Future cobbles challengers.

[DominicDecoco]

I can see Degenkolb as multiple Roubaix winner.

 

[Ruudz0r]

EBH, Stannard, Phinney and Demare for me seem like they will all be good.

Lithgart will apparently be a leader for Vac in the coobles so i will throw him in. I also hope that Durbridge and Hepburn can do well on them (sheer power, good sprint).

Others could include Keukeleire, Fenn, Blythe (they all have good sprint capabilities).

Moser and Van Rensburg posses the ability but who knows if they will focus on the cobbles.

Can't Ballan be BMC's leader at Roubaix??? I would give him more of a chance of next year podiuming than Phinney.

Where did you read Ligthart will be a leader for VAC in the cobble races? They have Flecha and Leukemans (And I dont even think Ligthart is number 3 after those 2).

 

[Afrank]

Can't Ballan be BMC's leader at Roubaix??? I would give him more of a chance of next year podiuming than Phinney.

Yeah, Ballan would be another good leader for BMC (this team is nuts with guys that can contend in the classics ). If Hushovd doesn't get back into form he may be best choice of leader next year. He should definitely be leader for Flanders. Plus Phinney is still young, I would love to see him be a leader in one of the cobbled classics (eventually I think he will get that opportunity), but he might not get complete leadership for a couple years.

 

[cineteq]

Or maybe Phinney can go and win it Johan Van Summeren style . Then Hushovd can go to another team next season complaining about his lack of support.

That'll be way too funny.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

+1

Look at Chavanel's career path for a perfect example.

exactly, or cancellara, that as a junior and u23 was a pure itt specialist/short stage races

 

[apmfbs]

In my case I am really looking forward to seeing Phinney next year. I think he can do a good race in Roubaix 8 and perhaps in Flandes ).
On the other hand it is Sagan´s and Hagen´s time to win a monument.........we´ll see. But Cancellara and Boonen need successors

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Van Keirsbulck hasn't been mentioned, has he? He's incredible talented. Jasper Stuyven is another one who has a big talent, and I could imagine Bob Jungels developing into a good classics rider.

More well known riders who obviously will be good include Degenkolb, Sagan, Vanmarcke.

 

[El Pistolero]

exactly, or cancellara, that as a junior and u23 was a pure itt specialist/short stage races

He rode most of his U23 years for Mapei lol.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

He rode most of his U23 years for Mapei lol.

so, that is funny?

 

[Magnus]

Phinney should be the BMC leader for PR next year. Hushovd can be plan B, although I think he's time has passed.

A 22-year old as leader in P-R on a team with two other riders who's podiumed seems a bit off to me.

Old age and treachery shall overcome... especially in P-R.

 

[velosiped]

In my case I am really looking forward to seeing Phinney next year. I think he can do a good race in Roubaix 8 and perhaps in Flandes ).
On the other hand it is Sagan´s and Hagen´s time to win a monument.........we´ll see. But Cancellara and Boonen need successors

If they are gonna win a monument coming spring it has to be M-SR.

Canc/Boonen is in a different dimension on the cobbles.

To win in San remo one need an early season form, which necessarily will fade a little for P-R.

 

[greenedge]

Where did you read Ligthart will be a leader for VAC in the cobble races? They have Flecha and Leukemans (And I dont even think Ligthart is number 3 after those 2).

Sorry i misread this article http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vacansoleil-dcm-go-team-building-in-the-snow

Since all the other riders mentioned are leaders i assumed he would be.

 

[Echoes]

The cobbles don't suit Martin, we likely won't ever see him trying to win any of the cobbled classics. TT's and small tours are more his thing.

He's a ttist and heavyweight.

That's why Paris-Roubaix should suit him. Just like Cancellara, Hinault, Merckx, Phinney, etc.

If only he could have bothered with it...

Remember this is not a race for "specialists".

 

[maltiv]

He's a ttist and heavyweight.

That's why Paris-Roubaix should suit him. Just like Cancellara, Hinault, Merckx, Phinney, etc.

