Analyst Zonneveld believes Visma | Lease a Bike can create chaos at Paris-Roubaix (Thanks in part to the new crazy tire system)
Cycling
The cobbled classics are slowly coming to an end. After plenty of fireworks on the Flemish hills—capped off by a spectacular Tour of Flanders where Tadej Pogacar soloed to victory in dominant form—more drama is expected this weekend in northern France. Paris-Roubaix is on the calendar, often considered one of the most beautiful races of the year by cycling fans. Thijs Zonneveld and Hidde van Warmerdam look ahead in their podcast In De Waaier.
“Lotte Kopecky is the big favorite,” the analyst continues. “Of course, they also have Wiebes, but I expect Kopecky to be more present at the front. At Visma | Lease a Bike, they’ve got a strong duo in Marianne Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot—definitely riders we can expect something from. I think we’ll mostly see teams racing against SD Worx-Protime. Nobody wants to head to the line with Kopecky or Wiebes.”
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Zonneveld impressed by Visma's tech innovation
On Sunday comes the grand finale, as the men face 30 cobbled sectors on their way to the Velodrome in Roubaix. Visma | Lease a Bike will line up with a special tire pressure system from Gravaa, and Thijs Zonneveld is impressed. “They’ve tested it before, including in the GP Denain, where Matthew Brennan took the win. They used it there. I expect the entire team will be using this system.”
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Zonneveld expects a lot from Visma and UAE
In his quest for a first victory in the Hell of the North, Wout van Aert will be backed by a powerhouse team. “With Edoardo Affini, Niklas Behrens, Per Strand Hagenes, Brennan, and Dylan van Baarle, you've got an incredible squad. They really have the ability to tear the whole peloton to pieces at some point. I'm very curious to see how it unfolds.”
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Ganna the Italian hope in Paris-Roubaix?
And Filippo Ganna? Zonneveld has his doubts about the Italian. “I’m not quite convinced yet. On paper, he’s basically made for Paris-Roubaix. But aside from a sixth-place finish, he’s never really had a strong result in the race. Still, with his power and weight, he’s obviously a major threat.”
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Latest Comments
- Such negative comments that are truly inappropriate and actually ridiculous. He sounds like an old man, bitter that he can't race anymore. Why can't he just be gracious? Or just shut up. Instead of howling for attention, in such a rude manner. Must be Dementia creeping in. We are all living in the Now. Records are there, and some are being broken, some are unapproachable. If he doesn't like it, and it makes him sick, maybe he ought start watching some other sport. Don't want the old mans health to be upset.
reemmo031-03-2025 - Roger De Vlaeminck inspires me to create a new beer: "Bitter Old Twat Belgian".JackInhof31-03-2025
- Shoot, I'll ride it for 1/10 of what his pay for that day is😅Veganpotter30-03-2025
- What is this? The Lance Armstrong daily cheaters channel? I could care less about Johan and Lance the seven times cheater. Greg Lemond was right all along, Why don't you write about that instead of these two knuckleheads.velodrone28-03-2025
- Are we all doomed to hear from Lance Armstrong and Johan bruneel until the end of time? It's not enough the stain they left on cycling? Do we have to see that shadow forever?bigyakman26-03-2025
- I am not sure if it is the hardest to win. In Flanders and Roubaix well before the finish the Peleton will be decimated and the race will normally be won by the best rider of the day or maybe 2nd or 3rd in case of a mechanical or unlucky break especially in case of Roubaix. In San Remo just before the finish there will still be several riders in contention and they are hard to ditch. For the best riders it is a race hard to win since it is not so selective. But if you are not a top 5 rider but still a top 10 rider this race is your best change to win. You will see more Milan San remo Winners with only 1 monument win than any other monumentsJoostmehrtens19-03-2025
- "fap fap fap oh Lance oh oh OHHHHHHH" again. Does he pay you to dredge up people with nice things to say about him? He was an giant a$$hole to people. It is a fact. Whatever his contrition about the doping, he is unapologetic about being a giant a$$hole to people. (Why yes, I do only login to complain. *I* am however only a giant a$$hole to people who laud giant a$$holes.)ericjensenridesbikes25-02-2025
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025