Paris-Roubaix

Roubaix's a long race with a lot of possibilities for trouble and glory. I'd say it's very much up in there air. But no question Boonen must look like the man to beat. That was a great, great finish today.

For now I'll stick to one prediction: Backstedt's not going to repeat.

tcklyde said:

Roubaix's a long race with a lot of possibilities for trouble and glory. I'd say it's very much up in there air. But no question Boonen must look like the man to beat. That was a great, great finish today.

For now I'll stick to one prediction: Backstedt's not going to repeat.

As much as I would love to see Backstedt repeat (he gives big guys like me hope), if I were a betting man my money would not be on him. Paris-Roubaix is a race where you need 1) luck 2) talent 3) tactical sense 4) luck and while I think everyone is probably equal when it comes to #'s 1 and 4, there are other riders than have a little more of#2 than him, and at best #3 is only equal to any of ten other favorites for this race (although probably better than Hincapie's).

wilmar13 said:

As much as I would love to see Backstedt repeat (he gives big guys like me hope), if I were a betting man my money would not be on him. Paris-Roubaix is a race where you need 1) luck 2) talent 3) tactical sense 4) luck and while I think everyone is probably equal when it comes to #'s 1 and 4, there are other riders than have a little more of#2 than him, and at best #3 is only equal to any of ten other favorites for this race (although probably better than Hincapie's).

After Discovery's missing out on the main move because they were sitting 20 riders back Becasue "the race is always decided on the Muur" I think we can all agree that tactical sense is not a string suit at Hincapie etal

I'm amazed that Hincapie is ever considered a favorite in any race. How could he have missed the crucial break in Flanders yet again? I mean the guy was up front with a few teammates. It boggles the mind.

Laggard said:

I'm amazed that Hincapie is ever considered a favorite in any race. How could he have missed the crucial break in Flanders yet again? I mean the guy was up front with a few teammates. It boggles the mind.

Hincapie has the legs he just has ZERO tactical sense.Displays that time and time again.Although maybe the stinging criticism he no doubt is recieving this week is the kick up the [censored] he needs to do well in P-R.I doubt it myself , but i reckon he will be fired up nonetheless.

wilmar13 said:

As much as I would love to see Backstedt repeat (he gives big guys like me hope), if I were a betting man my money would not be on him. Paris-Roubaix is a race where you need 1) luck 2) talent 3) tactical sense 4) luck and while I think everyone is probably equal when it comes to #'s 1 and 4, there are other riders than have a little more of#2 than him, and at best #3 is only equal to any of ten other favorites for this race (although probably better than Hincapie's).

Because of the number of crashes / punctures / mechanical difficulties in Paris - Roubaix, it is hard to pick anyone as the definite man to beat.

But, if Boonen survives the Pave and is in the top 6 riders still at the front 20Kms out, he will be almost impossible to beat.

I think it's going to come down to team tactics. Backstedt could repeat if he has the right tactic or goes with the right break. But I think Boonen has little chance to make the great escape. He will just be too much of a marked man.

Boonen's my tip to win. Zabel will be strong too.

oh and it HAS to rain. No rain=boring race. Rain=interesting race.

Dead Star said:

Boonen's my tip to win. Zabel will be strong too.

oh and it HAS to rain. No rain=boring race. Rain=interesting race.

Forecast is rain fortunately 😄
For once i hope they're right!

woohoo, I pray that they will be. Otherwise there'll be thousands doing rain dances the night before. (hi btw, it's sing_for_absolution from cyclingplus forums 😎 ).

Boonen is a real kassei(pave)-rider, remember Hincapie desperately trying to keep the wheel of Boonen 3 years ago. I think in the final nobody will be able to follow him. ofcourse luck needs to be with him. Eevry year I go and watch the spectacle in Wallers-Arenberg and Chereng-Gruson (Carefoure de l'Arbre). I like it most when it's very dry, the dust is coming up behind the cars. This makes the race for me heroïc.
Leif Hoste and Stijn Devolder wil be ther too, you'll see.

🙂 🙂 🙂
Certainly and permanently, if Tom Boonen has no breakdown, then he will win certainly. I grant it him most.

winnezele said:

Boonen is a real kassei(pave)-rider, remember Hincapie desperately trying to keep the wheel of Boonen 3 years ago. I think in the final nobody will be able to follow him. ofcourse luck needs to be with him. Eevry year I go and watch the spectacle in Wallers-Arenberg and Chereng-Gruson (Carefoure de l'Arbre). I like it most when it's very dry, the dust is coming up behind the cars. This makes the race for me heroïc.
Leif Hoste and Stijn Devolder wil be ther too, you'll see.

Rumour has it that the Arenberg Pave will be missing from this years P-R is that correct?

leegregory said:

Rumour has it that the Arenberg Pave will be missing from this years P-R is that correct?

That's right! They have decided to take the Bois de Wallers-Arenberg out of the course, for being to dangerous. Remember Museeuw falling there a couple of years ago and being out of competition for months?

And of course, Tom Boonen wil win. I saw him live last sunday during the Ronde and he was simply astonishing!

Dead Star said:

woohoo, I pray that they will be. Otherwise there'll be thousands doing rain dances the night before. (hi btw, it's sing_for_absolution from cyclingplus forums 😎 ).

Hey SfA 😉

Re the Arenberg Pave being taken out - yes thats true but theyve replaced it with more pave.In fact i read somewhere there is overall MORE pave than recent years , its just doesnt include that nasty stretch.
Boonen took it easy today in Gwent , he has to be favourite again for P-R i'd agree.
Hincapie pulled out today btw , not sure if he was involved in the massive crash half way through the stage.Roger Hammond also broke his arm 🙁 Poor [censored] had his whole season based on bettering last years 3rd place in P-R , now hes out.Disco will be [censored] for the rest of the classics without those 2.

winnezele said:

Boonen is a real kassei(pave)-rider, remember Hincapie desperately trying to keep the wheel of Boonen 3 years ago. I think in the final nobody will be able to follow him. ofcourse luck needs to be with him. Eevry year I go and watch the spectacle in Wallers-Arenberg and Chereng-Gruson (Carefoure de l'Arbre). I like it most when it's very dry, the dust is coming up behind the cars. This makes the race for me heroïc.
Leif Hoste and Stijn Devolder wil be ther too, you'll see.

how can you like it dry? :eek: A great Paris-Roubaix is when it rains and rains hard. Then we get to see a truly epic and great race. Everyone remembers that picture of Hincapie in 2001 being completely covered from head to toe in mud 😎

Roadrash Dunc said:

Hey SfA 😉

Re the Arenberg Pave being taken out - yes thats true but theyve replaced it with more pave.In fact i read somewhere there is overall MORE pave than recent years , its just doesnt include that nasty stretch.
Boonen took it easy today in Gwent , he has to be favourite again for P-R i'd agree.
Hincapie pulled out today btw , not sure if he was involved in the massive crash half way through the stage.Roger Hammond also broke his arm 🙁 Poor [censored] had his whole season based on bettering last years 3rd place in P-R , now hes out.Disco will be [censored] for the rest of the classics without those 2.

to the Hammond news, I can only say 'bugger'. Grr that's pretty bad news to hear. Now I bet DC will pretty much forget about him for the rest of the season, like they did with Jamie Burrow.

Hincapie had a flat that caused him to lose contact with the front group. After chasing for a while he decided to save his legs for Paris. I think Klier had a really good chance to win this one but not it is unclear if he will even take the starting line.

Every year I go to see P-R live, this year will be the twentiest time. I have seen many wet (even some snow)races and many dry. I prefer the dirty dust faces. When it's too wet over there it's not heroïc anymore but really painfull. The best ever on wet paves was Roger de Vlaeminck, he never fell.
So last year Musseeuw flat tire in the last 5 kms, Hoste flag in the wheels, a minor rider could win. Bad luck, his hand injurie or his own team could be Boonens biggest problems. Klier is no good anymore after 200 kms. Don't forget Hoste!!!!