Flanders & Paris-Roubaix Week

Ask any professional cyclist which one day race they would dearly love to win above all others and it would likely be one of the following two answers, Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix.

For cycling fans the next seven days are a real treat as the Tour of Flanders is on tomorrow evening (NZ time) and the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix the following Sunday.

Be sure to check La Gazzetta Della Bici as Simon has posted some nice imagery from previous editions of Flanders like this photo of the peloton racing through the snow.  

Whit at Pavé has put together an excellent preview of Flanders with a detailed rundown of all the hot contenders. Lets hope that kiwi's Greg Henderson and Hayden Roulston have good rides too.

Two riders who were favourites, but won't be on the start line at Flanders are Italian champion Filippo Pozzato (sent home with the flu) and Heinrich Haussler (lingering knee injury). You've got to feel for Haussler as he built his whole season around Flanders. The disappointment is clear for all to see in the latest Cervelo Test Team video...