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.
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View Comments
@Marcus
Not sure why, but this was hilarious.
Surprised that nobody commented on Gaudin's rediculous and paintul to watch pedalling style. Hard to believe he can ride in the peloton with those knees sticking out like his bike is way too small.
@El mateo
I've seen Escartin ride. Nothing shocks me anymore.
Gutted for Stybar - bloody awesome ride up until them.
Le Grand Faboo definitely has the motor back.
Brilliant.
@biggles
Stupid is in the eye of the beholder. It showed great heart for him to ride the race that way. To take turns at the front insured that they would stay away and basically cemented the possibility of him being one of only two riders that could win.
I would take a second place ridden that way over a wheelsuck win any day, but that's probably why I work a 9 - 5 job and have never won anything more than a Cat 4 race in my life.. so what do I know.
At the end of the day I agree with biggles - Van Marcke earned my respect in spades.
@Buck Rogers
Seriously? Those 'fans' were insane! Spartacus should have squashed them like he squashed the rest of the field. What a display of power. Otherworldly! Vanmarcke has nothing to be ashamed of
@Deakus
Thinking the same about Sky, but the moment I do they'll produce a result. They have riding to the numbers down to a T but the cobbles simply don't work that way. Too many uncontrollables and how can you see the readout on the SRM head unit bouncing so much on the bars anyway? Got to follow my instincts though. I had Terpstra and van Avermaet in, out, in, out when deliberating my VSP picks but stuck with the Sky boys and their desire and ambition to do well on the cobbles.
What you don't see on TV...
http://nos.nl/video/493569-de-achterkant-van-de-hel.html
@JC Belgium
Nice one, thanks, it gives a glimps at the reality for all the bad luck and hard work.
@JC Belgium
Great video. Thank you for posting!