As the countdown for Paris-Roubaix approaches zero, everyone has their own ideas of who will win the Queen of the Classics. A poll of cycling connoisseurs conducted by Sportwereld revealed a surprisingly wide range of opinions as to the winner.
Roger De Vlaeminck, who after winning the race a record four times became known as "Mr Paris-Roubaix" predicted that Tom Boonen would come out on top. "No-one is capable of beating Boonen. Because no-one there is that well known. The rest of the world doesn't enter the equation. Where are Vinokourov, Popovych and Ullrich? Tell me why they are not participating? You can't tell me that they can't ride across cobbles? Yes, the risks... but is descending a col at full speed less dangerous than Paris-Roubaix?"
What about George Hincapie? "Come on, what has that Hincapie proven? What has he won so far? No-one can challenge Boonen, or maybe Van Petegem. He will have to do a good job at hiding, if he still wants to be there in the finale. Van Petegem didn't ride Gent-Wevelgem did he? Understand who can. I'm not getting it."
But not everyone is predicting Boonen. Rik Van Looy, a three time winner of P-R, was even dismissive: "Stupid questions. There's ten or twenty who can beat Boonen. I'm not wishing for it but I take it into account. Look at Gent-Wevelgem: Tom had bad legs. It can happen quickly. George Hincapie looks to me to be candidate number one to challenge Boonen...With Van Petegem and Hoste you can go to battle too."
Walter Godefroot won Roubaix in 1969, and is putting his money on Fabian Cancellara (CSC). "Surprising? I know that he can do it. For that matter, he was getting into his stride in the Ronde and in Gent-Wevelgem; and on top of that he rode a very decent finale in Roubaix twice already (Cancellara was 4th in 2004 and 8th in 2005). After Cancellara I count on the Discovery-block to make Tom Boonen's life less enjoyable."
Italian Andrea Tafi won in 1999 predicted another Quick.Step: Filippo Pozzato. "If there's anyone able to beat Tom Boonen, he'll have to come out of his own team. I don't have a crystal ball and I don't know what Patrick Lefevere will shake out of his sleeve at the tactical meeting beforehand. But I see Boonen and Pozzato powering onto the track side by side. Pozzato will win, with Lefevere's blessing. Hincapie, Klier and Cancellara are merely shadow favourites for Sunday."
(Lefevere decided that Tafi had to let Mapei-teammate Museeuw and Bortolami finish in front of him in 1996)
Finally, Jan Raas, who finished first in 1982, is backing 2003 winner Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto). "He is my man. Full stop. In Paris-Roubaix motivation is everything. According to me, Van Petegem isn't lacking that. He has been criticised heavily over the last few weeks. By journalists, by his own sponsor. Armed with a big desire for revenge he will be capable of a lot on the cobbles. On top of that, it's a race which fits him like a glove. If there's anyone who can silence the favourite, that it's him. Hushovd I put on the podium in third place."
