Sun 11th April: Paris - Roubaix, 259km

[Magnus]

A clever move by Cancellara won the race, but it was a bit of a sucker-punch. Didn't he think he could win otherwise?

IMO soloing the last 48 K isn't a sucker-punch. It's epic.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

yes, that's why I wonder why he did not finish the race

Sagan just said to Slovak newspaper that he had 2 flats and then light crash and another mechanical problem with 60 to go. He lost about a minute and didn't manage to make his way back to any bigger group. So he withdrawal from the race. He said that he would certainly finish the course. Maybe not in top20 but certainly in the main group. Now he is quite dissapointed but he will return next year.

His next programme: Giro del Trentino (20-24th april)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Theo Bos had 2 falls and a flat tire before Arenberg. And then returned, he said he could move up well on cobbles and was suprised by that. He also got a coke for Hushovd after Arenberg and still felt good after that.
But with 50km to go the tank was getting emtpy.

Still only finished 1'30 behind Devolder. I'm really suprised, didn't think he would even get to 150km...maybe next year he can throw Cancellara into the barriers and win?

 

[skidmark]

what does that mean?

You're on the 'professional road racing' discussion board. 'The Clinic' is the board for talking about doping. There was a thread started last week right after flanders about Cancellara, and one started today with 35km to go in Roubaix. Definitely people are not avoiding talking about doping around Canc, this just isn't the place they do it.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice ride:
48 Bjorn Selander (USA) Team RadioShack

 

[pmcg76]

Watched the race on Eurosport but went out straight after as the weather in Ireland is unbelievably brillant. Have to take advantage whilst it lasts!!

Cance domination made it a bit dull but what were all the other guys doing when he went, I could see him going for it and was waiting for Boonen to come into the picture but nada, then they pan down the group and Boonen is near the back. WTF. How did he miss that, too many pointless attacks??

There was absolutely no co-operation chasing Cance, Flecha, Leukemans, Hinault & Pozzato were all passengers though some of them were not up to it, only Boonen and Cervelo occasionally doing some work.

Garmin got wiped out in a few Kms, who noticed Millar shaking his head when he was dropped and passed by the Euskaltel guy, big difference between the Ronde & P-R.

Read back trough the thread, as I mentioned before, always fun to read and see the reactions although it seemed to go a bit quiet towards the end, not surprising really. Thanks for the entertainment. Roll on the Ardennes.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

great pic

 

[Anquetil]

I was at Roubaix at the last section and I saw the difference between Cancellera and the reste ... Even if it was the end of the race the difference was enormous. He was litteraly flying compare to guys like boonen or flecha.

 

[theswordsman]

I just checked my you tube subscriptions and found a video from today entitled "crashes, punctures and a dog".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz5YLR8pBN0&playnext_from=TL&videos=80z5YdZuDWA

 

[delgado]

Flecha 's applause over the finish line had a slightly acerbic twist to it.
Allegedly Hushovd had complained to him about cramps in the last kms. Not that it matters, not that there's any surprise there, I just wondered if anybody had any more muck on this. Flecha's statement as reported by CN is, um, diplomatic.

 

[Parrot23]

Yeah. No mechanical, badly timed flat, or exploding bike to blame, either.

They just have to rename it Greenville, SC, then he would win.

 

[franciep10]

Here's what Tom had to say about the race

Boonen Comments

Interesting tidbits, he went to the back to see how many riders were left in the group. He's perplexed by Cancellara's attack but said he would've done the same he's pretty upset with the chasers especially flecha said he and hoste were chasing but the rest wanted to race for second

 

[Parrot23]

A clever move by Cancellara won the race, but it was a bit of a sucker-punch. Didn't he think he could win otherwise?

Can't someone pull a "Hog" move on Cancellara, a la Bruyneel sitting on Indurain's wheel in the Tour once in Liege (when Indurain was motoring away from the entire peleton)?

Cancellara definitely was smarter than Boonen today, among other things, LOL.

 

[Echoes]

Same as for Boom
Emtpy after 200km, they have some limit.

I'm glad Boom made it, though.

Out of time but he finished Paris Roubaix.

 

[Anonymous]

Flecha 's applause over the finish line had a slightly acerbic twist to it.
Allegedly Hushovd had complained to him about cramps in the last kms. Not that it matters, not that there's any surprise there, I just wondered if anybody had any more muck on this. Flecha's statement as reported by CN is, um, diplomatic.

