Paris-Roubaix: Discussion & Prognostications (There will be spoilers)

[MattTuck]

Vanmarcke is out. No decision on Phinney. Dylan Van Baarle looks again to be Cannondale's best hope.

Boonen is old as dirt, few will work with him and I'd say his chances of winning are slim to none, unless it comes to a sprint -- in which case he might get lucky.

I would not pick Sagan in this race, I just don't think this race plays to his strengths. And certainly not at those odds.

My podium:
Luke Durbridge - Solo
GVA - Small Group Sprint
Kristoff

[guido]

Phinney is a scratch. That helmet breaking tumble in Flanders is having more of an impact than they hoped...

I say Sagan and GVA catch the break and sprint for the win. Boonen out with a mechanical.

[echappist]

Degenkolb, GvA, Durbridge
Naesen and Boonen

[JimmyTango]

Quickstep is going to work real hard for Boonen... I think Terpstra and Stybar will be doing everything they can to protect him at the front and *if* something happens to Tommeke on of them will be looking to pounce on the opportunity.

Boonen,
GVA,
Naesen,
Terpstra/ Stybar
Maaaaybe Sagan (probably strong and motivated enough, but I agree with Matt that PR doesn't seem to suit him just right and he'll be too marked to get the W)

[BobO]

Boonen is going to have to be the sentimental favorite, but, I think the smart money is on GVA. I also think that Gilbert will make it an interesting race. Sagan for the place and Degenkolb show.

[ceolwulf]

Eddy Boss
Tony Martin
Terpstra

yes I'm dreaming :help:

[geeter]

Is it streaming anywhere free?

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

[GregL]

Boonen is going to have to be the sentimental favorite, but, I think the smart money is on GVA. I also think that Gilbert will make it an interesting race. Sagan for the place and Degenkolb show.
No Gilbert. He's resting up for Amstel, Fleche, and Liege. My money is on one of the "other" QS riders. Terpstra or Stybar.

Greg

[David Kirk]

The NBCSN site says it will air coverage on Sunday but I can't find it listed to show on Directv.

Any wisdom out there?

dave

[Llewellyn]

Matt Hayman for the double :banana: No, not really. I'd like Boonen to win but it's going to be tough.

[Plum Hill]

The NBCSN site says it will air coverage on Sunday but I can't find it listed to show on Directv.

Any wisdom out there?

dave
Preview on Charter Cable shows NBCSN coverage Monday evening at 6-9PM (CDT).
I guess Cycling on Universal HD is gone.

[BobO]

The NBCSN site says it will air coverage on Sunday but I can't find it listed to show on Directv.

Any wisdom out there?

dave

Dave, my DirectTV has it Mon 4/10 @ 4:00p 220 NBCSHD

[David Kirk]

Preview on Charter Cable shows NBCSN coverage Monday evening at 6-9PM (CDT).
I guess Cycling on Universal HD is gone.

Cool - I just checked Directv on Monday and sure enough it's on! In my time zone it will be 5-8:00 pm Monday.

Thanks man.

dave

[BobO]

No Gilbert. He's resting up for Amstel, Fleche, and Liege. My money is on one of the "other" QS riders. Terpstra or Stybar.

Greg

Ya, but he's been doing ballsy breakaways all spring. It's my guess he's gonna go off the front again, which, after last week will make the favorites react.

[galgal]

Can't wait, really looking forward to it. Can't predict winner, who would have thought Hayman last year. Sort of hoping Boonen can manage a record fifth. But, would be be pulling for upstarts who might pull it out.

[echappist]

Ya, but he's been doing ballsy breakaways all spring. It's my guess he's gonna go off the front again, which, after last week will make the favorites react.

Gilbert isn't racing Roubaix; that's what resting up meant

[BobO]

Gilbert isn't racing Roubaix; that's what resting up meant

Whoops, looks like I read some bad info on that one. :o

[weisan]

To borrow the typical response from Sagan when he's asked during interviews "Who do you think are the favorites?"

"Everyone!....everyone is a favorite."

This edition of the Roubaix is wide open.

[BdaGhisallo]

Watch out for Alexander Kristoff. He's my darkhorse, if a past Tour of Flanders winner can ever be a darkhorse.

[45K10]

Watch out for Alexander Kristoff. He's my darkhorse, if a past Tour of Flanders can ever be a darkhorse.

Yep, I was getting ready to post the same thing

[colker]

I bet on a dark horse.. anyone who is not a favourite and raced for the big guys, uncelebrated. P-R is a good race for this guy.

[weisan]

I bet on a dark horse.. anyone who is not a favourite and raced for the big guys, uncelebrated. P-R is a good race for this guy.

