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

[El Pistolero]

Someone was offended by Tom's little message pointing one finger to the camera 1 km from the finish line.

Poor Vlaeminck...

That was for his girlfriend by the way.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

here's the full CN report on Roger De Vlaeminck's comments about Boonen and this year's P-R.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/de-vlaeminck-boonens-paris-roubaix-rivals-were-third-rate
I thought Roger was very honest, and his assessment of how the race went was accurate. The only thing I'd stop short of saying is Roger's claim that Boonen needs to win Lombardia and MSR (the "glaring holes on his countryman's palmarès") to be considered "one of the greatest cobbled Classics riders of all time". Boonen just doesn't need the additional external pressure.

 

[Parrulo]

seems good'ol roger is afraid of seeing his record being beaten and forgotten

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

seems good'ol roger is afraid of seeing his record being beaten and forgotten

here's how they compare on total monument wins:
MONUMENT WINS
Name Total
Merckx 19
De Vlaeminck 11
Coppi 9
Girardengo 9
Kelly 9
Van Looy 8
Bartali 7
Boonen 7

so it is possible Tom could catch Roger in that category.

here's how they compare in total monument podiums (a longer way to go for Tom):
MONUMENT PODIUMS 1-3
Name Total
Merckx 30
De Vlaeminck 21
Coppi 15
Girardengo 15
Kelly 15
Moser 15
Museeuw 15
Bartali 13
Van Looy 13
Boonen 12

 

[DominicDecoco]

That was for his girlfriend by the way.

Isn't Vlaeminck is girlfriend? His little bi***

 

[Ripper]

here's the full CN report on Roger De Vlaeminck's comments about Boonen and this year's P-R.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/de-vlaeminck-boonens-paris-roubaix-rivals-were-third-rate
I thought Roger was very honest, and his assessment of how the race went was accurate. The only thing I'd stop short of saying is Roger's claim that Boonen needs to win Lombardia and MSR (the "glaring holes on his countryman's palmarès") to be considered "one of the greatest cobbled Classics riders of all time". Boonen just doesn't need the additional external pressure.

Roger is only being honest in demonstrating his arrogance. He comes accross like an old, bitter, uber retro grouch.

If Roger was more respectful of others and less of a tool, then others would be more respectful of him.

 

[FignonLeGrand]

This season his sprinting though. Not counting classics sprints, he got victory at Paris-Nice and two victories at Qatar, that's better than most best sprinters like Farrar, Rojas etc.

Best sprinters? Pattachi has a better record than Farra in past years. Farrar is not nor will be a 'best sprinter that much is surely obvious from last few years rides.

Look at Kittel other day, suddenyl wins when he is up against Farrar etc. They just dont cut it

 

[FignonLeGrand]

roger is a useless tiresome old *** that understands 0 about modern cycling.

canc would be 10km/h faster than him during the whole race.

simple as that.

Thats not true looks at what he said about Niels Albert at the begining of the cross season. And he was right what did Albert win? Nothing? Oh well he did win the Rainbow jersey..........

DOH

 

[Cimber]

A podium a fail? No one could have beaten boonen today.

Ballan en Pozatta had the chance but feked it up bit time. Typical italian....

 

[dlwssonic]

Ballan en Pozatta had the chance but feked it up bit time. Typical italian....

I think the best ballan could get was a podium even if he stayed with Boonen, which he got in the end.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Roger is only being honest in demonstrating his arrogance. He comes accross like an old, bitter, uber retro grouch.

If Roger was more respectful of others and less of a tool, then others would be more respectful of him.

You have a point there. Like my sig...

 

[Moller]

I think de Vlaeminck is right. If any of the riders in the chase group had won on Sunday it would have been considered a surprise, the only slight exception being Ballan.
As for Boonen's amazing ride, you have to take into account for long periods it was Boonen Vs Stannard and then Boonen Vs Hayman, it's hardly any surprise that he stayed away.

 

[Machu Picchu]

I think de Vlaeminck is right. If any of the riders in the chase group had won on Sunday it would have been considered a surprise, the only slight exception being Ballan.
As for Boonen's amazing ride, you have to take into account for long periods it was Boonen Vs Stannard and then Boonen Vs Hayman, it's hardly any surprise that he stayed away.

Certainly if Turgot had won it would have been a huge surprise, not so much for Ballan, Flecha or even Terpstra and Boom.

 

[Cimber]

I think the best ballan could get was a podium even if he stayed with Boonen, which he got in the end.

But he would have had a shot on the win had he not played the tactical game with Pozatto. Those two really ruined it for each other. Had they with Booned, which they were able to at the time, it could have been a whole other race and the last 50km would have been way more interesting. If only Boonen had dropped them due to pure strength, but it ****es me off that they let them selve get distances cos they played tactical games with eachother. As said: typical Italian.

 

[greenedge]

For a sprinter to do a 53km solo, it definitely is more impressive. It's like Cancellara beating Cavendish in a Tour sprint.

He will this year ( after crashing out of the Classics- he will do something to show a dominant Fabu display ), mark my words.


He will also crush the Olympic ITT.

 

[Forunculo]

Current days

Years ago


Is Thor fat???

 

[Magnus]

Is Thor fat???

Can't really compare the two pics. Different clothes, different time of year, different situations. Same groupset though. Surprised that DA 7900 has been there for 4 years already.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Is Thor fat???

Thor isn't fat, but his bank account is loaded and there are more money coming over the next 3 years regardless of results. Thor made a very good deal with BMC. A bit like modern day bankers.

 

[Forunculo]

Can't really compare the two pics. Different clothes, different time of year, different situations. Same groupset though. Surprised that DA 7900 has been there for 4 years already.

His legs seems less sharp and don't think is the winter clothes.

 

[Magnus]

His legs seems less sharp and don't think is the winter clothes.

Maybe. Kind of hard to tell imo.

But I'd expect his legs to look more sharp when he's sprinting at the end of a Tour stage than when he's just cruising...

 

[pastronef]

Vroomen being asked about his blog on paris roubaix:

http://www.twitter.com/gerardvroomen @OlePaikkonen What is there to say? I turned off the TV during Paris-Roubaix. Lost all interest.

 

[Horizon Deep]

I was in the velodrome on Sunday and the goodwill for Boonen was incredible every time his gap went up there was a huge cheer.When he entered the place the roar was deafening! It was an honour to have witnessed it..Tom Boonen,take a bow son!!

 

[DominicDecoco]

Has this behind the scenes-video of Tom's victory been posted?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ZXSjDNpBE

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Has this behind the scenes-video of Tom's victory been posted?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ZXSjDNpBE

Thats very cool. I had not been aware of the whole series, and will probably spend my day watching them all

 

[maltiv]

Has this behind the scenes-video of Tom's victory been posted?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ZXSjDNpBE

He must've gained like 30 seconds by just "slow grabbing" those bottles. Not that it matters