strummer_fan said:I know that Hincapie had a flat, and lots of people will say... "Well, if he didn't have a flat...he could have..."
And I say...
Wasn't Hincapie running Carbon Semi-Aero wheels with 25mm Tubulars?
Boonen and Ballan were both using traditional, high-spoke count alloy-box rims with 27mm paris roubaix special tubulars (FMB and Vittoria Pave respectively).
I just think that the race preparation is a huge part of winning here, and the rim and tire choice could have added to Hincapie's troubles.
thoughts?
Good points.
As others have said, the leading three riders (Boonen, Ballan, Cancellara) all had the traditional aluminium wheels.
If Hincapie used carbon - this seems crazy.
Preparation for a race like PR is half the battle - Cancellara 2 years ago went out with the CSC squad and rode the course (Cycle Sport did an excellent piece on it).
He knew every single nook and cranny of the route.
For any rider who has serious ambitions to win PR - they need to have the right bikeset up and the need to know the course.........and they need luck.