classic ever since, I miss having a homeland hero to root for in the best races on the calendar.

The current crop of talent seems at least a little more suited to classics racing than the second rate GC drones that the US generated in the post Lance era. A man can dream...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Unless Sheffield takes two steps up or someone pulls a Hayman, it isn't happening this generation.

 

[DNP-Old]

Ashlin Barry.

 

[proffate]

Unless Sheffield takes two steps up or someone pulls a Hayman, it isn't happening this generation.

Well yeah, we have to bank on an unforeseen improvement or some luck. Not many would have predicted Backstedt, Colbrelli or Van Summeren winning, especially not if you asked the question when said rider was a neopro.

 

[Sciatic]

Well yeah, we have to bank on an unforeseen improvement or some luck. Not many would have predicted Backstedt, Colbrelli or Van Summeren winning, especially not if you asked the question when said rider was a neopro.

I don’t think Colbrelli was that much of a surprise as he had become a much more powerful classics rider. And his victory was nowhere near as surprising as Van Summeran’s.

as for current US riders, is Jorgenson not suited to pave?

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Riley Sheehan, he's the second coming of Frédéric Guesdon

 

[ManicJack]

Ashlin Barry.

Did he switch nationalities?

 

[proffate]

I don’t think Colbrelli was that much of a surprise as he had become a much more powerful classics rider. And his victory was nowhere near as surprising as Van Summeran’s.

as for current US riders, is Jorgenson not suited to pave?

He won it at the age of 31. We're judging these guys who are 21 or so years old. Did anyone predict Colbrelli would win PR when he was 21? And honestly his one day palmares aside from PR are very far from flat and cobbled. I still think that win was a rabbit out of a hat...

Jorgenson did PR once and my recollection is that he said that was enough tries for him. But I'm hoping he'll come back for more eventually.

 

[red_flanders]

I hear good things about Lampierti, so I optimistically voted for him. Can't see any of the other options with a realistic chance. I mean Sheffield could...but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[DNP-Old]

Did he switch nationalities?

He is an American now, yes.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

We haven't seen Powless ride Roubaix yet. He probably won't be able to win it, but he could possibly podium on a great day. The same goes for Jorgenson, since he's obviously raised his level since his last attempt, and Sheffield should also be able to get a good result if he gets it right.

We'll have to wait and see with the young guns + the older Simmons, while Swenson and Vino Williams probably won't ever get to ride it, although Swenson might get a ride with EF at some point.

If we look at all American riders, Chloé Dygert probably has as good a chance of winning as any of these riders, if she can be healthy and in form for the race, which could prove an issue. Megan Jastrab could potentially also do well in the future.

 

[ManicJack]

He is an American now, yes.

As weak as the men's side of the US track squad is currently, he may make the Olympic team in the endurance events.

 

[DNP-Old]

As weak as the men's side of the US track squad is currently, he may make the Olympic team in the endurance events.

He was in Apeldoorn a few weeks ago. I believe he took gold or silver in every event, lol.

 

[Sciatic]

He won it at the age of 31. We're judging these guys who are 21 or so years old. Did anyone predict Colbrelli would win PR when he was 21? And honestly his one day palmares aside from PR are very far from flat and cobbled. I still think that win was a rabbit out of a hat...

Jorgenson did PR once and my recollection is that he said that was enough tries for him. But I'm hoping he'll come back for more eventually.

I was just responding about Colbrelli because you brought him up as a surprise winner, not because he did well as a young gun. I said he was not a surprise like Van Summeran because that spring prior to PR he was something like 6th at KBK, 8 at Sam Remo, at 4th at Gent.

 

[proffate]

I was just responding about Colbrelli because you brought him up as a surprise winner, not because he did well as a young gun. I said he was not a surprise like Van Summeran because that spring prior to PR he was something like 6th at KBK, 8 at Sam Remo, at 4th at Gent.

Certainly hard to beat Vansummeren when it comes to surprise factor.

 

[Unchained]

Is someone suggesting, whoever voted, Justin Williams could contest a 257 kilometer race!! Wear a helmet you have hit your head.
There is a better chance of MVP changing citizenship and winning again this year

 

[Izzyeviel]

Riley Sheehan, he's the second coming of Frédéric Guesdon

Don't be silly. Future Tour winners don't do Paris-Roubaix

 

[Potomac]

Several future winners are on the list so it is hard guessing who will be first.

But I went with Jorgenson because I'm not confident how to pronounce his name.

 

[tobydawq]

Certainly hard to beat Vansummeren when it comes to surprise factor.

Okay, sure, but Vansummeren had featured in the finale of the race before. Two years before, he crashed just before the Carrefour de l'Arbre (if my memory is not playing tricks with me) when he was in the winning 6-man group with Boonen, Pozzato, Hushovd and two others.

Colbrelli had never participated before but on the other hand, he had been absolutely on fire in the months leading up to the race.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Colbrelli had never participated before but on the other hand, he had been absolutely on fire in the months leading up to the race.

And was a guy with a reputation for being good in the rain, against a field with just as much experience in wet Roubaixes as him.

 

[tobydawq]

And was a guy with a reputation for being good in the rain, against a field with just as much experience in wet Roubaixes as him.

That's true. Still a surprise, though, I would say. Probably also to himself given how he had always decided to skip the race throughout his career.

 

[Lexman]

if not Hinacpie lol then Lamperti

 

[Potomac]

if not Hinacpie lol then Lamperti

Good point, why isn't Enzo Hincapie on the list?

 

[Netserk]

And was a guy with a reputation for being good in the rain, against a field with just as much experience in wet Roubaixes as him.

An edition with only debutants on the podium, so Colbrelli wasn't the odd one out.

 

[rallybanana]

Good point, why isn't Enzo Hincapie on the list?

Then Enzo Edmonds needs to be on the list too

A Tale of Two Enzos: American Cycling’s Next Generation Is on the Rise

Enzo Hincapie and Enzo Edmonds are two of US cycling’s most promising junior riders.

velo.outsideonline.com