Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Roubaix 2017

4x Roubaix. Can the record be beaten?

I was called a Boonen sycophant today by one of my editors, which didn’t feel as good as it sounds. But the fact is, I am. And the fact is also that I’m not ashamed of being such. It certainly feels cleaner than my Dirty Schlecky love from a few years ago.

Last year’s Boonen heartbreak (I’m talking about mine, not his) was bittersweet because Matty Hayman put in such a great ride to win, not to mention that Boonen was such a great sportsman. But with that near miss in the rear view mirror – the bad luck that many favorites had last week at Flanders, I’m probably more nervous about crashes and mechanicals than the racers are themselves. I’m a bit of a wreck, to be honest.

Last week took its pound of flesh from Vanmarke, who is out, and Sagan, who is battle-damaged. No Cancellara and a lackluster season from Degencobble puts a lot of pressure on my in-form boy Tomeke to make a run at his fifth and record-breaking Roubaix cobble. He rode today’s Scheldeprijs on the front and showing great strength, and then disappeared down the bunch to coast into the finish of his last race in Belgium as a Pro. Merckx, I’ll miss having him to watch.

But as cool as he is, he’ll never be RdV-fixing-his-fucked-up-leggings-on-the-bike Cool. Contemplate the startlist and get your picks in by the time the countdown timer turns into a pumpkin and good luck!

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frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

dancollins says:

Apr 7 2017 at 5:46 pm
VSP PICKS:
1. Van Avermaet
2. Degenkolb
3. Peter Sagan
4. Kristoff
5. Terpstra
Randy C says:

Apr 7 2017 at 6:01 pm
2012: Big screen HDTV television coverage and Tommeke gone off the front. Just may have been my all time fave viewing pleasure of a cycling race. I just really was digging that race that day. Our Mtn Bike team races Sunday so my day will be full on from early am. I'm debating saving race and finish for view later that eve when return home and keeping finish a suprise but I suspect that it'll be impossible for me to wait. I'd have to settle for watching live on the phone I guess.

VSP PICKS:
1. SAGAN Peter
2. Van AVERMAET Greg
3. KRISTOFF Alexander
4. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald
5. STANNARD Ian
John Irvine says:

Apr 7 2017 at 7:22 pm
VSP PICKS:
1. Van Avermaet
2. Boonen
3. Terpstra
4. Sagan
5. Kristoff
Rob says:

Apr 7 2017 at 8:07 pm
Since I have been kicking back, way back this year with the VSP I'll go completely rogue except for GVA who seems on fire. I know Peetie is the odds on fav but shit happens in this race... If he wins I will be thrilled. I love the humble "come on it's just a bike race" style combined with inhuman strength.

on a different subject why is the Polish K sitting this one out, injured or does he not do cobbles, any one know. Milan San Remo was pure guts!

VSP PICKS:
1. Van Laundrymat
2. Luck Underthebridge
3. Tony the Martian
4. Mythrough Hymen
5. Bernard Deisel
Pot Belj says:

Apr 7 2017 at 8:16 pm
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Terpstra
3. Naesen
4. Boasson Hagen
5. Martin
JCM says:

Apr 7 2017 at 10:30 pm
Go Tom, go!

VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen, Tom
2. Sagan, Peter
3. Van Avermaet, Greg
4. Naesen, Oliver
5. Stuyven, Jasper
Quadzilla says:

Apr 8 2017 at 1:06 am
Fairytales do come true!

VSP PICKS:
1. Tommeke
2. Saggy
3. GvA
4. Naesen
5. Turbo Durbo
osbk67 says:

Apr 8 2017 at 1:38 am
VSP PICKS:
1. Kristoff
2. Boonen
3. Rowe
4. Trentin
5. Boassen Hagen
Barracuda says:

Apr 8 2017 at 3:18 am
Cobble Gobbla

VSP PICKS:
1. Stannard
2. Sagan
3. Durbridge
4. Boonen
5. Terpstra
Paul Woodhouse says:

Apr 8 2017 at 4:16 am
VSP PICKS:
1. Terpstra
2. Van Avermaet
3. Boonen
4. Sagan
5. Hayman