*****
Tom Boonen
Boonen has big wins at Ghent Wevelgem and E3. Both wins were credit to sprinting tactics. E3 he benefited from Freire not knowing the finish and at Ghent Wevelgem he came out of the head wind at the perfect time. None the less he has to be the five star favorite. He has the best team, the tactical prowess and he’s on his usual form for March/April.
****
Fabian Cancellara
Fabian is really good at honing his fitness for marquee events. That’s what puts him at a 4 star favorite for me. I don’t think he’s riding his best. Do you remember that attack at E3 last year, or towing Chavanel for 30k last year at Flanders and still creating the race winning attack? He’ll be there, but remember he has to win alone. That means he has to not only attack, but he has to attack when everyone knows it’s coming. Bennati will help him, but in a select group of 15-20 I see Omega having 4 riders and Radioshack having 2.
****
Peter Sagan
He’s the fastest sprinter who can hang in the top 15-20 riders. Think about E3 this year. He followed an attack from the strongest rider Cancellara, then sprinted against the best sprinter Boonen and almost beat him. After following a Cancellara move most guys don’t have a sprint. Sagan is the real deal. He lacks experience in these races, but he’s not afraid. His team is descent with Oss and Bodnar. Shout out to Ted King.
****
Sylvain Chavanel
You ever read the Velonews Tour de France preview edition. Bernard Hinault provides entertaining quotes about French riders attacking more and knowing there place in the peleton. Chavanel is a great example of knowing your role in the peleton. He wins when he can, helps the team when he can, and defers to teammates. His time trial win at De Panne was the icing for me. Chavanel has always been an excellent time trialist, but beating a specialists like Westra and Tuft in a short course shows his form is fine tuned. Expect him to be in the early break or to force a mid race selection.
***
Sep Vanmarke
He’s the all for one leader at Garmin. They’ve seemed to learn there lesson about multi leader teams. He has a good squad behind him. His sprint against Boonen to win Het Nieuwsblad was impressive, but I think that was the peak of his form. He was strong at Dwars door Vlanderen but he also had some bad patches. He’s aggressive and quickly becoming a favorite amongst the Belgium fans.
***
Matti Breschel
Brecshel is big in marquee events. A silver and bronze in the last three world championships. His third place at E3 was the proof for me. He made the selection and had enough to sprint with the top classics sprinters. He will be ready, and I expect him to take over the leadership of Rabobank.
***
Filipo Pozzato
He’s committed to working hard and not being as flashy. That’s great, but I still see the same riding style. Sure he took the front for a lap of the Kemmelburg, and he was active in the chase at Dwars door, but he’s lacking the finish for me. He’ll make the selection, but think of a scenario where he wins?
***
Alessandro Ballan
Ballan is on par with the last couple of seasons. Strong enough to make the selection, but not strong enough to ride away. He will need lots of 1-2 attacking from teammates to make a win possible.
***
Leif Hoste
Smaller team, been off the wagon a bit the last couple years and he’s a three star? Yes! The two time second place finisher has been gaining form. He’s attacked in E3 and Dwars door and knows how to ride this race. His team is not good, but he’ll make the front.
**
Niki Terpstra
The Chris Bosh of Omega, Terpstra’s win at Dwars door was proof of legs and tactical sense, but his 4th place at the De Panne TT was proof of form. He’s the sleeper of the event.
**
Edvald Boasson Hagen
When Cavendish hasn’t made the selection Sky works for Eddie Junior, but he hasn’t delivered the big time result for me. Still he has a nice kick, but I worry about him making the group.
**
Oscar Freire
Sprinting well this year, but has never done super well at Flanders. None the less he’s a threat if there’s 20 guys at the line.
**
Danielle Bennati
He’s made selections and even went on a great attack at Strade Bianche. He could benefit from Cancellara. Don’t be surprised to see him with Chavanel in the early move.
**
Stijn Devolder
He’s shown flashes, but he’s been on the ground alot. His craziness puts him on this list for me.
**
Bjorn Leukemans
I like Leukemans chances better then Devolder, but like Brabantse Pijl last year how does he win against mid level classics sprinters. He’ll be there but he needs to go solo to win.
**
John Degenkolb
He impressed me at San Remo and his new German team is riding well. Koen de Kort has been strong and could be sleeper for this squad.
**
Sebastiaan Langeveld
Always up to suffer, he’ll be there. He’s been on the front a lot this spring working for Goss. I don’t see another Greenedge rider making the selection.
**
Philippe Gilbert
I’ve seen him on the back too much this spring. He’s a gamer, but I don’t think the legs will respond to the mind.
**
Alexander Kristoff
Good sprinting in De Panne where he won a stage. It’s all about staying with the leaders and staying out of the wind.
**
Juan Antonio Flecha
He’s been around this spring. Good racing in KBK and Het but deferring to Eddie Junior.
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