Paris - Roubaix
Discussion
Nice to see the success of Cav/Wiggins/Teams GB & Sky translating into more TV coverage with the highlights of the Paris Roubaix this evening on ITV4.
I knew it was "over cobbles", but I'd never seen any actual footage before. Those guys are insane! Refitting all the fillings shaken loose at the end of the day must be a dentist's wet dream!
As for the result... hidden on the assumption some may have recorded it, I don't think I've ever felt so sorry for the runner up in any sporting event I've ever seen! To stay with a beast like Cancellara for over 150 miles and then lose out by a bike's length following near enough a stationary track stand to get position on the lap of the velodrome was obviously utterly devastating for Vanmarke.
I can't imagine the hell it would be just to ride that, never mind to finish second behind a legend in the second fastest race ever and feel like you've failed.
Anyway, roll on the next race, even if it is just highlights!
I knew it was "over cobbles", but I'd never seen any actual footage before. Those guys are insane! Refitting all the fillings shaken loose at the end of the day must be a dentist's wet dream!
As for the result... hidden on the assumption some may have recorded it, I don't think I've ever felt so sorry for the runner up in any sporting event I've ever seen! To stay with a beast like Cancellara for over 150 miles and then lose out by a bike's length following near enough a stationary track stand to get position on the lap of the velodrome was obviously utterly devastating for Vanmarke.
I can't imagine the hell it would be just to ride that, never mind to finish second behind a legend in the second fastest race ever and feel like you've failed.
Anyway, roll on the next race, even if it is just highlights!
The average speed for the winner was 27.5 mph... compared with 27mph last year and 26 the year before.
When you consider the amount of time they spent mucking about, it really shows you how fast Cancellara was going when he bridged that gap. On his own, it was astounding.
I reckon that although obviously in that race is a pro bike rider, the difference between some of the 'also rans' and the main man is probably as much as comparing a 4th cat with a 1st cat, its a HUGE gap. You only have to see how much likes of Russ Downing dominate races over here, or Stannard destroyed the best pro uk riders to become national champ, but they're not even close.
When you consider the amount of time they spent mucking about, it really shows you how fast Cancellara was going when he bridged that gap. On his own, it was astounding.
I reckon that although obviously in that race is a pro bike rider, the difference between some of the 'also rans' and the main man is probably as much as comparing a 4th cat with a 1st cat, its a HUGE gap. You only have to see how much likes of Russ Downing dominate races over here, or Stannard destroyed the best pro uk riders to become national champ, but they're not even close.
okgo said:
When you consider the amount of time they spent mucking about, it really shows you how fast Cancellara was going when he bridged that gap. On his own, it was astounding.
That was an awesome piece of riding to bridge the gap so quickly and then go again. Felt sorry for the OPQ guy who got clipped by the crowd though!itsnotarace said:
I'm really surprised Sep Vanmarcke came through and did turns on the front after Cancellara attacked about 4 or 5km out, Vanmarcke really deserved the win. Really felt for Stybar too, so unlucky
He didn't deserve the win at all. The bloke who destroyed the race then did the rest on his own deserved the win.Stybar was unlucky, but ride that close to the crowd and that is what you will get.
Though that w
ker that stepped right out and almost got hit by the motorbike should have been mowed down by the motrobikes imo.Vanmarcke should have had him, Cancellara was really suffering those last four kms and you could see he was nervous. Vanmarcke should have jumped him on that last cobbled section and at least tried something. His attempts in the velodrome were woeful.
There were moments during the Olympic road race when I thought some riders were going to get taken out by enthusiastic spectators...
There were moments during the Olympic road race when I thought some riders were going to get taken out by enthusiastic spectators...
Ted King's race report here with Strava data http://www.iamtedking.com/2013/04/paris-roubaix-ti...
Here is a pic of Eddy Merckx that shows how bad the roads are for this race. Really caught my attention.
If you can't see this picture, take a look at the photos on this Facebook page, there are loads of good 'uns on there: https://www.facebook.com/TheHortonCollection
If you can't see this picture, take a look at the photos on this Facebook page, there are loads of good 'uns on there: https://www.facebook.com/TheHortonCollection
Mr Gear said:
Here is a pic of Eddy Merckx that shows how bad the roads are for this race. Really caught my attention.
If you can't see this picture, take a look at the photos on this Facebook page, there are loads of good 'uns on there: https://www.facebook.com/TheHortonCollection
This year Arenberg was fenced off so the riders couldn't do what Merckx did and ride the mud path to the side.If you can't see this picture, take a look at the photos on this Facebook page, there are loads of good 'uns on there: https://www.facebook.com/TheHortonCollection
PHmember said:
pablo said:
Vanmarcke should have jumped him on that last cobbled section and at least tried something. His attempts in the velodrome were woeful.
Yeah, bloody poof - he'd only done 160 miles at an average of about 27mph. *Shakes fist at Vanmarcke for not pulling his finger out*And then I worked out that he had ridden three and a half times as far, at almost twice the speed. Awesome.
Gizmoish said:
PHmember said:
pablo said:
Vanmarcke should have jumped him on that last cobbled section and at least tried something. His attempts in the velodrome were woeful.
Yeah, bloody poof - he'd only done 160 miles at an average of about 27mph. *Shakes fist at Vanmarcke for not pulling his finger out*And then I worked out that he had ridden three and a half times as far, at almost twice the speed. Awesome.
re: mud. It's what the guys on Eurosport said. Sean Kelly did a VT piece about it where he rode it on the Saturday.
The most amazing thing I've ever seen with something related to cycling.
http://app.strava.com/activities/12651908
Average HR: 105
Average speed: 25.4mph
Total Distance: 122 Mile.
Total Elevation: 4,300ft.
Mind blowing.
http://app.strava.com/activities/12651908
Average HR: 105
Average speed: 25.4mph
Total Distance: 122 Mile.
Total Elevation: 4,300ft.
Mind blowing.
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