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Johan+Vansummeren+2011+Paris+Roubaix+Cycle+oCvgoET lC_hl.jpg

[nooneline]

I agree with a lot of y'all who are saying that there could be a dark horse winner. I mean, it's Roubaix - that's definitely the case. But this year just seems a bit more wide open than usual. There just seem to be more reasons to write off many of the main contenders than there are reasons for faith. Dego is still on the back foot and not as fast as he was before That Accident; Kristoff has never done too well at Roubaix. Sagan and GVA are the obvious classics favorites this season, but neither has a particularly good track record at Roubaix.

There are only a small handful of previous winners racing (Boonen, Terpstra, Degenkolb, Hayman) but only Boonen has one more than once.

Tons of great riders on the field - so many I wouldn't be surprised to see in the top 5 or top 10 - but I think Sunday's winner is going to surprise me. It just seems really hard to call.

After all - teams plan, pave laughs.

[MattTuck]

In this situation, I think it probably helps to look at team strength. Quick-Step is probably the strongest from top to bottom. Two previous winners and a guy who was 2nd.

However, it is hard to see how all that strength can be used to get Boonen to the finish line first. Would Boonen (who since last January has been saying the only reason he hasn't retired yet is because he wants to win Roubaix again) really let a break go up the road with Terpstra in it? Maybe. I don't know. I think it would be easy (relatively) for someone else on that team to win, given what Tom has said; but I think very hard for Tom himself.

I like the Martin/Kristoff 1-2 from Katusha. Orica Scott also looks pretty compelling with some good rides this year. Agreed that Dego doesn't seem to have it this year. Whether that is form or bad luck, who knows. Trek is doing terribly though, this classics season, so I think they will be the most willing to take big risks. The worst part of it, like you alluded to, is you have the whole team working for Degenkolb but no one is really sure he'd have what it takes even if you get him to the finale in a good position.

[nooneline]

Yeah and if we're looking at team strength... Trek has what it takes to do something resembling QS's "privateer collective" approach with Dego, Stuyven, and Theuns. AG2R is strong with Naesen, Vandenbergh, and Gougeard. And Orica, as you pointed out Matt. I'd say those 3 are the second tier below QS this weekend - from the perspective of breadth. It's different than BMC, which is so strong at getting GVA to 50km to go (or whenever) ready to blow the race wide open on his own.

[bicimechanic]

Service Course in Baltimore will be having it's annual Paris Roubaix viewing on Sunday morning from 8am to about 12. Come on out if you are in the area!

https://www.facebook.com/events/591068541090237/

[regularguy412]

WHOA! Early start!

[Matthew]

In the past NBCSN has showed it live. Not the case this year? Was hoping to tune in Sunday morning.

[MattTuck]

In the past NBCSN has showed it live. Not the case this year? Was hoping to tune in Sunday morning.

Is the commentary team still Phil and Paul? I hope not. I have been watching previous versions of roubaix all week on the trainer. Yesterday, I watched the 2016 edition, which was the NBC sports broadcast. Phill consistently confused Peter Sagan and Fabian Cancellara and repeatedly called Tom Boonen "Tim".

Fortunately, I'll be watching the Eurosport broadcast :hello:

[Red Tornado]

Degenkolb
van Avermaet
Boonen
Sagan
Lampaert

Dark horse: Terpstra

[GregL]

In the past NBCSN has showed it live. Not the case this year? Was hoping to tune in Sunday morning.
This year it will be streamed live on the NBC Sports Gold app starting at 4:50 AM EDT. If you purchased the app in 2016, it's still good through June.

Greg

[Elefantino]

I will be up for the start, when Eurosport goes live at 155 PST. I think I need to go to bed NOW.


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[marciero]

Where are we in the race? Usually Cycling news has live updates but am not seeing them. Am trying to decide whether to do the NBC Gold.

[misterha]

Where are we in the race? Usually Cycling news has live updates but am not seeing them. Am trying to decide whether to do the NBC Gold.

Race is on Sunday!

[marciero]

Race is on Sunday!

Oh right! thanks!

[Gartenmeister]

Has anyone purchased or have experience with the "NBC Sports Gold Cycling Pass?" Does it work well? Is it live only or can a subscriber watch programing at a later time/date?

The website says for $19.99 I can buy it and watch cycling through June 29 (at which point I assume it will want more money to watch the Tour).

I don't have cable/satellite TV...fine with paying the money to watch Roubaix....just want to make sure it really works and I can watch it in the afternoon.

[MattTuck]

Has anyone purchased or have experience with the "NBC Sports Gold Cycling Pass?" Does it work well? Is it live only or can a subscriber watch programing at a later time/date?

The website says for $19.99 I can buy it and watch cycling through June 29 (at which point I assume it will want more money to watch the Tour).

