Does He need to break free to win. If in the final break, can He out sprint anyone, certainly not Boonen. Ballan not there is good for him. So is this his last chance? What are your top 3 predictions…Whats the weather forcast?..I do not think devolder can repeat and Chavanel used up to much,though they can still work. Boonen loks to be the favorite to me, he is due for some bad luck. So what do you all say, Quick Step domination? Rabbonak with Flecha and Loveqwist? Lets here them. …
i say predicting who will win a bike race is madness unless its a time trial and fabian is in it
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Like every year, I’m behind big George for the win.
That said, this is a race where the stars must align exactly so to get the win.
Do I think George can do it? YES
Do I think Georgie will get that elusive big classic win (GW, is like a .75 classic), No. Way too many times, his teammates crash out early and leave Georgie out in the open alone. In Roubaix, you dont necessarily need your teammates the last 20km, but you need teammates fore the rest of the race. Every year, there seems to be a team with a few riders in the front, adn that team basically performs the great team tactics. You need teammates to block some wind, pull in breaks, etc. Until I see Columbia with 2-3 guys in the front, Georgie will never get that win.
I’m calling George a 2nd-6th finish. I hope like he gets a podium, because he needs one badly. It really wil validate all his hard work and CRAPPY luck the last few years. But if its anything I’ve learned, Roubaix is WON because your strong and lucky. I think Georgie is on form, lets see if he can have some luck on his side sunday.
In professional bike racing, that question should never be asked. As individuals can’t win races. Only teams can win races.
So the question becomes, how is Columbia/High Road riding right now? How tough are they on the rough roads compared to other teams? Is he even Columbia’s protected rider?
he was in position last year with a teammate on the front and broke a wheel. if he can make the selection, and not have any bad luck, then he’s got as good a chance as anyone.
Toenail…This is basically IT for George and Columbia/HR is 110% behind him. When Georgie worked on wed. in GW to get his teammate the win, Columbia is 110% behind George for this race.
However, that doesnt mean a hill of beans if 5 teammates crash in the first 50km and he has no teammates with 150km left in the race. I’ve read this story for the past 5 years how teams are in full support of George, yet they cant stay with him for half the race.
As best they can do right now, Columbia is fully committed to riding for George, but it still comes down to missing the crashes, keeping in the front nad not having bad luck with flats, etc.
Reading Cyclingnews, Goerge basically seemd to acknowledge, that this is IT for him. He has everything in his favor this year, fully supported team, riding in GREAT form right now, etc. He mentioned, if he doesnt get it this year, he may not ever come back…You can just see it and read it, George really really really wants this race win!
Come on Georgie, you have an entire country behind you and I’d say alot of people in cycling are wanting you to get this win!!!
I think Gerge can do it this year. He finally has some Diesel to help…Burghardt, Eisel, Hagen (Gent Winner), Renshaw, Henderson, and maybe Cav.
Quick Step will be there, Saxo looks good on paper…Flecha will try but has weak team…Cervelo is running out of gas…
GO GET SOME GEORGE!
Then get back to towing Cav all over Italy and France 
People are quick to forget that every year is “George’s year” at Roubaix and he never comes through. Whether it be for mechanical issues or otherwise, he never has the goods. I don’t see this year going any differently.
Much as I would like to see him win, I agree with you.
He always goes well until some mechanical failure befalls him or he “does have legs”.
Yes, I have no knowledge of cycle racing. I apologize for expressing an opinion.
Can he do it? Yes
Hopefully he will have teammates and luck, as others have noted. This is his last hurrah, I think.
My top 4, in no particular order:
Pozzato
Devolder
Maaskant
Hincapie
Wish I could say Cancellara, but being sick and injured has put him off form. Matti Breschel is an outside pick.
Predictions in the Belgian press :
- Fletcha
- Hoste
- Burghardt
My prediction :
- Boone
- Hoste
- Hincapie
The weather will not be a factor with 14°C, wind 16km/h and 11% chance for rain.
Anyway for me, in Paris Roubaix the strongest biker wins not the strongest team.
Ok, sorry I didnt mean to be so forward…my bad.
Let me rephrase, Roubaix is a race based alot on luck, and positioning. In 2001 George was probaly the best rider in the race, but you cant beat 3 teammates in the final 50km. Whether you think it or not, team tactics plays a really really important role in this race. It helps keeps breaks in check, it protects the “leader”, etc.
Yes George hasnt won it, and ever year it seems to be “his” year and he has yet to win, but its not because he has choked it away every year.
No problem, I didn’t like the presumptions that you were making. Similarly, I didn’t mention any of the numerous mechanical faults he has suffered in the past which you accused me of. I am fully aware of the importance of team tactics in pro cycling and particularly Paris-Roubaix, having watched it live for the last 12 years, but I appreciate your “educating” me.
Ultimatedly, the best rider is the one that crosses the line first, on the day.
I gotcha, yeah sorry JulEng, didnt mean to come across in that manner.
I do agree with the sentiment that George always seems to be “on” for Paris Roubaix, its just really unfortunate that he hasnt been able to get it done.
I still think he had it won in 2001 had he not flatted in the Forest of Arenburg(spelling) when he was off the front.
Hey, don’t stress it. It’s easy for the written word to be ambiguous.
I’ll be pleased if George wins, as you say he deserves the break. One things for sure P-R is never boring. Remember Bonnen waiting on the side of the road because of the level crossing as Cancellera powered away or as O’Grady floated over the cobbles in the sun? This is my personal favourite of the Spring Classics.
dominic rollin
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Hey, don’t stress it. It’s easy for the written word to be ambiguous.
I’ll be pleased if George wins, as you say he deserves the break. One things for sure P-R is never boring. Remember Bonnen waiting on the side of the road because of the level crossing as Cancellera powered away or as O’Grady floated over the cobbles in the sun? This is my personal favourite of the Spring Classics.
Didnt initially one or 2 of the other riders got a penalty or DQ because they “crossed” the crossing before it raised up completely, but Boonen didnt?
My favorite fave cycling photo was from 2001 with Georgie and I think Johan Mussuaw (spelling) as they were completely drenched in dried/wet mud and you couldnt even really tell who was who.
 George Hincapie (USPS), Johan Museeuw and Servais Knaven (Domo) look like creatures from another planet on the pavé.
Photo: © Fotoreporter Sirotti
He’s not racing.