Billie said:
DFA123 said:
Akuryo said:
While everyone is watching Tommeke, Terpstra will steal his 2nd stone. Degenkolb wins the sprint against Sagan behind.
I thought about a similar scenario. But then I remember when Degenkolb won in 2015, he chased down everyone himself in the last 20km - including an attack from Terpstra. I think if Degenkolb is there, then I doubt he'd be that concerned about Boonen's sprint and would just try to shut everything down again.
in 2015 it was both the biggest and weakest group that reached the velodrome for as long as I can remember.
Quite possibly. Definitely biggest group for a long time, although iirc, it wasn't horribly weak - Degenkolb, GVA, Stybar, Keukeleire, Lampaert
and a couple of others?
Speaking of relative strength. With no Cancellara or Vanmarcke, I think this year is the weakest startlist there has been for a very, very long time. Boonen is almost the only top-level rider who is a specialist on the flat cobbles, and he's well past his best now.