I don't have cable/satellite TV...fine with paying the money to watch Roubaix....just want to make sure it really works and I can watch it in the afternoon.

can't speak to the NBC Sports package, but Eurosport Player with a VPN is a workable solution as well and they typically have the video available later that same day for streaming.

[GregL]

Has anyone purchased or have experience with the "NBC Sports Gold Cycling Pass?" Does it work well? Is it live only or can a subscriber watch programing at a later time/date?

The website says for $19.99 I can buy it and watch cycling through June 29 (at which point I assume it will want more money to watch the Tour).

I don't have cable/satellite TV...fine with paying the money to watch Roubaix....just want to make sure it really works and I can watch it in the afternoon.
I've been using the NBC Sports gold app since last year's (2016) TDF. I've found it to work very well. You can watch the races live or view the recorded events later at your convenience. It works great on my iPad. I can connect the iPad to a big screen TV with an HDMI cable if desired.

Greg

[Web1111a]

I use my roku and Apple TV to watch NBC sports gold

[Elefantino]

Damn, it's early. Or late. Not sure which.

[weisan]

http://tiz-cycling.racing/live-stream/

[weisan]

Such a beautiful race...

Just finished working on one bike on the stand while this is playing in the background....no hurry, 6+ more hours to go. :p

The Richard Sachs is next...:banana:

[oldpotatoe]

Such a beautiful race...

Just finished working on one bike on the stand while this is playing in the background....no hurry, 6+ more hours to go. :p

The Richard Sachs is next...:banana:

I thought I got up early:p

Orica guy, disc brakes, puncture..no neutral support(altho Mavic car there)..they have some work to do on wheel changes..took..for...ever...

Flat, dry race..not sure what advantage discs would be today. :)

[weisan]

I thought I got up early:p

I am an early riser, awake usually around 4. Love the quiet and the solitude...

By the way, if you ever have to work on quill stems, this is an invaluable tool.

[chengher87]

I don't know how you people in the Midwest and West do this.......On the east coast, getting up to watch all these races was manageable. But, getting up 2AM today for Paris Roubaix and last week at 3AM for Flanders now that I moved to Denver? Don't know how I'll hold up during the grand tours.

Not that I'm going to stop though.

[weisan]

Cheng pal, this is the way I think about it...

Would I sleep in and miss witnessing the birth of my child even if I have to wait 13+ hours and it's almost 3 am in the morning and I am dead tired...which by the way is NUTHIN! compared to what our wives have to go through during pregnancy and pains of childbirth...

Would I whine and complain about picking up my high school girlfriend at 4am in the morning when she gets off work from the store?

It's Eroica and I have to be at the start line at 4:15 am, would I want to miss it?

Some of you might think it's ridiculous to compare Paris Roubaix with these examples or life events...I don't.

This is the one and only PARIS ROUBAIX!

It only happens once a year.

You just do it!

No question asked.
:D

[chengher87]

Cheng pal, this is the way I think about it...

Would I sleep in and miss witnessing the birth of my child even if I have to wait 13+ hours and it's almost 3 am in the morning and I am dead tired...which by the way is NUTHIN! compared to what our wives have to go through during pregnancy and pains of childbirth...

Would I whine and complain about picking up my high school girlfriend at 4am in the morning when she gets off work from the store?

It's Eroica and I have to be at the start line at 4:15 am, would I want to miss it?

Some of you might think it's ridiculous to compare Paris Roubaix with these examples or life events...I don't.

This is the one and only PARIS ROUBAIX!

It only happens once a year.

You just do it!

No question asked.
:D

Haha, you've stoked my motivation!

[godukes]

this is the best most HD stream I have found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXUhEnmSLrE

[ultraman6970]

Move back to the east coast :P

I don't know how you people in the Midwest and West do this.......On the east coast, getting up to watch all these races was manageable. But, getting up 2AM today for Paris Roubaix and last week at 3AM for Flanders now that I moved to Denver? Don't know how I'll hold up during the grand tours.

Not that I'm going to stop though.

[shovelhd]

this is the best most HD stream I have found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXUhEnmSLrE

Just went dark. Boo.

[berserk87]

Just went dark. Boo.

Anyone have an alternate stream that they are picking up?

[Plum Hill]

http://tiz-cycling.racing/live-stream/

[berserk87]

http://tiz-cycling.racing/live-stream/

Super. Thanks. I had switched to a stream from Luxembourg. The picture was nice, but no English commentary.

[Red Tornado]

http://tiz-cycling.racing/live-stream/

Not working for me. Just a still aerial shot. One of the ads worked flawlessly, though.

[MattTuck]

Day is shaping up well. lazy morning watching roubaix, first outside ride of the year after that, and then watching the masters finish. doesn't get much better. :banana:

[joosttx]

Tony Martin will win. I have this info from a very reliable source.

[MattTuck]

77k... Sagan is like, "this is getting boring. I think I'll go now."

