Post: #1

Anyone watching the race today? Being Boonens last year, it has to be a great one.

As a former Cat 3 road racer, Norba Expert class mtb xc racer and bike messenger, to me this is the single best cycling race in the world. The Grand Tours are purely pea-tree dish experiments on how far the human body can go, that totally disregard the touring aspect that was intended by the early founders of those races. Paris Roubaix is a true race, and showcases the ferocity, speed and danger of cycling.

I can not get it at my place, my Apple TV is acting weird and I can not find it online. I know its also on Eurosport, but it doesnt work in the USA - it takes me here.

Its also on NBC Sports Gold, which is a $19/mo pass, that I am unwilling to pay...

Is anyone in the US watching it live, and how can I see it?

Post: #2

Just watched the highlights, looked like a pretty exciting addition. van Avermaet is the perhaps the most well rounded classics rider (besides Sagan). He's got punch, a sprint, and a motor to pound on the flats.

Milan San Remo, Flanders, Roubaix, and Amstel Gold are all winnable races for him. Few can say that.

Also steephill.tv always has good links that tend to not be location locked, if you don't mind watching on a computer.

Post: #3

(04-09-2017 10:04 PM)Chunnel Wrote:  Just watched the highlights, looked like a pretty exciting addition. van Avermaet is the perhaps the most well rounded classics rider (besides Sagan). He's got punch, a sprint, and a motor to pound on the flats.

Milan San Remo, Flanders, Roubaix, and Amstel Gold are all winnable races for him. Few can say that.

Also steephill.tv always has good links that tend to not be location locked, if you don't mind watching on a computer.

This almost makes me want to buy another bike and start riding again... goodbye bank roll.

Post: #4

(04-09-2017 10:04 PM)Chunnel Wrote:  van Avermaet is the perhaps the most well rounded classics rider (besides Sagan). He's got punch, a sprint, and a motor to pound on the flats.

Plus he is the Olympic Champion, title won on a profile similar to those of the classics.

When Stuyven and Moscon caught the first three on the velodrome, and van Avermaet did nothing, I thought that he lost the race at that point. It seems he knew what he was doing, but I'll never understand why did he had to wait for other two competitors for him to finish first.

Beside this, let's look at another aspect: GvA punctured once and for a few times he was in the back of the peloton. However, he won the race. Now that's perseverence!

Post: #5

Pretty nice race. Paris-Roubaix is always exciting. Glad that GvA won his first monument; he was close in previous editions of both Flanders and Roubaix and he finally did it.

Post: #6

I don't want to think what would have happened if it had rained a few days before the race. In fact, the last fifteen years were dry in the period around the race, so the famous mud turned into simple dust. Although less spectacular, I prefer this way: safer for the cyclists.

Post: #7

Great to see another thread on cycle races!
Although not sure what it's doing in the Weightlifting section!
Mods, you might like to move this thread to 'Lifestyle' when you get a chance?

Post: #8

(04-10-2017 04:38 PM)amity Wrote:  Great to see another thread on cycle races!
Although not sure what it's doing in the Weightlifting section!
Mods, you might like to move this thread to 'Lifestyle' when you get a chance?

Its weightlifting and fitness.

Post: #9

Yes Vaun I know that however the discussion has been mostly about upcoming cycling events and who might win them rather than the fitness aspect you may have intended. Perhaps altering the title of the thread would be a good idea in that case.
Anyway, no worries either way, I don't mean to poke my nose in.
As you were, gents!

Post: #10

Do you guys plan on watching the Ardennes classics (Amstel, Fleche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege)?

Post: #11

(04-12-2017 03:10 AM)TTQQTT Wrote:  Do you guys plan on watching the Ardennes classics (Amstel, Fleche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege)?

Of course! I watch everything. Cycling is the most manly sport there is, it's the true fighters who end up at the top step of the podium!

Post: #12

What race is this Sunday?

Post: #13

(04-12-2017 05:12 AM)Zanardi Wrote:  What race is this Sunday?

Amstel Gold race. I hope Van Avermaet wins again to be honest.

Post: #14

This Sunday is Amstel Gold Race, then Wednesday is Fleche Wallone, and finally next Sunday is Liege-Bastogne-Liege. I think both Gilbert and VanAvermaet have a chance to win one. Also, imo Valverde is favorite to win his 4th consecutive Fleche Wallone.

Post: #15

I've been out of it since 2005, the year I quit racing, when Boonen was a young pup taking off. Its reassuring to see the modern champions are cut from the same cloth of former champions, Museeuw, Van Petegem, Merckx.

Post: #16

2005, the year in which Museeuw showed 5 fingers, then the next 5, then all his 10 fingers before he crossed the finish line on the Roubaix velodrome.

Can't wait for warmer mornings to come so I can take out my bike.

Post: #17

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/amstel-...7/results/

Pure class from Gilbert in Amstel Gold Race. Didn't panic under 300m and coolly sprints past Kwiatkowski.

Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.

Valverde is a silly favorite at -150, next is Dan Martin all the way at +500!

Post: #18

Kwiatkowski won the San-Sebastian. He also won Strade Bianche. What a year he has!

Post: #19

Somewhat related, Bink Bank Tour just finished with a mini Tour of Flanders stage and a nice win by Stuyven. I was at the finish on Muur Kapelmuur for the first time live at a cycling race in Flanders, and the atmosphere here is unreal. It was such an epic experience.