CSC: Cycling Juggernaut

The most fearsome three letters in cycling today

CSC showed once again over the weekend why they are the best team in the world, winning both the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen and the Criterium International. Kurt Asle-Arvesen dominated the field at the E3 and the 36 year old Jens Voigt did the same in France to secure his fourth CI title. As team boss Bjarne Riss searches for a new sponsor, all of the early season wins can only help his cause. That CSC has been able to win so many quality events thus far in the season is not surprising, it is still noteworthy that they have dominated like they have.

At 36, Voigt rides with the enthusiasm of a rider half his age

As cycling heads into some of the most important early season races (Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix), the question on every fan's mind is whether CSC can win the two next monuments, making a sweep of the season's biggest targets thus far. Cancellara time trialed away from the competition at Milan-San Remo two weeks ago, and has laid low this past week in anticipation of Flanders. In fact, CSC won't even line up a team at the upcoming Three Days of De Panne stage race as they prepare as a team in secret ahead of De Ronde.

Cycling's master chef, Riis blends talent and tactics perfectly for big results throughout the season

Bjarne Riis, cycling's savant when it comes to motivating riders and team tactics, no doubt has his boys primed for a real run at the Flanders/Roubaix double. Last year's Roubaix champ Stuey O'Grady has been quite thus far in 2008, but make no mistake: the Aussie will be ready this Sunday at Flanders, and on April 13th at Roubaix. That CSC has two such talented riders on the same team, in the same race, will make it very tough on the rest of the teams participating. As the cycling calandar rolls into the meat of the season, so does the CSC Juggernaut . . . and they're taking no prisoners.

When the cobbles come calling at Flanders and Roubaix, O'Grady will be ready