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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View Comments
@Ron
Luckily Dutch was my first language so I check out sporza with Michel Wuyts "ooh la la la la...dat doet pijn!!"..in a good way.
Can't wait 'till Sunday.
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Phinney
3. Phozzato
4. Roelandts
5. Phan Summeren
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Van Avermaet
3. Thomas
4. Haussler
5. Offredo
Frank that was great. Give 'er hell! Chase then pull over and puke!! you are so lucky to experience that. Enjoy!
VSP PICKS:
1. CHAVANEL
2. BOOM
3. GREIPEL
4. DEGENKOLB
5. KRISTOFF
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Roelandts
3. Phinney
4. Van Summeren
5. Van Avermaet
@freddy
Wait, is Wuyts the guy who in a sort-of whisper pronounces/says it, "Payh-tur SAAAgan" and "Sep (said very quickly) VANmarke"? I bet he is, their main road racing guy, right? If so, he's superb and thanks for letting me in on his name. Did he race? Does he still ride?le
I do confess: sometimes when I'm out on long training rides I'll just hear myself saying the PRO names the way he says them, unconsciously and I guess just for fun, thinking about cycling...as I cycle!
The lads let me down last time, and now boyfriend is beating me in the VSP. They better ride like hell for leather on Sunday - I can't lose again!
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Sylvain Chavanel
3. Jurgen Roelandts
4. Greg Van Avermaet
5. Juan Antonio Flecha
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Roelandts
3. Degenkolb
4. Turgot
5. Kristoff
Well, hell. He may be having a hard time lately staying vertical on the bike, but no way I'm not picking Spartacus for Sunday.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Chavanel
3. Flecha
4. Phinney
5. Hushovd