Cancellara confirms favourite status
Eurosport commentator Dave Harmon said that he thought that Cancellara was in the best form of his career. Whether or not he has better legs than in his stunning 2010 season, I’m not sure, but there’s no doubt that after last Sunday’s performance, the former world time trial champion will be going into Paris-Roubaix as the overwhelming favourite. A less explosive race than Flanders, Paris-Roubaix is probably better suited to the Swiss rider’s talents, so it’s going to be very hard to bet against Cancellara repeating his 2006 and 2010 triumphs.
French winner for the only French classic?
It’s fair to say that no one expected Sebastien Turgot to claim second place in the Roubaix velodrome, but his performance at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday showed that his 2012 performance was no fluke. Europcar were surprisingly prominent at the front of the peloton last weekend, and Turgot backed up the performance of his teammates with a good eighth place.
Matthieu Ladagnous went even better than Turgot in Flanders, claiming an excellent fifth place behind Alexander Kristoff in the bunch sprint. An untimely puncture meant that the 28 year old was cruelly ejected from the front group of Paris-Roubaix last year, so if his excellent form can combine with some decent luck, I wouldn’t put it past Ladagnous to be right up there again this coming Sunday.
Kristoff and Degenkolb in form
Like many fans, I am yet to be convinced by the new Tour of Flanders parcours. Perhaps overly difficult, it seems to promote defensive racing as most waiting for the final lap up the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg to make their move. However, this has played into the hands of some of the stronger sprinters, with Alexander Kristoff fourth and John Degenkolb ninth this year.
Paris-Roubaix should be a more attacking race, but both of these men look to be in excellent form and would be formidable opponents should they manage to cling onto a group arriving first in Roubaix. Kristoff in particular has looked very good recently, putting in an exceptional performance in Dreidaagse De Panne while looking reasonably comfortable in Flanders at the weekend.
One race left for Sky and Omega Pharma Quickstep to save classics season
Sky and Omega Pharma Quickstep are two of the biggest teams in the peloton, and would have gone into Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in February with high hopes for a successful month and a half in the cobbled classics. However with both teams still empty-handed, Paris-Roubaix will be the last chance for both to save their classics season.
With Boonen out, Omega Pharma Quickstep will be looking towards Sylvain Chavanel to deliver on Sunday, although I was a little disappointed with him at the Tour of Flanders. With Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh also offering good options, the Belgian team should be looking to get two or three riders in the top ten, although I’m unsure if they have the firepower to go for the win.
Sky have a similar wealth of options. Edvald Boasson Hagen was a little bit disappointing again on Sunday, and may need a good result at Paris-Roubaix to secure a contract renewal from Sky for next season. However, their best option for the win is probably Ian Stannard. The British champion has looked in superb form all spring, and more importantly for Paris-Roubaix, has an incredible capability for suffering. If he can improve his tactical nous, Stannard should be looking for a place on the podium in Roubaix.
BMC should focus on Phinney
It looks like Thor Hushovd will never win Paris-Roubaix. The veteran Norwegian has not looked himself since the 2011 Tour de France, but seemed to be quietly confident heading into the Tour of Flanders. However the former world champion was conspicuous in his absence and failed to finish.
Instead, BMC need to pass the baton to the next generation. Taylor Phinney missed the Tour of Flanders in order to focus solely on Paris-Roubaix. The American will undoubtedly win in the Roubaix velodrome at some point in his career, but has looked in such good form so far this season that there is no reason why it can’t be at the age of 22.
Student Cyclist 
It's impressive how Stannard improved from the very first year with Sky in 2010. It is clear that he has the legs to win that kind of classics. I also agree on the fact that he must improve his tactical view of the race. Then, he should be one of the best.
Yes, he's always had the potential to be one of the strongest riders in the peloton, and I'm glad that he's beginning to be given more leadership opportunities this year. He was definitely a little naive in his tactics in Milan-San Remo and Dwars Door Vlaanderen, but this should improve with experience.