It has been a brutal week for us Keepers, having decided not to hold a Keepers Tour this year. Watching the action from half a world away has been almost too much for us to bear, and I know most of the participants from last year must be feeling similarly. On Sunday, we would be escorted by our friends and guides, William and Alex of Pavé Cycling Classics, shooting from one location to another to watch the race, eating Genevieve’s homemade sandwiches and pounding Malteni like its going out of style.
We may not be there this year, but that doesn’t change the question on everyone’s mind: can Fabian do the double a record three times? Personally, I hope not – I want the double to stay special. Until 2003, the previous winner of the double was de Vlaeminck who had managed it in 1977 at which point it had only been done six times previously. But since Van Petegem pulled it off in ’03, Boonen and Cancellara have done it twice each – that’s 4 doubles in the last 10 years.
Come Sunday morning, I’ll be gunning for Boonen. He’s been behind his form just a tad, but he forced the selection on the Koppenberg last Sunday, so he has the power. Maybe a day of killing it in de Ronde was last touch he needed and he’ll be peaking for Sunday. Fabian of course will be strong, but Sep and Greg had strong showings last week and Vanmarke is now proving to be Flecha’s replacement – hopefully he’ll have more luck taking a big win Sunday.
The points from the Paris-Roubaix VSP count towards the overall prizes plus the winner of this event also gets to post for the rest of the year in the cobblestone badge. So check the start list, review the VSP Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on Sunday the 13th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero, so be sure to give yourself enough time.
Don’t forget we’ve got three major prizes for the season-long VSP:
Good luck, have fun with it, and don’t lose your Rule #43 spirit.
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Did no one in that final break pay attention at Dwars dor Vlaanderen? As soon as they gave Terpstra some time he wasn't likely to be coming back. Slightly anticlimactic given how good the last 2o odd km's were.
@Ron Yep: if there was any doubt, I think we can put the bash on Wiggo stuff behind us. That was a very impressive ride from him. Big respect. And good to see Thor get one last kick at the can in.
4/5 in the wrong order, but totally stoked for Niki. I really thought about putting him #1 after last weeks performance. Does anyone know what happened to Kristoff? Totally expected him to be in the mix, but didn't start watching until 15-20Km to go.
Kristoff flatted at a bad time (aka the Arenberg), had to chase from over a minute back, badda bing, badda buh-bye.
@scaler911 3/5 and only Stybar in the right spot (which doesn't really mean much). In actual fact, I would probably have enjoyed the race a lot more without the VSP. Watching my picks go poof was a little disappointing, but that was an absolutely terrific edition. Watching Boonen animate the race and rally the breakaway was awesome. Cancellara on the cobbles really is a sight to behold...
Overslept and then found out the race won't be shown on TV until tomorrow. Grrr!!
@tonymacaroni takes the cobble over @john and @Teocalli. Looks like a huge group got to the line together. Crazy! Going off to sort out what happened now!
@frank
NBC Sports are really screwing things up this year, no Flanders, PR not on live...at least they streamed it for free. I wonder if there is going to be less and less coverage on this shite channel as they show more and more NHL and Bull Riding!! FFS!
@frank
I'm starting to think central Europe is about the worst place to be to watch these races live. Sunday is primo long ride time, given that the shops are shut and I have to get all the stuff done on Saturday that I can't do during the week. I just made it home from 110km/1250m to watch the podium presentation.
Or I need to get up earlier on a Sunday.
I think that the biggest surprise was Wiggin's placing. Hats off to him!
Totally messed up my picks: 2 out of 5 and in the wrong order... Oh well, the race was interesting, nevertheless.
@paolo
What pisses me off the most is that I can't even buy Universal Sports online because I have Comcast. I woke up around 7:30 but went into internet blackout mode assuming NBC would show it at their usual 5pm. Fucking hate Comcast and NBC.