Paris Roubaix

Yes, enjoyed until that moment - then it was a procession.

Couple of thoughts
The riders using ‘auto tyre pressure’ to release or add pressure depending on terrain. Quite an innovation.
And
Degenkolp’s fall/push
Described as a ‘racing incident by some and a bit reckless by others?
As someone said ‘ if Bouhani had done that there may have been a different take from the commisars’
 
In my mind the Degenkolb crash was undoubtedly a racing incident which is best seen from the helicopter shot. VdP goes for a gap between Phillipsen and Degenkold which is clearly there. Phillipsen who cannot see what is going on behind him moves right towards the smoother gutter at the same time and just as Degenkolb accelerates to counter VdP's move. Three into the space for two results in the inevitable crash. Really unfortunate, but I'm sure a similar scenario was played out many times during the race but was not caught on camera, although I did see quite a few instances of riders moving from the crown to the gutter and almost taking out riders moving up.

www.eurosport.com

Paris-Roubaix 2023: 'Drama!' - 90 seconds of chaos as John Degenkolb crashes and Wout van Aert punctures

An extraordinary 90 seconds at Paris-Roubaix saw eventual race winner Mathieu van der Poel collide with John Degenkolb, who was sent sprawling.
www.eurosport.com www.eurosport.com
 
He rode most of that entire sector with the flat and kept up - it would have been a great finish to see without the puncture.
 
Shame it ended like that. I actually think Degenkolb coulda won too (not just cos I had him at 80/1) with the two Vans marking each other. MvdP did make two dodgy moves, and just got the luck.
 
Chris Horner is not an easy listen, but he has a wealth of experience riding at the top level and his post-race analysis is usually worth listening to. He goes against the flow and reckons Van Aert's 'bad luck' is more down to Jumbo's poor equipment (wheels/tyres) than any of the other reasons put forward. It's possible, although I've no idea what Jumbo are riding and if it differs from what other teams are riding, and particularly Alpecin.

 
pierrequiroule said:
Chris Horner is not an easy listen, but he has a wealth of experience riding at the top level and his post-race analysis is usually worth listening to. He goes against the flow and reckons Van Aert's 'bad luck' is more down to Jumbo's poor equipment (wheels/tyres) than any of the other reasons put forward. It's possible, although I've no idea what Jumbo are riding and if it differs from what other teams are riding, and particularly Alpecin.

Click to expand...

Aren't they (Lotto Jumbo) racing with those in play adjustable tyre pressures ?
 
The_Lizards_Jumpers said:
Aren't they (Lotto Jumbo) racing with those in play adjustable tyre pressures ?
Click to expand...

I think Chris's point is that the issues were similar last year and before this technology was available. As finny says, Van Aert decided not to use it whereas the rest of the team did, with a question mark against Laporte. Tyre pressure is another factor that teams keep to themselves according to Adam Blythe and which Horner did not address, so maybe Jumbo were running at a very different pressure to Alpecin?
 
WvA was using the same tyres as MvP (some Vittoria jobby) but obviously tyre pressures may have been different. Not sure the wheels would have caused a puncture.

For me I think it was just unlucky - he managed many cobbles before that rear gave up, could have easily been a sharp stone etc.

As said above WvA didn't use the inflatable tyre tech.
 
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