TdF 2014 cobblestones?

[ultraman6970]

The schleps will have big issues with that... the spaniards, belgians, and other tough guys wont have issues with that at all.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

The schleps, T, you kill me with that, every time.

[ultraman6970]

:d

[misterha]

I don't believe the Spaniards have won a cobbled classic, Flecha would be the only closest, getting podium a couple times.

[pbarry]

Never mind the cobbles, I still like to watch AS descending a col.

[patrick8037]

Don't be so sure about the Schleck's inability to handle pave. Remember in the 2010 Tour when they had cobbles, Andy finished in the front group, more than a minute ahead of Contador.

[ultraman6970]

Yes but thanks to FC, and cobblestones means the return to the tour of all of the classic riders, will be interesting :)

[choke]

I don't believe the Spaniards have won a cobbled classic, Flecha would be the only closest, getting podium a couple times.Valverde won L-B-L twice, Friere won Gent-Wevelgem and Flecha won Het Volk.

[CircuitHero]

I just want to see everybody on box-section wheels.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

I just want to see everybody on box-section wheels.

Plus 1.

[jpw]

...they have cobbles in Yorkshire.

[ultraman6970]

IMO from all the good spaniards the less classic rider of all is Contador, but he is getting more savvy so who knows. A few years ago he got trapped in the crossing winds, and he did the corrections about it the next season so who knows what he will do in the cobblestones.

The problem with Valverde, Freire and Flecha and I have to include Rodriguez is that they haven't been able to crown their palmares with a TdF win (or a world champion jersey) thats why it looks like they aren't that good but if you look their palmares at least rodriguez and valverde have podium for 2 or 3 seasons straight in the worlds, TdF and Vuelta, and both won other races too, don't forget that Rodriguez won for 2nd year straight the points competition (not like others that haven't done anything in the last 2 years :D). IMO those two are the most consistent riders of the last 3 years, you can't discount them at all.

How Horner does in the cobblestones?

Valverde won L-B-L twice, Friere won Gent-Wevelgem and Flecha won Het Volk.

[PQJ]

How Horner does in the cobblestones?

Won Paris roubaix at age 42 on daughters tricycle with support of local chti sewing club? #ididthat

[teleguy57]

I just want to see everybody on box-section wheels.
Plus 1.

Love my Pave's on Nemesis. Unfortunately, it's now carbon even for the classics. While some smaller squads still break out the cobble wheels, I think Tommeke was the big-name holdout on box sections. Look at the last time a P-R winner was on aluminum rims -- Boonen 2009. Since then it's been carbon rims... sadly:)

http://thebikehubonline.com/merchant/467/images/site/battered_boonen.jpg

http://bicycling.com/blogs/thisjustin/files/2009/04/boonen04_paris-roubaix092.jpg

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

http://thebikehubonline.com/merchant/467/images/site/battered_boonen.jpg

True, and agree, sad. That pic, with the "Roval" labeled Nemesis rims, man Spesh can be tacky.

[jpw]

a hit that breaks a carbon rim will break a box section rim. the only issue is the cost of replacing a cracked carbon rim. box section are cheap. braking in the wet is the other issue.