Paris-Roubaix Discussion & Picks (with spoilers)

[JStonebarger]

Originally Posted by chiasticon

gonna go with MVdP on this one. even though he's not racing, I'm pretty sure he'll find a way to win.

Is it too early to pick him for Amstel Gold?

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by JStonebarger

Apparently MvdP opted out before the invites happened, a decision Grandpa Poulidor didn't agree with: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/poul...paris-roubaix/.

So did Corendon-Circus not get an invite because they are not French, or because they made it clear that MvdP wouldn't be riding since he's targeting Amstel Gold?

[45K10]

I'm going to go with Luke Rowe pulling the upset riding his full squish Pinarello. Followed by Van Aert and Naesen.

[chiasticon]

Originally Posted by JStonebarger

Is it too early to pick him for Amstel Gold?

not too early to pick him for anything. the kid's been a favorite to win since he lined up for his first race.

Originally Posted by Jaybee

So did Corendon-Circus not get an invite because they are not French, or because they made it clear that MvdP wouldn't be riding since he's targeting Amstel Gold?

depends upon who you ask. but probably the second one is reality.

[MattTuck]

Recon Ride Podcast

[OperaLover]

Two second place finishes. Looks like he held back for Ghent and Ronde.

[Jaybee]

Stybar is a nice pick... my primary concern would be that his team is so good that he may not be the "protected rider" when the key break goes.

van Aert has been in the final group of every race this season. If the weather is crap, I'm picking him.

[JStonebarger]

Weather isn't supposed to be a factor (50+, sunny, 12mph wind) but Wout still isn't a bad pick.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by JStonebarger

Weather isn't supposed to be a factor (50+, sunny, 12mph wind) but Wout still isn't a bad pick.

Ah, I guess I've been following our friends across the hall (including Flash) who are riding the sportive on Saturday in presumed crap weather.

Roubaix seems hard to predict - lots of chance involved in when you flat, where the nearest spare wheel is, random crashes. The strongest and the luckiest survive.

[GregL]

1. Sagan
2. Stybar
3. Vanmarcke (if the dodgy knee is feeling better...)

Would love to see Phil Gil add to his monuments collection, but me thinks it's a bridge too far.

Greg

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by JStonebarger

Weather isn't supposed to be a factor (50+, sunny, 12mph wind) but Wout still isn't a bad pick.

Latest forecast is 50/50 on rain both Saturday and Sunday with it being cold.

Maybe not something the pros would define as bad, but the weather here ain't a nonfactor.

[Lewis Moon]

WvA

[JStonebarger]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Latest forecast is 50/50 on rain both Saturday and Sunday with it being cold.

Maybe not something the pros would define as bad, but the weather here ain't a nonfactor.

You must have a better source.

Both forecasts I've seen have said 10% chance of rain, though one of the two said 50% for Saturday (which might mean less dust). The low overnight should be around freezing, but with a high in the mid 50s Sunday and max of 12mph wind.

EDIT: When was the last time we had a muddy PR? The year Museeuw crashed?

[alessandro]

Originally Posted by JStonebarger

You must have a better source.

Both forecasts I've seen have said 10% chance of rain, though one of the two said 50% for Saturday (which might mean less dust). The low overnight should be around freezing, but with a high in the mid 50s Sunday and max of 12mph wind.

EDIT: When was the last time we had a muddy PR? The year Museeuw crashed?

Last wet P-R was 2002: http://inrng.com/2016/04/rain-for-roubaix/

[efaust_o]

put me down for Degenkolb please....