Ronde picks

Wayne666 said:

Cancellara looks off the boil ....

If he doesn't feel like he's got the legs on the day he'll just dog it and save himself though. Like last year's P-R.

Devolder looks like he's not suffering too much coming off the Discovery program...

Wayne666 said:

I'm not so convinced. He had a nice finish because he was able to catch back up to the group as many other did, and sprinted well. He showed himself in a doomed early move in the finale but it was a tactical attack, not one of strength. He was well distanced by the strongmen on the Muur de Gramont and Bosberg.

Cancellara looks off the boil and Boonen looked very good, which should make him the big favorite for Roubaix. Hincapie will probably have to ride very smart to finish on the podium in Roubaix and he has a history of doing just the opposite.

I am just watching it now, and I see what you are saying. what I will also say is that there is one week until the start, and I would bet that he will be as sharp as he can be next Sunday.

edit: I don't think the move was tactical, I think he and Ballan realized it was their only shot to win.

thoughtforfood said:

I don't think the move was tactical, I think he and Ballan realized it was their only shot to win.

Yes, but that is tactical. At first I was thinking there goes Hincapie wasting himself again, but the more I thought about the more I gave him the benefit of the doubt, that he realized he was not going to be able to go over the final climbs with the leaders, so he tried to go away when he could.

Crankyfeet said:

If he doesn't feel like he's got the legs on the day he'll just dog it and save himself though. Like last year's P-R.

Devolder looks like he's not suffering too much coming off the Discovery program...

Yeah, he was working like a madman today... Apparently QS has the tricks too...

From Cyclingnews' article, someone could conclude, Devolder has stolen the victory from Barredo.

Andrija said:

From Cyclingnews' article, someone could conclude, Devolder has stolen the victory from Barredo.

How so? I don't see anything like that anywhere ...

Wayne666 said:

I'm not so convinced. He had a nice finish because he was able to catch back up to the group as many other did, and sprinted well. He showed himself in a doomed early move in the finale but it was a tactical attack, not one of strength. He was well distanced by the strongmen on the Muur de Gramont and Bosberg.

Cancellara looks off the boil and Boonen looked very good, which should make him the big favorite for Roubaix. Hincapie will probably have to ride very smart to finish on the podium in Roubaix and he has a history of doing just the opposite.

Just finished watching it on Vs. Couldn't look at the internet prior to this to avoid a spoiler.

I will say, the weather had a major effect - you never know how your body will respond to those conditions. I think George does look good for P-R, and really played a smart race. There was no way he could've responded to Devolder's move. His team, however, was nowhere to be found. Q-S and Rabo dominated, and with 30-40k to go, it was pretty clear someone from those teams was going to win.

Anyway, a great race, and thank goodness the season has started in earnest. Can't wait until next week.

confusedfan said:

How so? I don't see anything like that anywhere ...

Like they want to say that it wasn't Devolder's turn to pull yet, but he came to the front and attacked. Maybe Barredo wants to say if he was at the front (as it was planned), maybe he would be the man in winning breakaway, he was strong too.

Wayne666 said:

Yes, but that is tactical. At first I was thinking there goes Hincapie wasting himself again, but the more I thought about the more I gave him the benefit of the doubt, that he realized he was not going to be able to go over the final climbs with the leaders, so he tried to go away when he could.

By tactical I thought you meant to soften the field up or push for Eisel. He went with what he thought was his chance to arrive at the finish with a chance to win. I don't think he went out with the intention of getting caught and making another bid for the win.

I'm a [censored] and I post stupid unrelated [censored] to forums all over the internets.