Paris-Roubaix 2026, one day monument, April 12

[Gigs_98]

Yeah I dont think I can remember an edition of Roubaix which was this heavily influenced by mechanicals.

 

[Red Rick]

Lipowitz and Roglic here in spirit at least

Roglic would've much rather done Roubaix in the sunshine and go off to the pub after a few mechanicals rather than finish the stage in the pissing rain yesterday

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Pithie and Meeus probably better off dropping back to Ganna and co.

 

[limak_]

All the new tech and somehow we seem to have more punctures than ever. Sometimes, innovation isn't better.

Was wondering if riding too low pressure isn't the issue. Maybe they're too cofident with bigger tyres

 

[Monsi]

MVDP might stall here

 

[KoopaCycling]

Ganna has a teammate. There is no chance MVP catches him

And they should still wait. 25 sec not worth staying ahead of MVDP for.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

MVDP wouldve been in the Ganna group now if his doms had ridden through Arenberg and waited for him up the road.

 

[Brullnux]

Milan wondering why he has no endurance anymore when he can do 2500 watts for 1 second

Surely a flat? Or did he really get dropped by Ganna's group half arseing it

 

[awavey]

I suppose you might forget what pedals you use riding Arenberg in the middle of P-R... And if that's in fact shimano prototype, he may have thought it's compatible with standard shimano cleats

brain fade in bike races is a real thing for sure, but theres a whole bunch of decisions that were made before the here take my bike MvdP bit happens that results in that.

like did Alpecin not check the cleats would be compatible, why are they accepting prototypes in one of their biggest races of the year and not saying hey all our team must be equally kitted out, MvdP was surely their prime rider for this race, you dont leave your main rider out there with teammates who cant share bikes because theyre trying some different kit, when you know mechanicals are part and parcel of this race, and the cars (unless your UAE) arent going to be able to quickly help you, and if you do still do that you drill into the whole team, swap wheels, not bikes.

they go on about how they practice for this race so much, and yet they dont practice stuff like this, dont plan properly for stuff like this and it costs them races ultimtately.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Such a sad sight, to see everyone working with Pogacar in such a small bunch. They think they are keeping their chances hot, when they are reducing them to zero

That rear tire looked low on the last set of cobbles. Maybe he is running really low pressure, or maybe he has a slow leak.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Sector:
16 : Warlaing à Brillon (km 183,3 - 2,4 km) ***

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Pedersen skipping turns nicely here

 

[Devil's Elbow]

And they should still wait. 25 sec not worth staying ahead of MVDP for.

Van der Poel will bridge on one of the next sectors if he's fresh enough anyway.

 

[Leinster]

Such a sad sight, to see everyone working with Pogacar in such a small bunch. They think they are keeping their chances hot, when they are reducing them to zero

Every one of those guys probably fancies their chances in a velodrome sprint v Pogi better than v Ganna or MvdP.

 

[Squire]

All the new tech and somehow we seem to have more punctures than ever. Sometimes, innovation isn't better.

Personally I know nothing about bike tech, but Danish commentators were discussing the current mass-produced tyres that the sponsors are pushing vs hand-sewn ones that were used until 5-10 years ago apparently.

 

[Tim Cahill]

RB have to be gambling and waiting here, they are throwing their race

 

[ppanther92]

Ooof, MvdP all on his own since quite some time

 

[Gigs_98]

Not after the Arenberg forest in the last few years.

I guess but thats way too small of a sample size for me to declare there is no way it could happen this year.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Pog leaving gaps

 

[KoopaCycling]

Wout is not working. Jesus there aren't climbs man! It's your big opportunity

You just thinking on what's easiest for Pogacar to cruise to victory i'm guessing.
The fact that anyone is pacing with pogacar in this scenario is mindboggling to me.

 

[Red Rick]

Motor bike behind MvdP group

 

[awavey]

Just to remind everyone, when Ganna won Dwars he got a flat and dropped off the front, then made it back and immidiately got a flat again - and made it back and won

which some blamed on sticky bottles

 

[canina82]

Pog leaving gaps

He seems tired.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Surely a flat? Or did he really get dropped by Ganna's group half arseing it

I think he's just made some physiological sacrifices in the past year or so, showed a lot of promise at Gent-Wevelgem in 2024 but probably gone all in on top speed instead.

 

[Brullnux]

Okay yeah it was a slow flat for Milan