Sagan's strength is explosiveness on hills. That's why he once came 3rd in Amstel when the finish was still on top of the Cauberg, came 12th or 13th once at Fleche and won the Tour of Poland. He is also a good roleur, but his roleur skills are not as strong as his skills on bergs. He may well win Paris-Roubaix, but it will be harder for him than winning Ronde, which is a race that suits him more. Cancellara on the other hand is usually stronger at Paris-Roubaix. When it comes to out and out pure power on the flat, Cancellara is stronger, which is why Fabian put 24 seconds into him at Tirreno in a flat 10km TT. Yesterday, Sagan had put out a fairly sustained effort for about 7 or 8km, which probably tired him out less than Cancellara's monster effort on the Kwaremont. The way the race had panned out meant that Sagan had more strength at the end than Fabian.
Sagan may very well win Paris-Roubaix and has a great chance as he is in fantastic form, but IMO at least he is not the outright favourite some are making him out to be
Sagan may very well win Paris-Roubaix and has a great chance as he is in fantastic form, but IMO at least he is not the outright favourite some are making him out to be