Paris-Roubaix Discussion & Picks (with spoilers)

[GregL]

Originally Posted by 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

Well, got two of the top five... just not in the correct order. Terrific race. Only the strongest were left in the last 20km. Congrats to Gilbert for a great victory. Four of five monuments to his name. Hope QS does everything to back him for MSR next year. And even an "off-form" Sagan is amazing.

Greg

[soulspinner]

You could see Gilbert looking comfortable the whole time. In fact after the race he seemed like he just went for a Long Slow Distance ride, which this was not.

[flydhest]

Just have to say, that was a good race to watch. Just great bicycle racing.

[MattTuck]

I am pretty sure I've said something boneheaded in the past about how we'd never see another rider win all 5 monuments because they are too specialized. Well, now we have the best chance of seeing it since Sean Kelly.

Pretty remarkable considering Gilbert withdrew from the tour after that terrible crash and then riding the rest of the stage with a shattered patella. This has to be the come back ride of the year.



I've never been a huge fan of him, but damn, that dude can ride a bike.

[Pearsom]

Great ride and a solid classics season for Politt... he's young, and looking like someone one to watch out for in the future

2nd Paris–Roubaix
5th Tour of Flanders
6th E3 Binckbank Classic

[martl]

obviously delighted with how well young Politt rode. Unafraid among all those giants of the classics. Will be exciting to watch him in the future!

[nooneline]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

I am pretty sure I've said something boneheaded in the past about how we'd never see another rider win all 5 monuments because they are too specialized. Well, now we have the best chance of seeing it since Sean Kelly.

I'll spit these words outta my mouth if proven wrong, but I don't think Gilbert can do it. What do we say about MSR? "Easiest race to finish, hardest one to win." It's such a crapshoot in many ways that wouldn't be factors if it weren't 300km... Nibali banged his head against the wall for the better part of a decade before finally getting it - Gilbert has much less time available.

But hey - he surprised me by figuring out Roubaix pretty quickly, so who knows.

[notsew]

Originally Posted by martl

obviously delighted with how well young Politt rode. Unafraid among all those giants of the classics. Will be exciting to watch him in the future!

Definitely not afraid to attack in a feed zone....

[JStonebarger]

Originally Posted by notsew

Definitely not afraid to attack in a feed zone....

And then two of his remaining opponents reported suffered hunger knock. Hm...

[93KgBike]

That was a brilliant race. Gilbert really showed his seasoning.

The pace was pretty incredible.

I wonder what they were on...

39's, maybe?

[martl]

Originally Posted by notsew

Definitely not afraid to attack in a feed zone....

i saw it, doubt he was attacking, i never saw his tongue. Thought he just kept his pace or at the very most accelerated at the end of the zone. IIRC he was at that point in a small breakaway group of 4 or 5?
Most ate while he didn't, that makes the "he forced them into hunger fatigue" a bit redundant, no?
no one seemed to think much off it afterwards, and no summary i found on the tube even mentioned the incident.

[notsew]

Originally Posted by martl

i saw it, doubt he was attacking, i never saw his tongue. Thought he just kept his pace or at the very most accelerated at the end of the zone. IIRC he was at that point in a small breakaway group of 4 or 5?
Most ate while he didn't, that makes the "he forced them into hunger fatigue" a bit redundant, no?
no one seemed to think much off it afterwards, and no summary i found on the tube even mentioned the incident.

Yeah I didn't see much made of it either, but it sure looks like an attack to me: https://streamable.com/i46ws - starts around 0:45

But if you plan something like that, and you get a couple gels in your pocket before you go, maybe you're in a bit better shape?

Either way, seems shady

[Onion]

Originally Posted by Pearsom

Great ride and a solid classics season for Politt... he's young, and looking like someone one to watch out for in the future

2nd Paris–Roubaix
5th Tour of Flanders
6th E3 Binckbank Classic

WVA looking very strong as well...to come back twice after a mechanical and a crash and reattach to that strong front group is impressive. wish MVDP's team had been invited.

[martl]

Originally Posted by notsew

Yeah I didn't see much made of it either, but it sure looks like an attack to me: https://streamable.com/i46ws - starts around 0:45

But if you plan something like that, and you get a couple gels in your pocket before you go, maybe you're in a bit better shape?

Either way, seems shady

yep, i stand corrected, its an attack.