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″/]
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VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Flecha
3. stannard
4. Thomas
5. chavanel
Although the Faboo procession may be spoilt (is his falling off on the reccy' of the course a sign?) I'm gambling on the cold weather suiting him.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gallery-paris-roubaix-reconnaissance-1
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Vansummeren
3. G Thomas
4. Chavanel
5. Flecha
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Stannard
3. Chavanel
4. Flecha
5. Roelandts
@frank
An improvement on him telling you to lose weight last year! Strong praise indeed, and nice when you find you've got your good legs on for a day like that too.
My deep jealousy is offset only by knowing I have 2 weeks of sunny Mediterranean riding coming up. I've had enough of the cold of this never-ending Winter, it's fucking miserable. The only plus point is that after employing Rules #5 & #9 and not missing a ride is that everything will seem easy when the weather improves.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Sylvain Chavanel
3. Boasson Hagen
4. Roelandts
5. Haussler
Favorites? Shmavorites.
VSP PICKS:
1. Taylor Winny Phinney
2. Chavanel
3. Devolder
4. Johan Vansummeren
5. Stuart O'Grady
@frank
Fucking sweet Frank.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Roelandts
3. Maaskant
4. Haussler
5. Pozzato
VSP PICKS:
1. F. Cancellara
2. T. Hushovd
3. T. Phinney
4. M. Hayman
5. S. Chainel
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Hauler
3. Biassed Hagen
4. Chavanel
5. O'Grady