Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Boonen was extremely lucky last year, when majority of biggest competitors was either injured (GVA) or held by the crash (Sagan, Cancellara).
Fact that he was not able to beat Hayman says it all...
He can win only with big luck and very good circumstances. He is not even best Quickstep rider for Roubaix at this point. He is just overrated because of the past
Wow, I couldn't disagree with you more there. Of course the crash didn't help, but Boonen had created an impressive gap already. I wouldn't say that without the crash Sagan and Cancellara would've come back for sure.
Haymay was fresh and had a +5 day obviously, but Boonen still managed to beat Stannard, Vanmarcke and Bo Hagen, all top riders in Roubaix as well. And of course Boonen made a mistake in the sprint letting himself get boxed in. But he was really impressive that race.
Boasson Hagen a top rider in Roubaix? I am not sure, but was not this his first ever top10 in Roubaix? He is top overhyped cobbler, that is true, yeah.
Stannard is same story, this was his first top10 in Roubaix, until then his best result there was 36th...
Vanmarcke is top Roubaix guy, i agree, but he has no sprint to talk about, he just attacked, attacked and attacked, without result.
Boonen was impressive indeed, for a guy past his glory days as the Roubaix dominator. I still think that that crash that destroyed chase completely + Tony Martin were the key to his podium, he would hardly reach that without it.
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Boonen was extremely lucky last year, when majority of biggest competitors was either injured (GVA) or held by the crash (Sagan, Cancellara).
Fact that he was not able to beat Hayman says it all...
He can win only with big luck and very good circumstances. He is not even best Quickstep rider for Roubaix at this point. He is just overrated because of the past
Really? If boy. He was already gone when you guys crashed.
Edited by Guido Mukk on 26-01-2017 10:10
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Boasson Hagen a top rider in Roubaix? I am not sure, but was not this his first ever top10 in Roubaix? He is top overhyped cobbler, that is true, yeah.
.
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
Yeah, I'm aware of his injuries/crashes. But he is 36 and his results in all races over the last 4/5 years have tailed off drastically since his amazing year in 2012.
He is still capable of winning. I just think there are enough young riders coming through to make it too difficult for him this year. He is past his peak and heading into decline, others are getting stronger each year.
Last year was his big chance and he lost the sprint to Hayman. As someone said earlier in the thread, he's possibly not even the strongest Roubaix rider at QS anymore.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
Yeah, I'm aware of his injuries/crashes. But he is 36 and his results in all races over the last 4/5 years have tailed off drastically since his amazing year in 2012.
He is still capable of winning. I just think there are enough young riders coming through to make it too difficult for him this year. He is past his peak and heading into decline, others are getting stronger each year.
Last year was his big chance and he lost the sprint to Hayman. As someone said earlier in the thread, he's possibly not even the strongest Roubaix rider at QS anymore.
Well, what have Terpstra and Stybar done in 2016?
Edited by Ollfardh on 26-01-2017 10:24
People still doubting Tommeke grand racing of last year's race where he went full racing 100k to go and lost it to experienced Roubaix rider Hayman who saved precious energy by taking naps in the previous botds and Tommeke's slipstream. Just, wow guys. Everybody knows Tommeke has had shit preps for the last few years: crashes, injuries, mental stuff (the dead birth of his gf..). It was amazing what he did last Roubaix and he is bound to strike again if his prep continues as well as it does.
I'm #AllIn for Tommeke's Roubaix victory, too.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
Yeah, I'm aware of his injuries/crashes. But he is 36 and his results in all races over the last 4/5 years have tailed off drastically since his amazing year in 2012.
He is still capable of winning. I just think there are enough young riders coming through to make it too difficult for him this year. He is past his peak and heading into decline, others are getting stronger each year.
Last year was his big chance and he lost the sprint to Hayman. As someone said earlier in the thread, he's possibly not even the strongest Roubaix rider at QS anymore.
Well, what have Terpstra and Stybar done in 2016?
What have they got to do with anything I've said?
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Boasson Hagen a top rider in Roubaix? I am not sure, but was not this his first ever top10 in Roubaix? He is top overhyped cobbler, that is true, yeah.
.
