Tom Boonen or Fabian Cancellara? These two names will be the ones thought of by cycling fans when asked who they think will win Flanders and Roubaix in 2014.
These two men have been at the top end of proceedings in spring for years and for the last couple of seasons they have eclipsed all around them.
In 2012, it was Boonen who dominated, starting at the Tour of Qatar in February, moving on through the Spring, winning virtually any race that tickled his fancy.
While Cancellara was crashing in the feed zone of the Tour of Flanders, Boonen was rolling back the years winning the race, and then following it up with a historic fourth win in Roubaix.
In 2013, it was Cancellara. While Boonen was lucky to keep his arm, Cancellara capitalised on the opportunity, dominating Flanders, and winning Roubaix in a thrilling two man sprint with newcomer Sep Vanmarcke.
The two seasons were remarkably similar yet contrasting in one key element, which one of the two men it was winning.
2014 is upon us, and as for which of the men it will be dominating this year, the cycling world is divided. If the two men are on peak form, there is every chance that the spring could be divided up and conquered by the duo.
But wait, there is an unknown factor that needs to be added into the mix. That is Peter Sagan. The young Slovakian has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame over the last couple of years, but a big result in the spring has eluded him.
Should he keep growing as a rider, a big result in Flanders or Roubaix is not far away, but it will be interesting to see how he copes with the burden of expectation.
What I would like to see, is all three men, on peak form. Whether this will be the case in the spring remains to be seen, but if so, I would put my money on Fabian Cancellara.
‘Spartacus’ was incredibly strong last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he carried on dominating. But that’s one man’s opinion, and no doubt a lot of the cycling world would disagree with me on that one.
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