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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This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
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I hate to be boring, but there just isn't a compelling argument for anyone else to win.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Chavanel
3. Phinney
4. Tjallingii
5. Boom
Fabu goes on a solo ride 50 k before the finish. The chasing group comes close, but it's not enough. John-Boy wins the sprint easily, Edvald beats Phinney in a photo finish. Selvaggi makes it into the top five simply because of his first name.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Degenkolb
3. Boasson Hagen
4. Phinney
5. Selvaggi
I'm gonna try the VSP for the first time in my life and bet on the sure horse.
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Vansummeren
3. Chavanel
4. Boom
5. Phinney
Oh wow, that clip reminds me a lot of the part in a "A Sunday in Hell" when Moser (I think?) comes through like a locomotive.
Ahem, the bibs have been updated? How the hell did I miss this!
Just like this
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Chavanel
3. Phinney
4. Boss Hogg
5. Vansummeren
Fuck the favourites. It's a Tricolore Trifecta, and Chav finally bags the big one!!
"Allons enfants de la Patrie,..."
VSP PICKS:
1. Sylvain Chavanel
2. Turgot
3. Ladagnous
4. Phinney
5. Haussler
VSP PICKS:
1. CHAVANEL
2. CANCELLARA
3. GREIPEL
4. DEGENKOLB
5. KRISTOFF
VSP PICKS:
1. lone ranger cancellara
2. wild bill hushovd
3. jesse james goss
4. bat masterson vansummeren
5. hopalong cassidy king
VSP PICKS:
1. Haussler
2. Fabbo
3. Chavanel
4. Phinney
5. Roelandts
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Phinney
3. Chavanel, Sylvain
4. Turgot, Seb
5. Hushovd