106th Paris-Roubaix: The Teams

The rock on everyone's mind

The mother of all one day classics is finally upon us, as the cobbled classic Paris-Roubaix race runs this Sunday. Weather is predicted to be miserable, with temps in the 40's and steady rain. The poor conditions should make for some exciting racing, as the field will have to contend with mud and wet in addition to the 52.8 kilometers of cobbles on the famed race course. Below are the major contending teams for the "Queen of the Classics."

Cofidis, France

The Cofidis team will bring Belgian strongman Nick Nuyens as the protected leader, hoping that the former Quick Step rider will be able to summon the win. Sylvain Chavanel, hot in the early season thus far, won't be on hand to contest the race, as he prepares for the Amstel Gold race. Nuyens has been going well throughout the early season, and should be able to make the final selection. Depending on team tactics though, Nuyens could find the going tough as his Cofidis team isn't as strong as others in the race.

Credit Agricole, France

Thor Hushovd wasn't able to get the win at this past week's Gent-Wevelgem, so he'll summon the last of his strength for a run at "Hell." Hushovd has yet to prove he can hang with the best on the tough cobbles, as he hasn't finished better than 9th. Like Nuyens, the Norwegian will have to follow wheels of the stronger teams and take his chances if he makes the final selection. After a nice 3rd place at this year's Het-Volk, Hushovd should feel good about his chances for another top ten.

CSC, Denmark

As was the case at Flanders, all eyes will be on team CSC and "Tony Sparticus," Fabian Cancellara. Alhough the Swiss powerhouse wasn't able to win Flanders, he still rode well and showed that he'll be ready for Roubaix. his teammate Stuey O'Grady is playing down his chances, and the tough weather won't help matters for the defending champ from Australia. Kurt Asle-Arvesen, winner at the recent E3 Prijs race, will be a third option for one of the strongest teams in the race. Along with Quick Step, CSC will factor hugely into how the day plays out.

High Road

The High Road team is getting very little fanfare regarding their chances at Roubaix, but there are several riders that will enter the race that could do damage. First and foremost amongst these riders is the American George Hincapie. "Big George" has been star-crossed at his favorite classic, but sooner or later he'll have to get a break, right? If he can stay upright, Hincapie has all the required skills needed to take the win. After a low profile early season, George may be able to take the favorites by surprise in the finale. If Hincapie crashes, Bernhard Eisel could impress. The former sprinter is fast becoming a classics threat, and he'll look for opportunites to get into a break in the early part of the race.

Lampre, Italy

Alessandro Ballan didn't have what it took to defend his Tour of Flanders title, but he proved his skeptics wrong by riding a good race in poor conditions. And while he didn't win Flanders, he still showed that his form is good and that he should be considered a favorite for Roubaix. He, like others, will have to do it on his own, as his team won't be able to help much. Expect the long Italian to be front and center when the drama starts, as dangerous as anyone else in the race.

Liquigas, Italy

The Liquigas team will once again rally around their Italian classics hope Filippo Pozzato. "Pippo" was second at Milan-San Remo and has won a cobbled classic (Het-Volk 2007) already, so he should not be discounted for Roubaix. Like his compatriot Ballan, Pozzato is viewed as "soft," but he also rode a great Tour of Flanders last week in bad weather, finishing 6th, only 21 seconds back. The "Pretty Boy" may make the favorites look ugly come Sunday.

Quick Step, Belgium

The Quick Step team is one of the strongest in the race, with former Roubaix winner "Tornado" Tom Boonen and last week's Flanders winner Stijn Devolder both ready to do battle in France. The dynamic duo double-teamed the competition at Flanders, as Devolder was able to stay away for the win. Boonen clearly had winning legs, but willingly sacrificed his own chances for those of his teammate. Devolder may just return the favor at Roubaix, as Boonen will be highly motivated to take the "Queen" again. Pressure will be a factor for Boonen though, as he hasn't netted a significant win yet this year.

Rabobank, Netherlands

The Dutch Rabobank team will bring the Spaniard, Juan Antonio Flecha, to the start line with hopes that he can become the first Spaniard to win the French classic. His teammate Oscar Freire took Gent-Wevelgem this past Wednesday, and Flecha himself finished second in last weeks Ronde. Flecha excells in poor weather, and will definitely be at the front providing he doesn't experience bad luck. A win in France would complete a perfect week for Rabobank, a squad not known for their northern classics prowess.

Silence-Lotto, Belgium

The Silence-Lotto team will bring their beleagured leader Leif Hoste to France hoping that the Belgian can finally get it right and win a cobbled classic. Hoste had mechanical problems last week at Flanders, and crashed days earlier at te Three Days of De Panne stage race. He'll hope his bad luck is over as he takes his final stab at a classics win in 2008. Behind Hoste will come Greg Van Avermaet, the young Belgian who is still learning the classics ropes. Van Avermaet was dropped at Flanders, leaving Hoste isolated. He'll work harder on Sunday to avoid the same thing happening again.

Slipstream, America

Magnus Backstedt took Roubaix in 2004 and was never heard from again. Various injuries and crashes kept the big Swede out of the lime light and after signing with the American outfit, he seems ready to again challenge for the Paris-Roubaix title. Backstedt, like Hushovd and Nuyens, will largely have to go it alone, as only Tyler Farrar has enough experience to help in the most brutal classic. Backstedt is a very large man, and that will both help and hurt him out on the course. On one hand, he'll be more stable due to his weight, but on the other his machinery will be under greater stress. With a touch of luck though, "Big Maggie" could repeat his 2004 success.

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