Seems fool hardy, this early.

[weisan]

Tony Martin will win. I have this info from a very reliable source.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tonymartin_degenkolb_PEZ.jpg

[ultraman6970]

Sagan got a puncture?? anybody saw how the bike crossed ???

[MattTuck]

Sagan got a puncture?? anybody saw how the bike crossed ???

Did not see it, but he had some issue. Now Stuyven and Oss are left dangling out there. this move from Boonen would be good if it came up to them.

[thwart]

Boonen seems to want to lead in the cobbled sections... the seasoned veteran willing to burn a few matches for less dust/dirt and less chance of a puncture or accident... ?

[azrider]

http://tiz-cycling.racing/live-stream/

danggit...........no longer working (for me)

[BdaGhisallo]

danggit...........no longer working (for me)

It often locks up. Try re-loading the page. That usually rectifies things for me.

[godukes]

It’s nice to know that the pay service isn’t up to snuff and that NBCSN and ASO are busy shutting down feeds instead.

[Web1111a]

NBCsn has been flawles on my Roku

[Tickdoc]

Tiz working great for me. Thanks for the link!
Got up early to do a little turkey hunting with my son and got to see the start on my phone while in the blind ;-)

[godukes]

NBCsn has been flawles on my Roku

Sorry, SN or Gold - cause SN on my apple tv doesn't have it and gold has been way, way spotty

[trener1]

With NBCsn do you have to pay for the gold? or does it work with your cable subscription

[trener1]

Ok cool, got it live and in HD on my apple TV

[godukes]

Ok cool, got it live and in HD on my apple TV

Hi - on the NBCsn app on apple TV or something else?

[weisan]

Degenkolb....hmmm....

[Web1111a]

With NBCsn do you have to pay for the gold? or does it work with your cable subscription

You pay for the gold works on

[echappist]

ugh, Stybar

[thwart]

Earned it.

[weisan]

Flash pal WON!!!

http://media.comicbook.com/2016/07/the-flash-192898.jpg

[abr5]

ugh, Stybar
At least he didn't win

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[echappist]

At least he didn't win

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

thank goodness

karma for Stybar

[guido]

Beautiful ending!

[FlashUNC]

GvA is God.

[wpod]

What a race and finish by GVA and wholly agree with the point on karma.

[trener1]

Yeah I was hoping that anyone but Stybar would win.

[trener1]

Hi - on the NBCsn app on apple TV or something else?

Sorry just saw this now, but yeah it was the NBCsn app (I think) on the apple TV, you should be able to catch the full replay

[trener1]

Sorry just saw this now, but yeah it was the NBCsn app (I think) on the apple TV, you should be able to catch the full replay

Ok I just double checked, and it's actually called NBC Sports

[chengher87]

GvA Having as good a classics year as I've ever seen. As long as Stybar didn't win, I was fine.

[echappist]

What a race and finish by GVA and wholly agree with the point on karma.

Yeah I was hoping that anyone but Stybar would win.

Irony here being that it's GvA that's usually gets criticized for taking smaller turns in breaks, but at least he still contributes. Stybar was atrocious, not taking a single turn for 10km before attacking...

[weisan]

.

[LJohnny]

On the road and watched the whole thing of the iPhone app, nbcSports Gold. It worked flawlessly for me.

I liked the race this year, missed seine cancellara in it though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tickdoc]

Great race. Congrats to GVA and exciting to have a new name to watch for....Gianni Muscon.

[efaust_o]

GVA...talk about a hot streak....I could see he had it won before they ever crossed the finish line...calm, cool, collective all attributes of a winner! Was there footage of him bridging up to the so called winners group after the mishap at the pinch point when his teammates were all there? I missed it if they showed it...next thing I knew he was there...according to CK & SK...

[MattTuck]

great race today. Strongest guy all year won it. If Sagan hadn't had that poorly timed flat when he was in that original four man group, I actually think he would have done much better. But that is the roll of the dice aspect of the race.

Cannondale was able to make something out of nothing, so good for them.

Trek was able to make nothing out of something. Great news for the future, with Stuyven and Theuns in the top 10 (Degenkolb too). But, seems they just cannot convert that strength into podiums and wins.

[Red Tornado]

As the Boonen group lost ground (final 5-10k) I think Stybar lost his "excuse" for just sitting on. However I can understand why he would be hesitant to take any big pulls after that (fatigue, not as strong as his two companions); not that I agree with his tactic, just can understand. Probably being the smartest vs. the strongest rider at that point was what was going through his mind, maybe? But I'm not a fan of guys sitting in & coming around to win at the last second so glad GvA out sprinted him. He & Oss were a 2 man wrecking crew in the later part.
Was hoping for a better showing from Degenkolb and expecting Boonen to be maybe top 3 or 5.
Sure is GvA's year.No more "nearly man". I'm happy for the guy, always find myself pulling for him.
Now if we can just get a Monument for Sep, and I'll bet Roger deVlaeminck is probably breathing a sigh of relief and maybe QS can stop with the negative racing.