That smarmy wheel sucking wussy should have no complaints. Sometimes, when you ride like a coward and race for 2nd, you get 3rd...and he didn't deserve that.

 

[Pantheon of Greats]

That smarmy wheel sucking wussy should have no complaints. Sometimes, when you ride like a coward and race for 2nd, you get 3rd...and he didn't deserve that.

This has been quite a good thread. It would be sad if the trolls spoilt it. Don't bite guys.

 

[theyoungest]

still being a rabo fan I can't speak. wow they sucked. They need a leader..

I had no expectations, and they managed to live up to them (or live down, if you like). The team was simply too inexperienced this year, and the only rider who you'd realistically expect to do above average (Tjallingii) had bad luck.

And maybe they'll sign a new leader, possibly the Dutch classics man of the future (who at least did better than Boom) Theo Bos?

 

[theyoungest]

I'm glad Boom made it, though.

Out of time but he finished Paris Roubaix.

Well whoopteedoo. He gained a lot of experience. The experience of sucking at races longer than 200 km.

 

[pedaling squares]

This has been quite a good thread. It would be sad if the trolls spoilt it. Don't bite guys.

Adjectives aside, there is a good point in there. Flecha didn't bother racing for first place, which really isn't racing at all. He hung in the group after Cancellara made his move and didn't try to bring him back. He attacked only when Boonen was thrashed. So if Hushovd hung on for the last few km and took him at the line, well that's just playing the same game. No need for the applause, which I thought was a sarcastic gesture, when you're beaten at your own game. Sky are happy with the podium spot, but it is far better IMO to give everything and come in 5th than to look like a dork and get 3rd. Still think he's a great rider, just didn't like the way he played the last 50 km.

 

[High Cotton]

That smarmy wheel sucking wussy should have no complaints. Sometimes, when you ride like a coward and race for 2nd, you get 3rd...and he didn't deserve that.

Exactly...

 

[pmcg76]

Adjectives aside, there is a good point in there. Flecha didn't bother racing for first place, which really isn't racing at all. He hung in the group after Cancellara made his move and didn't try to bring him back. He attacked only when Boonen was thrashed. So if Hushovd hung on for the last few km and took him at the line, well that's just playing the same game. No need for the applause, which I thought was a sarcastic gesture, when you're beaten at your own game. Sky are happy with the podium spot, but it is far better IMO to give everything and come in 5th than to look like a dork and get 3rd. Still think he's a great rider, just didn't like the way he played the last 50 km.

+1
Likewise if Pozzato had taken a podium place, I would have been very unimpressed, although I think Pippo was unable to contribute because he was actually 'screwed' unlike Flecha. Boonens' efforts deserved more than he got even if he rode poorly at times. Would have been interesting if Haussler had been there in good form, Cervelo would have been even stronger.

 

[Von Mises]

Adjectives aside, there is a good point in there. Flecha didn't bother racing for first place, which really isn't racing at all. He hung in the group after Cancellara made his move and didn't try to bring him back. He attacked only when Boonen was thrashed. So if Hushovd hung on for the last few km and took him at the line, well that's just playing the same game. No need for the applause, which I thought was a sarcastic gesture, when you're beaten at your own game. Sky are happy with the podium spot, but it is far better IMO to give everything and come in 5th than to look like a dork and get 3rd. Still think he's a great rider, just didn't like the way he played the last 50 km.

Look at it from Flecha point of view. He cant TT like Cancellara, he cant sprint like Boonen (or Hushovd). He had limited options, why should he work for Boonen?

 

[pmcg76]

Look at it from Flecha point of view. He cant TT like Cancellara, he cant sprint like Boonen (or Hushovd). He had limited options, why should he work for Boonen?

The difference was this, Boonen cannot TT like Cancellara either but he kept trying regardless if he risked missing the podium because he wanted to win. Flecha wheelsucked to try and get a 2nd place which he didnt deserve. Boonen could have done the same and guranteed 2nd place but thats now he rolls, its called a winners mentality. I think its normal that fans and riders alike dont like riders who dont race to win and just sit on and then start racing at the end.

 

[blaxland]

Cancellara is just awesome....that ride will be one that i remember for a long time...also great ride Hushovd,Flecha and Hammond...bad luck Boonen deserved more than 4th..

 

[Anonymous]

This has been quite a good thread. It would be sad if the trolls spoilt it. Don't bite guys.

Ahh, the mentally ill troll returns. Another ignore function in 3, 2, 1