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. Fabian Cancellara
2. Jurgen Roelandts
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Sylvain Chavenel
5. Sebastian Turgot
rollin isn't riding apparently so i'll take hugo houle. going to be an early morning tomorrow,good luck to everyone,cheers.
VSP PICKS:
1. chavanel
2. edvald boassen hagen
3. flecha
4. fab
5. houle
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Stannard
3. Chavanel
4. Flecha
5. Thomas
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Chavanel
3. Turgot
4. Roelandts
5. Ladagnous
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Flecha
3. Phinney
4. Van Summeren
5. Turgot
@Ron
I'll tell you thanks now for the treasure hunt you lead me down. Okay so you peeked my interset. He's a real team builder of a manager , his articulation or lack there of in this case was a bad choice. Then i read on and find out he is talking with sky with regards to teaming up so they may have a better chance over all. I would think that sort of tactic you would want out of the publics eye but what do i know. Ya i'm sure his guys are going to want to work real hard for him. Justsayen
Oh not that i'm changing my VSP, Fab has crashed twice this week and the last one was on a recon ride for the race. Banged his elbow up.
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Roelandts
3. Phinney
4. Van Summeren
5. Thor
Sparticus goes 3 in a row.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boasson Hagen
3. Phinney
4. Van Avermaet
5. Chavanel