[Jad]

Great to watch the race and cheer for the winner until the last sprint. A dual image of the day would be GVA first dragging his bike back against the current in a dust cloud at the side of the road, and then later hoisting the cobble.

[MattTuck]

Now if we can just get a Monument for Sep, and I'll bet Roger deVlaeminck is probably breathing a sigh of relief ...

really good point. The youngest rider with a roubaix win is Degenkolb, and he is 28 currently. (no current riders have more than 1 roubaix win) So, let's say he stays at top form for another 5 years of racing, he'd have to win 3 out of the next 5 editions of Roubaix to tie Boonen. Which seems pretty unlikely given his recent results.

I'll grudgingly give him a pass this season, mainly on the strength of his 2015. Coming back from a nasty injury last year, and a new team this year. He has a lot of expectations on him and needs to come through for next year, as he's in his prime and has now lost 2 classics seasons. (This is speaking purely as a one day racer, not a sprinter)

Still, as you alluded to, the era of Boonen and Cancellara is over. And there probably will not be another rider with the opportunity to equal the record for a generation. Boonen and Cancellara already had one in the bank when they were 24 and 25, respectively. Which, when it comes to the simple math, means it is much more likely to win 2 or 3 of the next 10, than it is to win 3 or 4 of the next 6.

[Zee]

Would you want to see the last 30k?

I did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Bveaq0WdQ&feature=youtu.be

[FlashUNC]

No Monument this year for Sagan. Too bad so sad.

[ptourkin]

Irony here being that it's GvA that's usually gets criticized for taking smaller turns in breaks, but at least he still contributes. Stybar was atrocious, not taking a single turn for 10km before attacking...

Pretty sure that Quickstep was not going to let him work until there was absolutely no chance of the Boonen group catching. When it went up to 51 seconds there is room for criticism but really, how much **** would be talked if Stybar was working to keep away while Tommeke still had a chance?

[ptourkin]

No Monument this year for Sagan. Too bad so sad.

Came here just to read this take. Congratulations.

[jlwdm]

Pretty sure that Quickstep was not going to let him work until there was absolutely no chance of the Boonen group catching. When it went up to 51 seconds there is room for criticism but really, how much **** would be talked if Stybar was working to keep away while Tommeke still had a chance?

If Boonen every had a chance.

Jeff

[Elefantino]

No Monument this year for Sagan. Too bad so sad.

Hes not riding LBL or Lombardia?

[Hank Scorpio]

If Boonen every had a chance.

Jeff

Somewhat agree but the problem I have with Stybars performances that if he had enough left to cover Gva's break where was he the rest of the race? Why was Boonen covering his own moves. I think Terpstra's abandon may have doomed whatever small chance Boonen had of winning.

[livingminimal]

Vaughters taking partial credit with his coaching for Langeveld's third is nauseating.

[choke]

Well....that was a disappointing ending. I didn't get to follow it as I was out riding and reading the reports I'm glad that I wasn't watching. Good on Stybar for not giving a pull.

I used to be "anyone but Cancellara"....looks like it's time to change that mantra to "anyone but GvA".

[echappist]

Pretty sure that Quickstep was not going to let him work until there was absolutely no chance of the Boonen group catching. When it went up to 51 seconds there is room for criticism but really, how much **** would be talked if Stybar was working to keep away while Tommeke still had a chance?

the thing is, Stybar drove the pace on Carrefour, which would make his latter actions a bit puzzling

[Lovetoclimb]

Huge Stybar fan over here. So he skipped some pulls, every bike racer does it. Cheap move, sure. Did it possibly help him get that big gap during his sprint, possibly. I appreciate he tried to animate things around 4K but realistically that wasn't going anywhere and I'm surprised his DS even let that happen. Overall a good race to watch with the most deserving winner. GVA is eclipsing Sagan as one of the most balanced one day racers out there. Between him and Sagan, once their respective careers are a wrap I'd love to see all the side by side stats. To my knowledge GVA has never been a factor in the grand tours no? He sure does love to race and that comes through which is great for us watching. I get the same vibe from Stybar, maybe with Boonen retiring he will get more support as a top gun.

[FlashUNC]

Hes not riding LBL or Lombardia?

He rode Lombardia once if memory serves. Never rode LBL. Or I have that backwards.

Too hilly.

[PepeM]

To my knowledge GVA has never been a factor in the grand tours no?

He wore the yellow jersey for a while last year.

[Elefantino]

I remember in the not-too-distant past when GVA was known as "Mr. Second Place."

