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.
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Are we developing a bit of love for Zdenek Stybar on this site - I think I am - couple of our local heros tried to press him on a hill last year when he was training in Majorca, he rode with them for a bit, then they pushed him a little harder, at which he appeared to tire of them and absolutely roasted them on the next hill - these guys are top level amateurs over here, and said they'd never seen anyone shift so hard, way beyond a next level up
Nice quote from Nys about him - "Zdenek perhaps lacks experience, but he can push his boundaries like no other," Nys told Nieuwsblad. Lars Boom [former 'cross star] is perhaps intrinsically more talented as a road racer, but I see Stybar as being up there, just because he's a maniac," he added.
I like maniacs
Finally, a use for those gawdaweful new helmets (h/t, cycling inquisition):
@Buck Rogers
He's finished 1st or 2nd in EVERY one day race that he's lined up for so far this year. Dude's a freakin' stud for sure!
@Mirko
YES. I thought the exact same thing!
@Nate Brilliant, I could watch that for hours.
@Nate
Come on Bernie, leave Calimero alone...
He had mentioned that he went in to the Red zone quite deep on PR....it looks like Spartacus is off to Spain only this year to lay down the V
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/no-giro-or-tour-for-cancellara