Paris-Roubaix is as unpredictable as any race can be, and luck can play just as big a part as form and strength of teams in attaining a victory here. But it is always the best riders who enter the Roubaix velodrome at the head of the race, and any rider who wins here has achieved the pinnacle of one-day racing. Cyclingnews looks at a dozen of the riders with the best shot at being the one atop the podium on Sunday.
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing)
Repeating his 2017 exploits was always going to be a near-impossible task. That said, Van Avermaet can only be frustrated with his return on investment this spring. Even during the 'peak Van Avermaet' years, when he would consistently place but never win - see 2015 Flanders and Roubaix - were better than this. The Belgian has been lacking in several departments. Firstly, and most significantly, he hasn't had the same form as 12 months ago when he made winning, and winning in style, look easy. Secondly, his team have not been as formidable, and last but not least, luck and momentum have not been on BMC's side. Take nothing away from Quick-Step's utter domination, but their principal rivals have not turned up. Sunday offers Van Avermaet a final shot at cobbled redemption but victory would really suffice. As with last year, his best chance will be if he arrives in the velodrome with a small group, and on paper, he's still faster than any of Quick-Step's leading options.
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe)
Even at 85 per cent of his capacity, Peter Sagan can do things most other pro-riders can only dream of. However, the consensus this spring is that the world champion has not been at his all-conquering best, with Flanders providing the perfect illustration. When Vincenzo Nibali and then Niki Terpstra drifted off the front Sagan had a front-row seat. A top-form version of the Bora leader would have matched both riders, from which point on the podium places would have been sealed with only BMC in a position to then chase. However, Sagan didn't accelerate at that moment. Instead, he turned to look at the likes of Michal Kwiatkowski do to the work. He remains a perennial threat, and unlike Van Avermaet, he has his win due to a classy display in Gent-Wevelgem for confidence.
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Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors)
For three years between 2012 and 2013, Niki Terpstra was one the most consistent Paris-Roubaix riders, with a first, third and fifth to his name. The two DNFs that followed in 2016 and 2017 only illustrate the luck needed to succeed on the cobbles, but when Terpstra is good – and as Glenn Miller would say he's 'oh so good' right now - there are few better Paris-Roubaix riders around.
The Dutchman has everything a flat cobbles expert needs; skill at picking the right lines, the necessary horsepower, experience and a team around him brimming with confidence. Recent talk of a weight-loss programme being the reason for his new-found form seems questionable unless the entire team have collectively joined Weightwatchers. Terpstra is just flying.
Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors)
Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac)
Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ)
Dylan Van Baarle (Team Sky)
Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale)
Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors)
Wout Van Aert (Willems Verandas-Crelan)
Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo)
Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/paris-roubaix-12-top-contenders
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