[MattTuck]

Huge Stybar fan over here. So he skipped some pulls, every bike racer does it. Cheap move, sure. Did it possibly help him get that big gap during his sprint, possibly. I appreciate he tried to animate things around 4K but realistically that wasn't going anywhere and I'm surprised his DS even let that happen. Overall a good race to watch with the most deserving winner. GVA is eclipsing Sagan as one of the most balanced one day racers out there. Between him and Sagan, once their respective careers are a wrap I'd love to see all the side by side stats. To my knowledge GVA has never been a factor in the grand tours no? He sure does love to race and that comes through which is great for us watching. I get the same vibe from Stybar, maybe with Boonen retiring he will get more support as a top gun.

I think GVA is 4 years older than Sagan. I'd hope that Sagan has more classics victories by the time he retires, or else that will mean he's REALLY fallen off.

In general, I've been less than impressed with Quick-Step's racing tactics the past two seasons. This year, Gilbert was a blessing for them. But it seems that other teams have evolved and they're still trying to use negative tactics. Say what you will about some of the comments from Sagan and Contador, but people want to see engaging racing. It is an entertainment product. Seeing how good GVA has been all year, I think Stybar knew he was riding for 2nd. Why not contribute a bit? It makes the team and rider look honorable, and you'd avoid this whole internet chat room situation where people have a problem with him. (Yes, I realize that they may be more concerned about Belgian fans with allegiance to Boonen)

Stybar is 31 now, so unlikely that Quick-Step will build the team around him for the future. Terpstra is 32, and neither have signed with QS beyond 2017. They have some other young talents that they may prefer to develop, Alaphilippe, Lampaert, Trentin and Gaviria to name a few.

This all may be moot anyway, because (as far as I know) the team hasn't found a sponsor for next year.

[trener1]

Vaughters taking partial credit with his coaching for Langeveld's third is nauseating.

As long as he also takes "credit" for the team not having a world tour win in 1.5 years as well

[ultraman6970]

A lot of teams have not much money, at the time to pay for the riders, as with everything... u get what you pay for.

I was totally seeing sagan winning today, next year i guess.

[nooneline]

Has Flash been in here to beat a dead horse about Sagan's flat tires are proof that he's overrated and makes bad tactical decisions?

Just checking.

[FlashUNC]

Has Flash been in here to beat a dead horse about Sagan's flat tires are proof that he's overrated and makes bad tactical decisions?

Just checking.

Flat tires are just bad luck. Helping Daniel Oss get clear of the main bunch with 70k to go was not smart tho.

As Hennie Kuiper said, racing is kicking your opponents plate clean before starting on your own. A lesson Peter has yet to learn. Well that and his team is hot trash.

[buddybikes]

Long live RIM brakes

[MattTuck]

A lot of teams have not much money, at the time to pay for the riders, as with everything... u get what you pay for.

I was totally seeing sagan winning today, next year i guess.

Can I ask, why you were expecting him to win?

His recent finishes in Roubaix, leading up to yesterday's race:

2016: 11th, 2:20
2015: 23rd, 0:31
2014: 6th, 0:20
2011: 86th, 13:04

Compare to Sep Vanmarcke (who was absent yesterday, unfortunately)

2016: 4th, s.t.
2015: 11th, 0:31
2014: 4th, 0:20
2013: 2nd, s.t.
2012: 84th, 13:05

Peter's best two performances (highlighted in red) in the last 4 years were finishing in the group with Sep, which were Vanmarcke's worst performances over that same period.

Sagan has enough talent to win a lot of one day races, but I don't see any evidence that convinces me he should be the favorite for Roubaix the same way he is for Flanders. Despite Boonen and Cancellara doing the double twice each, the races are different enough that they really are not suited to the same type of rider.

[ultraman6970]

Because probably he is one of the most exiting riders around?? Is hard not to be this kid fan with what he does... I do get were are you coming from... the stats says this and that but with two world champions and a bunch of stuff done you can't let sagan out of the list of winners. For the olympics he started at the back of the group and before the 1st lap he was right there till his puncture and then that's it... bad ending and P-R is just like that a mechanical or a late reaction at the wrong time and the race is gone, consider that the dude has no team again this year... what he has won has been pretty much his own merit and you can't deny that... and that's why you can't rule him out at all. Kid can't do all the chasing and controlling everything, that's not common in a racer but he does it sometimes. He died like 30 km to go... fair... he just stopped pedaling... why continue killing yourself because clearly other teams are not going to take him, thing that is fair aswell... result 30 km to go and the dude dies...:)

Stats are stats, a lot of riders have the talent but they are pulled back because they arent the designated winners for the team and stats do not include any of that neither accidents, neither punctures nor mechanical, only includes positions and wins... so much can happen in a race that you can put that into numbers... i do not deny that palmares work a lot... but as example you have the schlekcs... everybody loved them but as a riders were not even close to other ones IMO. Other example... contador... a lot of people dont like the dude but the m.o.f.o has been racing Great tours alone... yeah his stats sucks lately but you can't put "i raced even the TTT myself" in numbers... and you honestly need to factor those things aswell.

