echappist wrote:
indeed; Oss did a phenomenal job, probably gave GvA a good 10 km to rest and sit back while the former was in the lead. Every ounce of energy counts in Roubaix.
Oss went into lead break, with Stuyven, with 76 km to go. He was caught by the chase group including GVA with 24 km to go. So for 50 km GVA could sit in the chasing group. Then he worked hard at front to extend/keep the margin for the leading group until he was toast. [Edit: Oss and Stuyven caught at around 40 kmtg, but then he soon goes off again.]
Stuyven too had an incredible ride. Maybe Trek should have had him sit up and waited for Deg when he was dropped from podium group. However, Deg missed out when he let GVA, Stybar and the chase get away. Also there was plenty of power in the big chase and Stuyven wasn't going to change the dynamic.
I'm going to give a tie to Stuyven and Oss for strongest men in the race.
________
It doesn't really matter what Phil is saying, the music of his voice is the appropriate soundtrack for a bicycle race. HTupolev