Clay -- thanks for your kind words. Yes, I am aware of your respect for my opinion, and as one of the regular posters I too value yours.

1.) I believe you'll agree that Sagan showed his true potential for the classics, yesterday?
2.) I have never despised Bertie, indeed I have shown that I know what you admire about him several times. In fact, since I do not comment on drugs in cycling, I have not even ever been one of those that call him a cheat.

Cheers,
SP

Clay -- that he got impatient is one way of looking at it, but I really believe that he considered himself a dangerous-enough rider that he would have got the respect from the other principals in dragging them out of the peloton with him when he went. So in that regard, he didn't gauge their interests very well, because only Belkin sent a rider in pursuit and it was to neutralize him, since Wynants didn't contribute initially. I like, in a way, that Sagan committed himself and was evidently willing to test his legs, but it was looking like a nothing move, to be sure. Nevertheless, with Boonen complaining about not getting any combination in the lead group, it would have been interesting to see him and Sagan working together earlier, and seeing how that would have evolved.

I think we stand a better chance of our criticism of his tactics holding good, by saying that once his move failed in not making a selection, he shouldn't have kept riding hard, and instead drifted back slowly into the peloton, which actually looked like that's what was going to happen, until Wynants decided to contribute all-of-a-sudden. So perhaps Belkin suckered Sagan, in that regard?

I think when MC has inferred that Boonen wasn't feeling good by going so early is inaccurate. I think he looked brilliant, and he has won from around a similar long distance before. I don't think his efforts were for Terpstra later, although that's how it worked out.

So, if I am going to be honest, and I always try to be, there are some negatives to Sagan's tactics this time around, but there are also some positives to his classics suitability and potential, next time. He looked as comfortable as I expected over this much flatter course, although he wasn't getting much luck for the most part. And, the reason he couldn't go like Terpstra by the end is because he was in clear energy debt for having had to do all that extra work, prior. It was quite evident he was running low on energy when he kept digging for gels in his pockets and was coming up empty-handed. I believe this happened several times, and whilst I would suggest there should be neutral service for such things so close to the finish, it was quite obvious he wasn't going to figure on the podium.

Cheers,
SP

Clay -- interesting opinion mate, and in review I accept it, since sometimes it is much more accurate to review a ride as a whole instead of identifying individual parts. In terms of this bigger picture you raise, essentially Sagan gaining experience for next time, it is consistent with what he actually did in the race:

1.) Attacked the peloton at a distance where soloing to victory is not impossible.
2.) Sustained that attack, as you say.
3.) Resulted in him gaining a good idea about he how felt by the end, after such sustained hard riding.
4.) Learning how many extra gel packs to carry.

In regard to Boonen, and it can prove expensive to enter fandom, I like Boonen also, however he needs time to get his head in order after personal problems.

Boonen works for no man, because they are all working for him by the time crosses the line in first place. SP.

two very contrasting races from Flanders and Roubaix. Obviously Flanders provided the better finish but the pictures from Roubaix were brilliant, apart from Eurosport suddenly going to an Ad break when Sagan first attacked. Hope Sagan learns to be more tactically aware, he doesnt have to try to blow everyone away all the time. Two cracking races roll on Amstel