[livingminimal]

I think the Paceline Forum puts more pressure on Peter than Peter puts on himself. He seems to have a better grasp of his reality than some of his fans.

He's a great, powerful, amazing bike rider who will wind up with a remarkable palmares and over 100 victories, some monuments and some WCs.

He isn't Merckx.

[nooneline]

I remember in the not-too-distant past when GVA was known as "Mr. Second Place."

Yeah! At the Tour in 2015, he FINALLY won something - stage 13, an uphill kicker, straight-up defeating Sagan head to head, totally clear of the other sprinters and puncheurs. And I remember thinking, hey, at this point, if he never wins another race at least he can say "yeah but I got that other guy head to head."

It's funny, you know, it really seems like consistency is his incredible calling card. Like, he was always there in SO MANY races even before he started to figure out how to win them.

I've been a racing fan for long enough that you start to see patterns emerge, and it's funny to see when touted prospects don't make good - and when they do. I watched Vanmarcke race Roubaix when he was still with Cervelo and thought "this guy's something special," and then the next year he wins Omloop, goes on to podium Roubaix, and then... well... yeah. And I remember being really excited by Tiesj Benoot and Edward Theuns a few years ago, but haven't really seen them excite much, and here's Stuyven doing things at Trek I expected Theuns to do earlier. And here's Van Baarle and Naesen taking the fight to the more established classics stars.

It's hard to tell the flash in the pan from the riders with staying power but I think it's a quieter, more workmanlike development, with plenty of foundation *before* the weight of expectation - especially in super dynamic, hard-to-control races like the classics.

[crankles]

GvA is God.

hmmm so GvA now has exactly the same number of monuments to his name as Sagan, but no 5 green jerseys, or two world championships.

wait for it.....

[FlashUNC]

hmmm so GvA now has exactly the same number of monuments to his name as Sagan, but no 5 green jerseys, or two world championships.

wait for it.....

Have you been awake the last 14 months? Yellow jersey in the Tour, not just racking up intermediate sprints on empty calorie stages and winning a green jersey without having to even win a stage.

Omloop (a repeat win no less), E3 and Gent Wevelgem -- only the second man ever to win all those races in one Spring -- now Roubaix. Sagan can't even win semi-classics with that kind of regularity. Oh and in between he was second at Flanders to Phillipe Gilbert's greatest day on a bike in his life.

That's not even counting the Olympic gold medal on a course that Sagan said was too hard for even him. So he gets to ride a gold bike for the next four years while Peter was playing in the dirt for half a lap of a glorified marketing scheme.

Again, GvA is God.

[notsew]

https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/Peter-Sagan-Tour-de-france-2016-ywllow-and-rainbow.jpg

Pretty sure this was taken after he won a stage...

GvA and Sagan are both fun to watch. They're both good for cycling.

[azrider]

Vaughters is nauseating.

fixed it for you

[crankles]

Lol. this is always fun...

Sadly for GvA, I've been been paying attention a lot longer than 14 months...

We all know you hate Sagan, but GvA was a pro at being the bridesmaid long before Sagan, but never hath he suffered your wrath. Why not?

You simply like to pick and choose.

GvA is having a great year, but IMHO Saga is having a better career.

In truth I'm amazed Sagan manages to even win/place/show in races with a team seemingly made up of friends from high school...a point on which we both agree. It's not like Astana built a team around him, but Team Bora

and to save folks the trouble.
Gva:

Grand Tours
Tour de France
-2 individual stages (2015, 2016)
-1 TTT stage (2015)
Vuelta a España
-Points classification (2008)
-1 individual stage (2008)
Stage races
-Tirreno–Adriatico (2016)
-Tour of Belgium (2015)
-Tour de Wallonie (2011, 2013)
One-day races and Classics
-Olympic Road Race (2016)
-Paris–Roubaix (2017)
-Gent–Wevelgem (2017)
-E3 Harelbeke (2017)
-GP de Montréal (2016)
-Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (2016, 2017)
-Paris–Tours (2011)
Other
-UCI America Tour (2016)

Sagan:
Major wins
Grand Tours
Tour de France
-Points classification (2012 – 2016)
-Super-combativity award (2016)
-7 individual stages (2012, 2013, 2016)
Vuelta a España
-4 individual stages (2011, 2015)
Stage races
-Giro di Sardegna (2011)
-Tour de Pologne (2011)
-Tour of California (2015)
One-day races and Classics
-World Road Race Championships (2015, 2016)
-European Road Race Championships (2016)
-National Road Race Championships (2011 – 2015)
-National Time Trial Championships (2015)
-Tour of Flanders (2016)
-Gent–Wevelgem (2013, 2016)
-E3 Harelbeke (2014)
-GP de Montréal (2013)
-GP de Québec (2016)
-Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne (2017)
-Brabantse Pijl (2013)


Have you been awake the last 14 months? Yellow jersey in the Tour, not just racking up intermediate sprints on empty calorie stages and winning a green jersey without having to even win a stage.

