It looks so easy on the television. Well, no, actually it looks pretty bloody hard. We think we have some understanding of how they suffer, how their bodies can take the continual beating. But we don’t really know. Not even by riding these abominations they call roads twice in the space of a few days can we understand the scale of the thing. Not even by witnessing firsthand a master of the cobbles effortlessly turning the cranks, cruising past us as if on a cushion of air by comparison to our bed of nails can we fully comprehend what it takes to ride these secteurs with any panache, style or speed.
While we witnessed a Roubaix masterclass from The Lion himself today, a new name could be added alongside his on the long list of legends on Sunday. Or it could be a former vainquer adding to an already impressive palmares. But as we’ve seen in the past, and even the past hours, luck plays as big a part as skill, talent and fitness in this most beautifully horrible race. And it plays an even bigger part in picking the top five in the VSP.
All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the spectacle. We’ll be doing the hard yards at the side of the roads of Troisvilles, the Troueé, and the Carrefour. Study the form guide, then throw it out. It’s no good to you here.
In the meantime here’s a look at a bunch of nobodies and a guru riding a secteur on today’s recon. The lesson comes at around 0.15.
[vsp_results id=”22968″/]
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. Fabian Cancellara
2. Thor Hushovd
3. Ian Stannard
4. Jesse Sergent
5. Filippo Pozzato
I hope thor can make something happen. Since he wore the bands, hes done shit for all. Seems like a really humble person from interviews and hasnt been able to catch a break last few seasons.
VSP PICKS:
1. lone ranger cancellara
2. wild bill hushovd
3. jesse james goss
4. bat masterson vansummeren
5. hopalong cassidy king
One thing that appears to have changed from the past years is that Radioshack have their shit together meaning Faboo can get to the later stages of the race with more matches in the box than previously. The best thing that can happen for that team is for team RadioSchleck to fuck off and start a new team. Skinny fucking losers.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Hushovd
3. Chavanel
4. Can't be arsed
5. checking the start list
@Dr C
Clearly not that confident he isn't going to finish if you've included him anyway...
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Turgot
3. Degenkolb
4. Chavanel
5. Stannard
VSP PICKS:
1. faboo
2. thomas
3. degekolb
4. flecha
5. phinney
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Taylor Phinney
3. Thor Hushovd
4. Ian Stannard
5. Sébastien Turgot
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Stannard
3. Roelandts
4. Chavenel
5. Phinny
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Roelandts
3. Turgot
4. Boom
5. Phinney
Random guess generator came up with these....
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Turgot
3. Thomas
4. Rolandts
5. Chavanel