Pro-cycling thread

He should be protected for sure, but tactically Sky have been much better this spring by being aggressive and I think that's the perfect strategy for Roubaix.

Wow Sagan. What a ride. Ride of dreams.

Fabian is on great form and he couldn't pull sagan back on the flat. Jesus.

Right, people with more experience than me at seeing Paris Roubaix in person (I've none).

Which sectors should I try hit? http://www.letour.fr/paris-roubaix/2016/us/race.html

I'll then try plan a good route between them, will be on moto so can zipp about.

Do you want to see the finish at the velodrome?

Maybe, is it worth it? Kind of content with watching it on phone for the last 20k from having seen it at a good final sector.

Sep really is the the unluckiest sod in the peloton

https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/716922719347085312

Or just a muppet? His first crash appeared to be his fault and then he's filmed basically looking down the barrel of a gun...

Whenever I see Sep the word lummox comes to mind.

Ha! Pure gold!

That's a level of physical comedy you can't script, like the Greggs bag blowing into the man's face.

Best place to watch the last bit of the race is at the start of Arenberg, where there is a big screen.
If I had a motorbike I would start at the crossing of the D643 near Inchy, then after the race passes head toward Wallers (you might if you're quick get to see it at Querenaing (sector 21), then the end of sector 19 at Wallers and then on to the bend in the road at secteur 16 north of Erre. From then head to the start of Arenberg, buy some frites and watch the race unfold on the big screen.

Sounds like a perfect guide! I'll have a look at the map later and plot it out.
The big screen is a good idea, better than us huddling around my phone!

Thank you.

Which sectors should I try hit?

You could hang about the railway crossings?

Whichever bar has the best beer selection and a seat.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/peter-sagan-to-trek-segafredo-in-2017-219526

Sagan replacing Fabian?

Trek Segafredo are soon going to have a decent wedge left of their budget.

They're meant to be getting Nibs too?

Sagan's move is tricky, as BMC have GvA, Etixx have Stybar, Terpstra, Gaviria, Trentin, and arguably Trek have Stuyven and Theuns who are both improving hugely. Sky would be interesting, it'd either work exceedingly well or be a huge flop.

Sky have Kwiat.

Movistar?

Tony Martin on 50/1 odds to win Paris Roubaix, worth a £1 speculation

If it is anything like Flanders, Tony Martin will do all the early work for Etixx and be destroyed by the finale.

My hope is that after that tactic failed they might let him a crack, especially as they were more likely to use him up at Flanders thinking he wouldn't be in contention for the final after the climbs.

However considering EQS tactical poverty at the moment, you are probably right..

Early days, but: http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/04/news/paris-roubaix-may-reroute-due-to-mud_400977

Needs crossposting from the Sagan thread; dubbel Duvel!

Saw an "experimental hops" (or something) Duvel for sale recently. Only 9.4%.

Nibali is apparently going to Bahrain cycling team that's being launched in 2017.

Etixx seems like the logical place for Sagan...they've got too many B players and no superstars although Trek-Segafredo have just picked up another sponsor (CA) so they may have money in hand.