It's going to be hell
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 10/04/2005 at 08:36 GMT
With wind and rain forecasted, the 'Queen of Classics' should live up to its reputation. Devoid of the treacherous Arenberg trench section, but beefed up with an extra 3.6km of cobbles and a new uphill foray at Aulnoy, it will take a giant like favourite
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Three-time victor at Roubaix, the legend of pavé Johan Museeuw remains adamant that Boonen - the King of Flanders - stands the best chance of winning on Sunday, and in doing so secure a historic classic double.
"Regarding Tom, there are just no question marks," Museeuw told French sports daily l'Equipe. "He is in a different situation than he was before Flanders [which he won]. He will always be the favourite whether he likes it or not."
If anyone knows how to win the gruelling race, it's Museeuw. But even he never managed the lofty heights of riding to a Flanders-Roubaix double, last realised by arch-rival Peter Van Petegem in 2003.
"Tom must above all stay calm and not go on the attack early on. Before you arrive in Roubaix, the secret is to remain on the defence," assures Museeuw. "Until the Carrefour de l'Arbre, he must hold back."
Boonen himself shares the same point of view, knowing that his win at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen has heaped the pressure on his rivals, who include Van Petegem.
"Since the Ronde, I have taken a certain advantage over the others," the 24-year-old calmly explains. "I have less to prove and I must leave it to them to take the initiative."
The incontrovertable man of the moment, however, knows that despite all the hype surrounding his name, he remains but a young developing prospect unable to be compared to Museeuw quite yet.
"I am only Tom Boonen, and it's still a long way to go before I can equal the career of Johan."
But who does Boonen see as his main rivals on Sunday?
"I have drawn up a list of ten or so riders," he grins. "There is, first of all, Backstedt, then Hincapie, Hushovd, Cancellara, Flecha, O'Grady, Van Petegem, but also that Russian from CSC... What's his name again? Oh yes, Gusev."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement