We rode the Pavé of Roubaix in the dry, and any comforting feelings we might have been carrying about with us that suggested we had somehow prepared for them were summarily vaporized as we hit the first secteur. Riding together in a group, unable to reach for the brakes or the shifters, we all were hit with the same realization: these aren’t like the stones we have at home. Not if you live anywhere other than along the cobbled roads of Northern France. Not if you live in England. Not if you live in the Netherlands. Not even if you live in Belgium. And we won’t even talk about the rest of the world.
The Trouée of Arenberg is a sacred place. Arriving there, you feel the need to pray out of respect. Riding there, you feel the need to pray out of a sense of self preservation. There is no smooth path through these particularly rough cobbles. That was in the dry; if the race is wet as predicted by the weathermen (whom I assume are as bad at being right as they are in the States), then there isn’t a bag big enough to hold all the prayers the riders are going to need to get through these. And the Trouée is not the hardest or roughest secteur, by a considerable margin; that honor goes to Mons-en-Pévéle or Carrfoure de l’Arbre.
Keep an eye on the weather report as the race comes nearer, as wet roads will turn this race into one of attrition. Cancellara has broken his collarbone; Boonen, Pozzato, and Ballan are on form. But this is a long race, and details such as those matter little when a race contains over fifty kilometers of cobbles. Is it another year for the breakaway, or will the favorites close it down as they approach the finale? I don’t know, but watch the countdown timer and get your picks in by Sunday morning at 5am Pacific. Winner of this VSP event will earn the right to comment all year with the pavé commenting badge. We will also forgo the usual Symbol Pack prize awarded to a Monument and award the winner a copy of the local newspaper the day after the race.
Bon chance.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzato
3. Hushovd
4. Van Avermat
5. Vanmarke
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Boonen
3. Ballan
4. Chavanel
5. Hushovd
@paolo
I only see Juraj Sagan in the lineup, not Peter.
I am very curious to see if Hushovd has been hiding or purpose, or if he has nothing to show this spring. He's seemingly been absent.
Hmm, interesting though that many think it will be a team race without the Boonen-Cancellara slugfest. Chavanel is there to help Boonen though. He's looked strong this spring.
Think I'll stick Popo in there, looked strong last sunday for a while, and I think RadioSchleck might spring a suprise
VSP PICKS:
1. Galloping Man
2. Satan
3. Ballesandro
4. Popovych
5. Potato Tomato
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Chavanel
3. Pozzato
4. Van Avemaet
5. Vanmarcke
@paolo
According to his own website Sagan is not lining up for PR. Hey Frank if Juri Sagan is riding and people pick Sagan will that automatically mean J Sagan or what if they both ride? We have to specify, no? Sorry to bother you whan your having so much fun
Just enter both names for Sagan to be safe. With everyone out riding, who knows if it can be sorted in time. Everyone has plenty of warning with it only being Thursday.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Chavanel
3. Pozzato
4. Ballan
5. Boasson Hagen
VSP PICKS:
1. Pozzato
2. Ballan
3. Boonen
4. Boasson Hagen
5. Vanmarcke