I don't see why Gaudin or Turgot have more chances than the other outsiders. They have had 1 good P-R, that's it.Volderke said:
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I guess Vanmarcke shouldn't be mentioned anymore because he is al ready a contender, no? Otherwise I don't see why he isn't being mentioned in every post already, riding (almost) equally with Cancellara in past PR, despite, IIRC, being injured during the preparation of the classics.
For your random surprising Frenchman this year, consider Johan Le Bon. He was 4th in De Panne this year, and 2nd in Tro-Bro Léon - behind his own teammate, so he didn't attack until near the end once Mourey's victory was assured. He's pretty good at putting down the power on the flat too (5th in the Chrono des Nations, 4th in the De Panne TT). He was 26th at Roubaix last year, satisfactorily anonymous not to be picked up for much attention, but finished ahead of some pretty notable names.
No mention of Hayman? He's the sole leader of Orica, doesn't have to overtrain at Tenerife this year, now has DS's that understand classics, an ok (but not great) team and won't be expected to take charge.
I think a top 5 is very possible for him. Now Flecha's retired the only riders you would say are definitely better are Boonen, Cancellara and possibly Stybar.
I think a top 5 is very possible for him. Now Flecha's retired the only riders you would say are definitely better are Boonen, Cancellara and possibly Stybar.
Don't forget Keukeleire. He might have been under the radar in the spring, but his august campaign was very promising.42x16ss said:
No love for Vanmarcke?
He crashed in TA and had a knee injury. Only by PR he found his form again and there he was almost equal to Cancellara, losing only because of a crappy sprint. If he comes in that shape for all the cobbled classics next year, he's going to be right up there with Cancellara and Boonen. I guess barring PR Sagan will be up there as well. I also expect great things of Stybar doing so well in his first PR.
These races are very difficult to predict, but I guess there are three guys who might come close to Cancellara and Boonen level this year. Imo it will be very open and exciting.
EDIT: although I guess he shouldn't be mentioned in this thread as he isn't a future cobbled challanger anymore, considering he contended for the win in PR this year, despite starting the cobbled races coming out of a crash in TA.
He crashed in TA and had a knee injury. Only by PR he found his form again and there he was almost equal to Cancellara, losing only because of a crappy sprint. If he comes in that shape for all the cobbled classics next year, he's going to be right up there with Cancellara and Boonen. I guess barring PR Sagan will be up there as well. I also expect great things of Stybar doing so well in his first PR.
These races are very difficult to predict, but I guess there are three guys who might come close to Cancellara and Boonen level this year. Imo it will be very open and exciting.
EDIT: although I guess he shouldn't be mentioned in this thread as he isn't a future cobbled challanger anymore, considering he contended for the win in PR this year, despite starting the cobbled races coming out of a crash in TA.
Vanmarcke and Phinney strike me as the possible winners of P-R.
Kristoff, Sagan and Degenkolb for RVV. Those riders could also win PR- in fact it is probably more likely for Kristoff.
Stybar for both too?
Hepburn as an outside cobbled pick.
Kristoff, Sagan and Degenkolb for RVV. Those riders could also win PR- in fact it is probably more likely for Kristoff.
Stybar for both too?
Hepburn as an outside cobbled pick.
Libertine Seguros said:
He has great potential indeed, after having lost a fair bit of time since his junior titles. Could be a surprise in future years.
For me next year could see Stybar topple Boonen and Cancellara. He has great potential, and should be in a position of playing the Chavanel/Devolder role at OPQS while Boonen and Cancellara stay together.
Stybar obviously. I wonder what his role will be this year.
Other then that, Vanmarcke more for PR than for RVV (although he is top 5 there too if fit).
From the younger riders there are a lot but it's hard to tell who will actually be top
Other then that, Vanmarcke more for PR than for RVV (although he is top 5 there too if fit).
From the younger riders there are a lot but it's hard to tell who will actually be top
Libertine Seguros said:
Good pick indeed. If I'm not mistaken it was his first year with the pros as well.
Promising rider indeed.
He's not a future cobbles contender, I reckon. If you're 2nd in Roubaix, you've already made it to the big leagues.Maaaaaaaarten said:
I'm curious what he can do in Flanders, since as you say he was injured this year, and actually his podium in Roubaix was nothing short of a miracle.
I really hope Durbridge focusses on the cobbles, he has very little experience on them, but seems to have the physical characteristics. Moving forward I don't think he can lose the weight needed to challenge for one week stage races at 1WT level and is more likely to contest the cobbles. This season he got a taste of cobbled classics for the first time and said he enjoyed it and is looking to focus on them this year.
karlboss said:
Always good to hear another big TT engine getting interested in the cobbles. Bring on the action.
Call me crazy but I have a feeling that Matthews will be better suited - I see him becoming more like a Hushovd while Durbridge will be similar to Tony Martin in time. He's lost quite a bit of upper body weight over the last year too BTW.karlboss said:
Happy to be proven wrong though.
42x16ss said:
Assuming he tried to slim the upper body to be competitive in the more hilly stage races last year, he should be able to put the mass back on again.
But hey lets see both having a go.
That's certainly a first. Well, he clearly has a talent suited for cobbled classics, but I doubt he'll be a challenger. I just don't see him having that little extra to actually win something, as his sprint is bad and he's not very explosive. He's also 23 already, so who knows how much he can improve (some Norwegians stop developing at 21!).ingsve said:
I hope I'm wrong though, he's an amazing guy and the way he won Ronde de l'Oise would even have made Txurruka proud. To be 2nd overall and attack solo with 100 km to go on a relatively flat stage, bridging to the break and actually stay away is certainly one hell of a performance.
Hopefully Lotto will give him a good program this year with some freedom to go on the attack, it'd be a shame to see him simply riding on the front for Greipel.
Gallopin's got his sights set on Flanders.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-gallopin-dreams-about-tour-of-flanders
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-gallopin-dreams-about-tour-of-flanders
OK. Who are gonna be the men to watch in 2015?
Vanbilsen has a lot of potential. Wallays after his win in Paris-Tours? Luke Rowe could be the surprise of Sky.
Vanbilsen has a lot of potential. Wallays after his win in Paris-Tours? Luke Rowe could be the surprise of Sky.
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