Omloop (a repeat win no less), E3 and Gent Wevelgem -- only the second man ever to win all those races in one Spring -- now Roubaix. Sagan can't even win semi-classics with that kind of regularity. Oh and in between he was second at Flanders to Phillipe Gilbert's greatest day on a bike in his life.

That's not even counting the Olympic gold medal on a course that Sagan said was too hard for even him. So he gets to ride a gold bike for the next four years while Peter was playing in the dirt for half a lap of a glorified marketing scheme.

Again, GvA is God.

[FlashUNC]

Lol. this is always fun...

Sadly for GvA, I've been been paying attention a lot longer than 14 months...

We all know you hate Sagan, but GvA was a pro at being the bridesmaid long before Sagan, but never hath he suffered your wrath. Why not?

You simply like to pick and choose.




Not really. I don't like the hype train that unabashedly and completely left the station before Sagan did anything of note. Never mind that GvA has accomplished more in the Spring classics in six week span than Sagan has in basically his entire career to this point.

I've made clear where my fandom lies, I love the Monuments and, more broadly, the Spring Classics. Sagan is an incredible disappointment in these races on a regular basis with nothing but excuses from his fans, and statements that somehow this guy is the next Eddy Merckx. He's not.

Is that Sagan's fault? Not entirely. But I'm also not fond of the one-uppy showmanship when you're not, yanno, winning races. Its all a pale simulacrum of what Cipo did anyways.

So...a generally uncreative, attention-obsessed, over-hyped rider who's feasted on empty calorie race wins and a cycling industrial complex (ahem....Specialized...ahem) invested in (to borrow a pro wrestling term) putting him "over" with the fans has generally spoiled the mix for me with him. He makes baffling race moves for seemingly no reason and while he's alright freelancing in a free-for-all sprint -- much like Oscar Freire was in his heyday -- he ain't got much else.

Sagan's gone a year without a Monument and still just had one to his name and will til he gives it another shot in Spring 2018. Not like he'll ever be a real contender at Lombardia or LBL.

Compare him to the career trajectory of the guy who just hung it up on Sunday in Boonen: When Boonen was Sagan's age, he'd won Ronde twice, Roubaix twice, E3 four years in a row, KBK, Gent-Wevelgem, Schelderprjis twice, and had been the first guy to ever pull the Ronde/Roubaix/Worlds treble.

Sagan's palmares pales in comparison. But hey, folks like wheelies.

[ultraman6970]

Their palmares is impressive, but the biggest difference between the two is the team support, even in the worlds sagan went like with 2 guys??? Compare that to what the belgians, dutch, french, italians and spaniards take to each worldcup?? 6? 9? each team?? . As for the Olympics I do not think it was a marketing stunt because that circuit was insane, way too much climbing for sagan and for me was understandable try to go for the other discipline, bad luck he punctured at the wrong time in that race or IMo he could have gotten a medal w/o any problem.

The other factor I forgot is that no team is willing to even bother pulling him in a group, he is racing against everybody... because you never know what he is going to do and that makes him really dangerous... he wont win big races as Gva does just because of support, w/o support there's so much he can do you know...

[FlashUNC]

Their palmares is impressive, but the biggest difference between the two is the team support, even in the worlds sagan went like with 2 guys??? Compare that to what the belgians, dutch, french, italians and spaniards take to each worldcup?? 6? 9? each team?? . As for the Olympics I do not think it was a marketing stunt because that circuit was insane, way too much climbing for sagan and for me was understandable try to go for the other discipline, bad luck he punctured at the wrong time in that race or IMo he could have gotten a medal w/o any problem.

So GvA is a better climber than Sagan? C'mon man...

[crankles]

When Boonen was Sagan's age, he'd won Ronde twice, Roubaix twice, E3 four years in a row, KBK, Gent-Wevelgem, Schelderprjis twice, and had been the first guy to ever pull the Ronde/Roubaix/Worlds treble.


Remind me again what year St. Boonen was popped for cocaine?

[Fivethumbs]

Thank goodness he left U.S. Postal before the doping became really rampant.

[echappist]

Remind me again what year St. Boonen was popped for cocaine?

cocaine's a helluva drug

http://cdn.velonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SPTDW201.jpg

[jvp]

3 hr. recap on nbcsn right now (east coast).