2009 Paris-Roubaix, First thoughts.

Paris-Roubaix, first thoughts.  Flecha should be in the mix, as usual.  Hushovd too.  What about the miraculous 4th place finish of Maaskaant?  

Can Devolder return to form?  And Ballan?   Can Cancellara come back from injury and missed training build-up?  

You'd be foolish to overlook Nick Nuyens.  He's a young and rising talent, and he'll be fighting for the prestige of Belgian wins for himself and his Silence-Lotto.  Old standby O'Grady busted his collarbone at the MSR.  One older rider who remains strong and crafty for a race like this is George Hincapie.  Remember: he's the one who pulled Cavendish all the way to the win in MSR.  He's always deadly in the Paris-Roubaix.  Too bad his body may not be up to the final push.  Under the radar is Bernard Eisel.  One fancied as a sprinter, he's really trying to become more of a classics guy.  He's done well in the Pari-Roubaix and there's no reason to think he won't put everything into this one.  Maybe he'll just have to work for Big George, but Eisel is younger.  He's got a decent sprint too.  

I'd like to investigate about Svein Tuft.  He seems like the type of rider who could do well in the P-R.  But nobody wins in their first 1-2 goes.  This is a race that demands experience, both in this race and on the cobbles.  I'll do a bunch of research on the riders and then post more thoughts