Weekend outlook: Paris-Roubaix, Pais Vasco, Energiewacht
This weekend is all about Paris-Roubaix, but don't forget, there's exciting stage racing in Spain, and women's racing in the Netherlands.
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Sunday is the big show, the headliner: Paris-Roubaix. But the Hell of the North is not the only race on the docket this weekend. Here’s what you need to know:
Paris-Roubaix
The Queen of the Classics is Sunday. Can Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) do the double? Can Fabian Cancellara (Trek – Segafredo) pull off a win in his final year of racing? Can Tom Boonen (Etixx – Quick-Step) return to his old form?
For a complete rundown of the route and contenders, click over to our Roubaix preview.
The weather forecast for Sunday looks foreboding. Could we see the first wet Paris-Roubaix in 13 years?
Andrew Hood loves an underdog, and took a look at five riders who could surprise the favorites.
Surprise! Cannondale climber Phil Gaimon got a last minute call-up to race Roubaix, after much of his team has been sick. He’s surprisingly chipper about being thrown in the most brutal race all year.
Racers will tackle 27 different cobbled sectors. We rated them all, and linked to Strava so you can check them out for yourself.
Last but not least, read our Editor’s Picks for Roubaix’s winner.
How to watch: Good news! If you get NBC Sports as part of your cable package, you can watch the race beginning at 4:30 a.m. ET via NBC’s LiveExtra app and website. (Always check our TV listings before a major race to find out where it will broadcast.)
Tune in no later than 8:15 a.m. ET to catch the front of the race on the Arenberg, and the final 95 kilometers.
Energiewacht Tour
American Allie Dragoo, racing for the U.S. national team, won the third stage of this Dutch women’s stage race on Friday. Three stages remain, spread over two days. Saturday has a short road stage in the morning and a short ITT in the afternoon, and Sunday will wrap things up with a 117km road stage. Chantal Blaak (Boels – Dolmans) currently leads the overall.
Vuelta al Pais Vasco
Eight riders sit within a minute of the lead at País Vasco, with just a 16.5km time trial on Saturday remaining. The Basque tour has been a scintillating, week-long duel between the sport’s GC favorites. Don’t miss the finale.
Lawson Craddock (Cannondale) has been riding well and currently sits in eighth, one minute back on leader Sergio Henao (Sky). A good time trial could move him up to fourth or fifth overall. To do so he’d have to get past Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Samuel Sanchez (BMC), and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha).
The battle for the overall looks to be between the top three, all within 10 seconds of each other: Henao, followed by Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador at six seconds back and FDJ’s Thibault Pinot at 10 seconds.
Tune in no later than 10:15 a.m. ET Saturday to catch the final GC fight.