Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 03/28/2015 10:41 AM |
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With Cancellara out, this shakes things up a bit, but it's not like he was riding super strong at the moment either. So with him out, and Boonen, who do you like in Flanders and Paris Roubaix?
I like Stybar and Kristoff, these are the most obvious, but Thomas is looking good, Van Amaermat just needs some luck, Boom is also looking decent. Vansumerren looks good. Sagan's head is not there, but maybe he can pull it together, keep Tinkoff's head from exploding?
It's kind of wide open really
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Oldfart
Posts:511
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| 03/28/2015 12:44 PM |
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| Sagan certainly has the physical talent but lacks the maturity and mental skills. Sometimes he seems to waste energy too early, follows too long plus I think the Peleton has figured him out and he gets rope-a-doped. Stybar, Thomas and all the others you mentioned are looking good. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 03/28/2015 04:14 PM |
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Sucks that he's out.
Back to Belgians, no?
Not quite on topic but was great that for one day Ben King got a day in the sun. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/28/2015 06:24 PM |
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Gilbert should reconsider riding Flanders. This may be the opening he needs plus he's on form.
I actually think Sagan is finally maturing tactically this year (his ride in MSR was good; there were just better sprinters) but now physically something seems off. E3 was unreal how he went backwards.
Vanmarke will be a force if he can finally get some luck; flats and broken cleat have held him back. Sky and Ettix have the depth of teams to control the coming races; BMC is looking good. |
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Hoshie
Posts:134
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| 03/30/2015 10:20 PM |
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Stybar or Thomas for Flanders. Kristoff or Stybar for Roubaix. Sep VanM dark horse for Roubaix. He seems a little off but perhaps he will come in at the right time.
I'd like to see Wiggins really fly at Roubaix and it could happen especially if it's a dry day, but I think Stybar has been on fire for a bit so if he isn't spent by then, I think he could have a real break thru at one of the big two coming up.
j |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 03/31/2015 09:27 AM |
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In no particular order....
De Ronde: Terpstra, Kristoff, Thomas, van Avermaet, Vanmarcke, Sagan
Paris-Roubaix: Stybar, Terpstra, Vanmarcke, Kristoff, Thomas, Degenkolb, Boom
Would like to see Vanmarcke take one of the monuments; I think he's due. Always liked the guy...
Got Sagan in the mix for De Ronde but I just don't know about him lately. Seems like he's not enjoying racing. Wonder why?  |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 04/02/2015 07:36 PM |
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| No way in hell (as in Hell Of The North) to predict who will win this race..... |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 04/05/2015 10:09 AM |
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| Pretty good calls by Red Tornado on the Ronde. |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 04/06/2015 09:45 AM |
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| yup, Kristof has been on fire, and you know Terpstra was going to be right there, P-R is gonna be good I have a feeling, now if we could just get some rain, make it a real epic |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 04/06/2015 10:34 AM |
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| if you remember who won last year (I had to google it) Niki Terpstra, he placed 6th in the (2014) Tour Of Flanders, he was not considered a contender. Just saying you can't predict who will win...Cancellara would have made it interesting though.....for info nbcsports is supposed to air P-R although it has not shown up on my Dish Network guide yet... |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 04/06/2015 12:04 PM |
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| well, stupid me, out to lunch as usual...Terpstra came in 2nd for this years Tour Of Flanders..so I think he might have a shot.... |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 04/06/2015 02:00 PM |
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Posted By Stefan Eckardt on 03/31/2015 09:27 AM
In no particular order....
De Ronde: Terpstra, Kristoff, Thomas, van Avermaet, Vanmarcke, Sagan
Paris-Roubaix: Stybar, Terpstra, Vanmarcke, Kristoff, Thomas, Degenkolb, Boom
Would like to see Vanmarcke take one of the monuments; I think he's due. Always liked the guy...
Got Sagan in the mix for De Ronde but I just don't know about him lately. Seems like he's not enjoying racing. Wonder why? Sticking with my picks for P-R, but I've got a "?" over Kristoff at this point. Not sure if P-R really suits him as well as de Ronde and some of the other races. I wouldn't be surprised to see Paolini (if he rides) maybe take a shot.
Still would like to see Sep get a big one, though. I constantly find myself pulling for him. He will be motivated after this past weekend's flop.
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/06/2015 02:12 PM |
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I dunno....I would say PR suited him better than De Ronde, so I'm guessing he is the 5 Star favorite for next weekend. Now, that usually leads to some heavy negative racing in PR, so his chances may be limited unless SKY & ETIXX decides to ride aggressively instread of responding to Katusha's moves.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 04/06/2015 09:12 PM |
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| It really would have been interesting to see how Flanders played out if Cance and Boonen had been in there to tangle with Kristoff. I am going with Kristoff for Roubaix because he excels the longer and harder the race is. There are plenty others who may be tipped for success in Roubaix, but Kristoff's form is incredible at the moment. |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 04/06/2015 09:28 PM |
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| Notice the fans standing behind the barricades holding little signs that read "Go Cancellara" (or something like that). Guess they had no clue that he was out of the race....... |
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