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. Faboo
2. Phinney
3. God of Thunder
4. Stannard
5. Boom selektah
Any chance for new winner? Big motors like Tjalingi, Devolder, and Stannard could be up there if the team leaders end up nursing a broken collar bone. Phinney still looks a little fragile but has pedigree on his side.
VSP PICKS:
1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Sebastien Turgot
3. John Degenkolb
4. Sylvan Chavanal
5. Taylor Phinney
@Donnie Bugno
As he won't even start, that's a save guess;-)
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Roelandts
3. Sylvain Chavanel
4. Stannard
5. Phinney
Off topic, but has anybody seen the 5. stage of the Tour of Basque Country yesterday? Is it normal that a Sky domestique like Kyrienka can spend two (!) hours in the wind, chasing down a leading group? I want to believe it, but I find it harder and harder.
This is the LAST time I'm switching!
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Roelandts
3. Devolder
4. Chavanel
5. Stybar
Did anyone else read the story where Lefevre said none of his Quick Step riders had any balls, then told them they should be riding for that smaller Belgian team? I thought that was pretty scummy to mock a small team with far, far less money. Kind of poor form. I also saw an archived story from a few years back about, I think, Frank Vandenbroucke, his whereabouts, and his doping. Lefevre gave some very fishy replies to questioning, stuff that would really piss people off today. Old song n dance stuff, but from a few years back.
I'm beginning to think less of him all the time.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Chavanel
3. Haussler
4. Turgot
5. Stannard
VSP PICKS:
1. Devolder
2. Cancellara
3. Hagen
4. Stannard
5. Flecha
@Ron
A gravelly whisper maybe. Don't know his cycling background. He uses quirky sayings and can get excited...esp about Boonen.
http://youtu.be/p5byJ-ibZgc