Official thread: Paris-Roubaix

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I rate Maaskants chances infinitely higher than those of old-timer Guesdon.

 

[Jasper]

True, Maaskant should be in the list as well. Maybe Leukemans too, he has made it to 4th place in 2007, so he's got it in him to perform well here.

 

[jaylew]

Is Cancellara a confirmed starter, with Ballan and O'Grady looking out my 3 favourites are out.

Cancellara is in, though I don't know how much form he's bringing with him. I'd never count that guy out though...

 

[Blorpht]

It would be awesome to see Maaskant make the podium. I guess I'm still on the Boonen bandwagon for the top spot on the podium.

 

[Cosette]

Boonen appears to be the hot favourite once again.... Just like Milan-San Remo.... Is Cavendish starting???

A little more seriously though.
Boonen does have a good chance, as always. Whether he'll be able to deliver is another matter. We'll see.
Flecha promised he'd try something in Paris-Roubaix. So I'm hoping he'll keep true to his words. I'd love to see that. Plus that I hope he'll get a little bit more lucky this time around....
Then there's Hincapie/Devolder/Sylvain Chavanel/Maaskant/Cancellara who all have a good shot...

I do wonder how Langeveld is doing. The media are suggesting his confidence got dented in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which would be understandable I guess. But the media being what they are, I wonder how much they make up....

Hmm...Did I forget someone??

 

[wheels55]

I actually thought that George looked in good form at Gent. He was in the front group and constantly covered moves for EBH after he went away. Not that I think he'll win Sunday...

You never know...the form is there, he's knows the course as well as anyone, has the full support of the team (as opposed to QS with too many chiefs), and he clearly wants a win P-R over anything else...

Yep, I think he's finally gonna get it done this year.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Boonen appears to be the hot favourite once again.... Just like Milan-San Remo.... Is Cavendish starting???

A little more seriously though.
Boonen does have a good chance, as always. Whether he'll be able to deliver is another matter. We'll see.
Flecha promised he'd try something in Paris-Roubaix. So I'm hoping he'll keep true to his words. I'd love to see that. Plus that I hope he'll get a little bit more lucky this time around....
Then there's Hincapie/Devolder/Sylvain Chavanel/Maaskant/Cancellara who all have a good shot...

I do wonder how Langeveld is doing. The media are suggesting his confidence got dented in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which would be understandable I guess. But the media being what they are, I wonder how much they make up....

Hmm...Did I forget someone??

lol, no i think he's focusing on winning the Tour now.

 

[Anonymous]

lol, no i think he's focusing on winning the Tour now.

im confused, some bookies are offering really short odds on cavvy winning and hes on the provisional lists...

i love the guy, but hes not got a hope in hell.. are the bookies just hedging there bets or was flanders, and gent along with a bit of mid season veledrome practice all part of the plan..



my moneys on devolder... picked up 14-1 from coral..
latest odds here>http://www.betbrain.com/oddsDetail/...ventId/138498633/betTypeId/7/scopeId/0/site/0
think boonen has the bookies running scared

 

[Zoncolan]

Boonen takes it ahead of Langeveld and Hincapie

 

[tifosa]

I'm tipping Cance to win.

 

[lookkg386]

im confused, some bookies are offering really short odds on cavvy winning and hes on the provisional lists...

i love the guy, but hes not got a hope in hell.. are the bookies just hedging there bets or was flanders, and gent along with a bit of mid season veledrome practice all part of the plan..



my moneys on devolder... picked up 14-1 from coral..
latest odds here>http://www.betbrain.com/oddsDetail/...ventId/138498633/betTypeId/7/scopeId/0/site/0
think boonen has the bookies running scared

Short odds for Cav is crazy, don't even think he has ridden it before.

 

[Anonymous]

Short odds for Cav is crazy, don't even think he has ridden it before.

i think its just the bookies putting them short but long enough to be tempting to get the non cylcing gamblers over here who hear that cavvy has won a classic and dont realise PR is different to waste some money..

nice to see that columbia are saying they are putting all there eggs in the hincapie basket (although, thats assuming you beleive what anyone says anymore)

 

[slowoldman]

My picks... made with the heart not the head.

Hincapie
Chavanel (Sylvain not Sebastian)
Maaskant

 

[BroDeal]

I am tempted to predict that Devolder will do the double, but I will put my official kiss of death on Hincapie.

 

[Big Cee]

Boonen is the obvious favourite. If he´s having a bad day, look for Devolder to take the double.

 

[Bartoli]

My heart says Maaskant or Flecha.
Realisticly it will be a quick-step thing: V Impe is also a favorite for this course. No matter how many captains they got, i think Lefevere will get them to ride together, remember Museeuw, Tafi and Bortolami.

 

[campagchris]

Im hoping Juan Antonio Flecha has some good luck for a change,also liketo see Manuel Quinziato do a good ride.Should be a good race.

 

[James Jordan]

As their are no Australian in the race (Haussler is officially a German) I would like to see Hincapie finally take the podium. The guy is always their till the end putting his heart and soul into the race but always has some nasty piece of luck which takes him out of the race. I just want him to finally take it just to put him out of his misery.

If he falls again then go Flecha.

 

[bianchigirl]

I'd like to see Chavanel do well, either here or in the Ardennes

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

1. Boonen
2. Burghardt
3. Hincapie

 

[mr. tibbs]

1. Boonen
2. Burghardt
3. Hincapie

Interesting choices, but I think I'd swap Burghardt out for Pippo, Haussler, or maybe even Devolder.

I just don't think Columbia is strong enough to put two guys on the podium, and Burghardt is probably going to sacrifice for Hincapie now considering that he may well inherit the team for Spring in the next couple years. (Though Boasson Hagen might have something to say about that, too...)

 

[stefank]

As their are no Australian in the race (Haussler is officially a German)

That's not exactly true - there are about half a dozen on the start list I think. Did you mean to say no Australians with much of a chance of being near the front at the finish?

 

[James Jordan]

That's not exactly true - there are about half a dozen on the start list I think. Did you mean to say no Australians with much of a chance of being near the front at the finish?

Quite correct. Sorry nursing a broken collar bone, a plate and 6 screws at the moment.

 

[tashimi76]

As their are no Australian in the race (Haussler is officially a German) I would like to see Hincapie finally take the podium. The guy is always their till the end putting his heart and soul into the race but always has some nasty piece of luck which takes him out of the race. I just want him to finally take it just to put him out of his misery.

If he falls again then go Flecha.

Have not read the start list!? There are 5 or 6 Aussies starting including Matt Goss and Canberra's own Mat Hayman who sprinted it out for 3rd just the other day... No none of them are favourites but there's always a chance. Plus I'm counting Heinrich as an Aussie - he's given up Worlds and Olympics to ride for Australia next year, that's good enough for me.

I'm going to say that Cancellara has no chance so he can prove me wrong yet again.

I'm so excited!!!

 

[francaise]

Heinrich Haussler is my choice