Last year 5th. yeaah! Overhyped as usual
That is why i have written "this was his first ever top10 at Roubaix". When you are rated as big cobbled talent since 19 years of age and you manage one 5th place in next 10 years, i can hardly call you a "top Roubaix rider"...that is what i have adressed, i am not sure what else you have read.
I'm in no way saying that Boonen has no chance. I'm saying that based on numerous factors I no longer consider him to be the outstanding favourite as he has been in past years. Anyone can win on the day.
In another thread I was criticised for saying Froome was going to win this years Tour because apparently at 31 he is in decline. Yet Boonen is 36 and hasn't won much of note since 2012 and yet now I'm being criticised for suggesting he is passed his best.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
Yeah, I'm aware of his injuries/crashes. But he is 36 and his results in all races over the last 4/5 years have tailed off drastically since his amazing year in 2012.
He is still capable of winning. I just think there are enough young riders coming through to make it too difficult for him this year. He is past his peak and heading into decline, others are getting stronger each year.
Last year was his big chance and he lost the sprint to Hayman. As someone said earlier in the thread, he's possibly not even the strongest Roubaix rider at QS anymore.
Well, what have Terpstra and Stybar done in 2016?
What have they got to do with anything I've said?
The last part, where you said he's maybe not the best Roubaix rider at QS anymore. I'm assuming you're talking about Stybar and Terpstra, so I'm questioning them on their recent results as well.
ringo182 wrote:
Boonen was a great Roubaix rider. He won it last in 2012 (his last monument) and until last year hadn't got near the podium since then. He also hasn't really won any one day races of note in the period since 2012, apart from Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in 2014.
Last years result seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last few years. Obviously he has a chance, Hayman proved that everyone has a chance, but he is clearly not the same rider he was 5+ years ago. Also, with Gaviria waiting in the wings it is possible QS won't be putting everything behind him as they have in the past.
Cancellara has gone, Boonen is 36. It's time for the next generation to step up. Sagan hasn't shone at Roubaix yet, but would you honestly bet against him?
Dude, look at what happened to him in 2013-2014-2015.. Or can I also mock Froome for not winning le Tour in 2014?
Yeah, I'm aware of his injuries/crashes. But he is 36 and his results in all races over the last 4/5 years have tailed off drastically since his amazing year in 2012.
He is still capable of winning. I just think there are enough young riders coming through to make it too difficult for him this year. He is past his peak and heading into decline, others are getting stronger each year.
Last year was his big chance and he lost the sprint to Hayman. As someone said earlier in the thread, he's possibly not even the strongest Roubaix rider at QS anymore.
Well, what have Terpstra and Stybar done in 2016?
What have they got to do with anything I've said?
The last part, where you said he's maybe not the best Roubaix rider at QS anymore. I'm assuming you're talking about Stybar and Terpstra, so I'm questioning them on their recent results as well.
I was more talking about Gaviria who is being tipped as a future winner of the race. But Terpstra is a past winner of the race and also has a podium and top 5 placing since Boonen last won it. Also Stybar has picked up numerous wins/podiums at a number of races, including Roubaix over the last couple of years. His record at Roubaix between 2013/15 was 6th/5th/2nd. He had a blip last year but he is definitely on an upward projectory towards winning the event.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
Its not really fait to judge Boonen on his past years, he has obviously been far from his optimal shape. Boonen will have big trouble winning E-3 and De Ronde (he can't against GVA and Sagan), but he is build for P-R and GVA and Sagan aren't. They are lighter guys who are the best in the world on short, punchy climbs which demands going anaerobic over and over again, but I refuse to believe either of them are better than Tommeke on the flat sectors in Roubaix where pure strength, technique and experience is the most important. Quick Step has the strongest team in the world and if Tommeke is on, it will be 100% for him in P-R.
What he has shown isn't his true potential over the many last years. Its pretty comparable to Contador in TdF where he hasn't finished higher than 5th since 2010, but thats obviously not really indicative of how good he has been/is (not saying he could beat Froome, cause he most likely couldn't.. apart from 2014).
With all do respect for Gaviria, you don't win Roubaix on your first go. He might do ok at Kuurne and Wevelgem, but that's it really. Terpstra and Stybar have everything to prove again, so I think Boonen is still their best option for Roubaix. Unless Lampaert has improved a lot, but we won't know that until a few weeks.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