If only he could have bothered with it...

Remember this is not a race for "specialists".

You also have to be insanely good technically (which he is not) and extremely tough/fearless when it comes to positioning (which he is not).

 

[42x16ss]

Did Luke Durbridge ever ride P-R as an U23? He has the size and engine, just not certain about the agression and technical skills. RvV should suit him too.

 

[El Pistolero]

so, that is funny?

Hence he practically never rode any U23 races.

Cancellara was already riding small pro races at age 19.

Regardless, he rode his first Ronde van Vlaanderen at age 22 and his first Roubaix at age 23(coming in fourth).

 

[Pentacycle]

You also have to be insanely good technically (which he is not) and extremely tough/fearless when it comes to positioning (which he is not).

Tony Martin hasn't got any endurance. That's why his main focus every season is time trials and one week races with lots of TT kms. There are many riders with the engine and weight on a short distance, but who lack endurance after 200 kms. It also takes a certain mentality of just focussing on finishing and enduring each pavé, which some riders aren't able to do.

 

[Afrank]

No more Flecha, EBH likely won't ever win Roubaix, Stannards time to shine? He thinks so.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/stannard-inspired-for-cobbles-of-paris-roubaix

 

[jens_attacks]

definitely possible. absolute beast of a rider and huge engine. already predicted him that he will win 2013 roubaix in style.

 

[karlboss]

So who are we looking out for in 2014? Cancellara, Boonen, and Sagan are obvious, will Sagan do PR? What do we expect from Ballan coming back, Chavanel on a new team? Who are the youngsters to step up?

 

[Afrank]

I'll be hoping to see some progress on the cobbles from Phinney

Not sure about Ballan, kind of an enigma with having been out a whole season and with Mantova looming.

Vandenbergh and Stybar are two very promising guys to watch for Omega, they were very impressive this year. Although their results are slightly dependent on how much work they have to do for Boonen. I expect continued improvement from Stybar though, even with working for (with?) Boonen.

Not sure how many cobbled races they'll do if any, but Trek have two of the most interesting looking prospects in Jungels and Stuyvens. Not expecting too much from them result wise this year, but they have one of the best teacher you can learn the trade of the cobbles from in Cancellara.

And the combination of Chavanel and Haussler for IAM I think could be a potent force. Chavanel for attacks and solo breaks and Haussler with the sprint.

 

[Volderke]

In the last 20 years, there were only 5 dominant PR champs in my opinion. Dominant in the sense that when they won, they won with minutes, and they won because they accelerated where they wanted, and they were in the game for several editions, not just one good show:
Ballerini, Tafi, Museeuw, Boonen and Cancellara.

The only realistic chances for finishing first in Roubaix are for Vanmarcke, Gaudin, Turgot, Boonen, Cancellara, or Van Avermaet.
From all the nominees, only Vanmarcke can be considered as relatively 'new'.

As both Boonen and Cancellara are still competing and going for their 4th or 5th win, nobody of the outsiders will be allowed to win. And so Stybar will only win if Boonen has a problem, or if it will be a tactical race.

So forget it for the win, a 'new' rider will only be in the top 10, not even in the top 3 this year. Maybe Boom, Hushovd, Langeveld, Chavanel or Haussler can have a super day and finish top 5.

 

[Pentacycle]

Don't count out Degenkolb, Kristoff, Kwiatkowski and Demare, they can become top cobbled riders. And Gilbert could also be giving it a shot, since his climbing has become worse.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Don't count out Degenkolb, Kristoff, Kwiatkowski and Demare, they can become top cobbled riders. And Gilbert could also be giving it a shot, since his climbing has become worse.

Can Gilbert accelerate away on the flat though?

Stybar must be a future contender

 

[Pentacycle]

Can Gilbert accelerate away on the flat though?

Stybar must be a future contender

Zdenek already was a contender this year until that spectator hit him. And Gilbert is an unknown factor, perhaps he's getting better on pavé as he gets older.