Paris - Roubaix 2024, one day monument, April 7

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I mean, you can clearly see that the group rides extremely braindead when Fred Wright comes back, who was dead already and the Bissegger group is slowly closing in as well. No one can tell me, they couldn't ride better. Chances are MvdP wins still but I really can't appreciate so much resignation and passiveness.

Unfortunlately the race isnt “Alpecin vs everyone”. There is a lot of guys in the second group that knows they have no chance to win or get the podium, and by not riding they can get a top 10. It doesn’t make sense for guys like Slock, Fedorov, Van Gestel etc to work chasing down VDP.

Now we have a group with 4-5 guys + Philipsen it should be possible to get an organized chase, but if the catch VDP they will still likely loose to Philipsen.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Gap has stabilized, still over 40k to go. Lots can happen.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

This GOAT era is GOAT

You spelled "SH!T" wrong...

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Pretty sure PH was an inside job...

No, that was 9/11.

 

[jono]

Is the group that was being called 2eme peloton 80k ago still riding?

 

[Salvarani]

You spelled "SH!T" wrong...

Dont think I did.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I love it when people don't get movie references.

Sorry, not a big fan of National Lampoon flicks.

 

[Volderke]

We need Teddy to save Roubaix

We trust in Pithie to save it for today!

 

[Tim Cahill]

'These new methods of training where they go to altitude'

Sean Kelly everyone.

 

[Filippo_3467]

Would be also great if another team with a bigger budget could try to go for the classics to make it more balanced. Bad luck for Visma of course this year with the best riders out. If bora could get Philipsen and Pithie will be harder to just control such a race from the start.

 

[ppanther92]

It doesn’t make sense for guys like Slock, Fedorov, Van Gestel etc to work chasing down VDP.

No, but for Pedersen, Küng (+Pithie), Politt, heck, even Wellens, Degenkolb, Pidcock it does. Yet only Pedersen tried for a few kms. But going 1 vs. 1 with MvdP obviously makes no sense.

 

[Sciatic]

Guys in the chase should pretend Alpecin riders aren’t there. Each time someone tries to push hard they let us when they see Phillipsen or Vermesh on their wheel. In normal cycling strategy you don’t want to drag a one of them to then lose in a sprint. But not willing to just ride with them on their wheel gives them 0% chance of winning.

Ed. Started writing this when the gap was 1’, now it’s 1’45” so none of it matters, all are riding for 2nd,

 

[Netserk]

If it wasn't for Vermeersch's move with Politt and Küng, this race would have been a complete procession from end to end.

 

[AmRacer]

This race is hell for everyone else.

 

[Ricco']

He should just go to Flèche at this point.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Alpecin has this in the bag. Phillipsen will be second

 

[Leinster]

Unfortunlately the race isnt “Alpecin vs everyone”. There is a lot of guys in the second group that knows they have no chance to win or get the podium, and by not riding they can get a top 10. It doesn’t make sense for guys like Slock, Fedorov, Van Gestel etc to work chasing down VDP.

Now we have a group with 4-5 guys + Philipsen it should be possible to get an organized chase, but if the catch VDP they will still likely loose to Philipsen.

King working for Pithie was the unlikely tactical option that could have kept the race alive.

 

[Didinho]

Someone throwing a cape on the secteur at his back wheel? Thought it was a flag.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Sieberg on German ES says he hasn't seen VdP eat for a while, and speculates he might forget to eat Could make it interesting if true, but probably he'll just win by 3-4 minutes.

 

[Ricco']

Sieberg on German ES says he hasn't seen VdP eat for a while, and speculates he might forget to eat Could make it interesting if true, but probably he'll just win by 3-4 minutes.

He received a gel from his car not 10 minutes ago, I believe.

Was just going for my cup of coffee when I see him receiving something from the car.

 

[ppanther92]

But tbf, Alpecin also really set up the team nicely for the classics. Some strong committed domestiques, Then Vermeersch who, if everything goes right (meaning he can ride with some break and not contribute), can also win. And ofc Philippsen, that, if you don't drop him wins the sprint. Gives MvdP a great setup. A bit like Quickstep in the classics before they became ***.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Where's the farmers protest when we need it.

 

[Wvv]

Boringly impressive.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

The difference with the solo attacks of the past is that, with the speed of this race, they wouldn't even be in group 2...they'd be back with the pack fodder.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

'These new methods of training where they go to altitude'

Sean Kelly everyone.

That's why I only listen to race commentaries in languages I don't speak. That way, when the announcers invariably say something stupid, I don't even notice.