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P-R riders that are never there, but should be.

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Kwibus

Kwibus

May 25, 2010
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There are a lot of riders that avoid Paris - Roubaix, because they are afraid of injuries or for the pain that they have to live with the next weeks.

There are 2 riders at this moment I can think of that should really give it a try though. Paris - Roubaix is in it's class of it's own. There is just nothing really like it. A flat race, but so tough that there are never more then 3 riders going for the win.

1. Cadel Evans. Yes... Cadel.. Sure he lacks a few kilos for this race, but he can make it up for his excellent off-road racing. Every stage without tarmac he performs well. We've seen him win the dirt road stage in the Giro this year and also in the TdF he was in the same group as Cancellara in the cobbled stage. Sure that cobbled stage was influenced by F.Schlecks crash and Cancellara didn't go full throttle. I still think Cadel can do this.
He's probably the best allrounder in the bunch. The only thing he can't do is bunch sprints.
This year he showed he's an absolute toprider imo. Really love him for being at the front in pretty much every race he rides. His a bit of a weirdo, but this year I really started to like him.

2. Tony Martin. I don't think I have to explain this. He's heavy and his TT abilities are excellent. Perfect traits for P-R. I think the problem is that Tony is obsessed with the TdF. He wants to ride a top10 and that's all I hear him talking about so I'm afraid he isn't very interested in Paris-Roubaix while that's a race that perfectly suits him. Imo winning Paris - Roubaix has more value then finishing 8th in the Tour. And the funny part is that I don't think Tony will ever finish in the Top10 of the TdF.

Are there more names were missing?
 
J

jonjungel

Apr 19, 2009
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I think Jens Voigt would have been good in Roubaix if he had focused on it. Probably too late now though.
 
M

Mambo95

Jul 2, 2009
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Going further back in time, Indurain would seem to be perfect. Big, immensely strong (no kick mind)
 
T

theyoungest

Jan 11, 2010
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Kwibus said:
2. Tony Martin. I don't think I have to explain this. He's heavy and his TT abilities are excellent. Perfect traits for P-R. I think the problem is that Tony is obsessed with the TdF. He wants to ride a top10 and that's all I hear him talking about so I'm afraid he isn't very interested in Paris-Roubaix while that's a race that perfectly suits him. Imo winning Paris - Roubaix has more value then finishing 8th in the Tour. And the funny part is that I don't think Tony will ever finish in the Top10 of the TdF.
Click to expand...
Fun fact: he's the guy who crashed in front of Fränk Schleck on the cobbles stage in the TDF.
 
K

Kvinto

Oct 28, 2010
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I wonder why Greipel had never done main cobbled races :confused:, he has enough power, unlike Cavendish who's too delicate for this :rolleyes:
 
T

ttrider

BANNED
Apr 23, 2010
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Not so much Roubais but for me Vino would be the definite favorite for Flanders and Amstel Gold in last years lbl form
 
F

Frosty

Jun 25, 2009
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Am i right in saying Gilbert doesnt do it? If not, does anyone know why? Just giving himself a rest between the flat and hilly classics? I know that he has set this as a goal for the future.
 
auscyclefan94

auscyclefan94

Jun 16, 2009
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Bit of a weirdo? Very humble, quiet and private guy. Anyway, BMC and lotto's cobbled classics squads were super strong anyway. Why would cadel bother with it when he would be riding Pais Vasco or preparing for the classics?
 
Kwibus

Kwibus

May 25, 2010
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auscyclefan94 said:
Bit of a weirdo? Very humble, quiet and private guy. Anyway, BMC and lotto's cobbled classics squads were super strong anyway. Why would cadel bother with it when he would be riding Pais Vasco or preparing for the classics?
Click to expand...

Yes he is a very humble, quiet and private guy, but he also has his ' odd ' moments. I like the guy, but he's sometimes just a bit weird, but I think his high voice doesn't help that image either.

Why would Cadel bother? Because it's Paris - Roubaix? I understand that you can't peek for both P-R and L-B-L in one season, but I'm just saying he can do it and I'd love to see him try. To me P-R is more prestigious compared to L-B-L. Ofcourse that's a personal opinion.
 
auscyclefan94

auscyclefan94

Jun 16, 2009
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Kwibus said:
Why? Vino can certainly do it.
Click to expand...

let me get this straight, you think Vino even in the form of his life could be the top favourite for Ronde van vlaanderen? I think I have heard it all...
 
The Hitch

The Hitch

Jun 14, 2010
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auscyclefan94 said:
let me get this straight, you think Vino even in the form of his life could be the top favourite for Ronde van vlaanderen? I think I have heard it all...
Click to expand...

I dont think Vino would be favourite but hes an explosive guy. Gilbert came 3rd this year and their similar. People here are saying he could do well in PR. I dont think he could, but Flanders has the hills on top, which could suit him more. Remember, this is a guy who has won Champs Elysee.

Remember tdf stage 13. Looking at the profile beforehand it favoured the sprinters despite the hill and Vino had killed himself the day before.

But he went on that hill, dropped a former RVV champ, and then faced a battle on his own against 3 sprinter trains. But it was a vino attack, so neither helll nor high water could stop him.

SO rvv does suit him a bit. I doubt hed win, but then Vino would attack, people might underestimate him, and then ...

Vino-Liege-600x393.jpg


its too late.
 
Michele

Michele

Mar 26, 2009
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Kwibus said:
Vino and Voigt indeed are riders that should've went for it.
I just can't understand they never tried...
Click to expand...

Jens Voigt rode the Roubaix on 2001 while at Credit Agricole.
He was even in an escape.
 
who dat

who dat

Jul 9, 2010
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would be interesting to see cuddles ride cobbled classics, but cancellara was going easy at the TDF because he had to protect schleck.

But then again we are talking about cobbles and anything can happen
 
Angliru

Angliru

Mar 10, 2009
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The Hitch said:
I dont think Vino would be favourite but hes an explosive guy. Gilbert came 3rd this year and their similar. People here are saying he could do well in PR. I dont think he could, but Flanders has the hills on top, which could suit him more. Remember, this is a guy who has won Champs Elysee.

Remember tdf stage 13. Looking at the profile beforehand it favoured the sprinters despite the hill and Vino had killed himself the day before.

But he went on that hill, dropped a former RVV champ, and then faced a battle on his own against 3 sprinter trains. But it was a vino attack, so neither helll nor high water could stop him.

SO rvv does suit him a bit. I doubt hed win, but then Vino would attack, people might underestimate him, and then ...

Vino-Liege-600x393.jpg


its too late.
Click to expand...

I believe that with his characteristics and aggressive riding style that had he made RVV a focus of his season earlier in his career, he would've won it or at minimum made the podium multiple times.
 
T

ttrider

BANNED
Apr 23, 2010
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Yeah Vino is obviously a million miles superior as a climber to Boonen/Canc and on short hills hes very good, obviously the hills dont favour pure climbers but he also has the required bulk and seated power, add to the fact hes awesome in tts and great over the 250km + range and only an idiot would bet against a fully focussed and top form vino definitely early in his career, hes certainly still in with a shout now. Aus cycling fan im sorry you cant see the sense
 
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