Paris-Roubaix 2012 - The Queen of the Classics (257.5km)

[Zinoviev Letter]

BMC is incredibly dissapointing again though. They showed up in force early on, but once it started to matter once again they've disappeared.

By contrast, Sky look ridiculously strong.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Seb the rocket!

 

[burning]

I realized that boonen has no gloves

 

[Ramira]

Ballan is still there. Shame Hushovd and Hincapie got problems at crucial moments.

True the leaders are doing what they're supposed to, but all the support guys melted away like snow before the sun. It seemed like they would dominate but they only got Ballan left, and even though I love the guy he doesn't really have the sprint to finish it off alone.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I see 3 men from Rabo here in the group as well. If Sky pulls Boonen back i think Rabobank might profit from this situation.

Yup. Anyone know current weather? Wind in particular. A blocking wind towards the end would be awful for Boonen.

 

[Trofinios]

If Sky was smart, they should leave Boonen dangling there.

Agree, keep it around 20-25 seconds.

 

[Parrulo]

Gotta love Boonen. Well done.

Now we bite our nails for an hour to see if he can somehow make it

i am already running out of nails and we still have 50k to go. . .

Boonen is a hero forever if he pulls this off.

he is being silly tho i think. he should sit up.

 

[dlwssonic]

BMC had unfortunate problems today. The good thing is they still have riders in the front.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Boonen is still pulling away. Sky need to pick it up.

If they caught him now he'd win.

Leave him there for 40km. I'd let the gap drift a little more, coming in already.

 

[spalco]

Pozzato's done imo. He might as well get into that car now.

 

[gerundium]

Yup. Anyone know current weather? Wind in particular. A blocking wind towards the end would be awful for Boonen.

belgian commentary says that Boonen will be getting a tail / cross wind after mons en pevele

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

really? Valentin Iglinsky?!

I did see the Astana jersey but I expected it to be Guarnieri or Muravyev

Maxim, not the younger 1

 

[Kvinto]

I hope he stays away, the cobbles are Tommeke's allies, go Tommeke

 

[Snilla]

This is so great. go go go Boonen

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I think this is perhaps a bit arrogant by Boonen and could cost him. However, I have the utmost respect for him that he's trying to pull this off.

 

[SantiBotero]

Happens whatever happens, Boonen has such a big heart, huge move

 

[goggalor]

If they caught him now he'd win.

Leave him there for 40km. I'd let the gap drift a little more, coming in already.

Yup, looking good now for Sky!

 

[issoisso]

Flecha attacks. Good news for Boonen

 

[vcampbell]

If Sky was smart, they should leave Boonen dangling there.

I thinked that too. They should keep this 30 seconds, until the last 10 km, and then chase him back, when he is totally empty.

 

[luckyboy]

Flecha attacks with his silly helmet

 

[TourOfSardinia]

gap in the balance oscillating aaboutthe 1/2 minute

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Sky sick of cleaning up everyone else' mess, nice move from Flecha.

Playing it quite well for Boasson here.

 

[Sophistic]

Flecha is a moron

 

[DominicDecoco]

Is Lund or Tossatto from Saxo?!

 

[dlwssonic]

True the leaders are doing what they're supposed to, but all the support guys melted away like snow before the sun. It seemed like they would dominate but they only got Ballan left, and even though I love the guy he doesn't really have the sprint to finish it off alone.

I think many if their domestiques got caught out in the crosswinds, they looked good actually. Sky saved BMC this time.