Who do think can win today at the the Tour of Flanders? Will the "Tornado" Boonen pull out his third win and join a very elite club? Can Cancellara lauch himself with a few k's to the line and surprise everyone like he did at Milan-San Remo? Maybe Phillipe Gilbert will attack on the Muur du Grammont and hold off everyone.
This year there are so many possible winners it is too hard to call. Leif Hoste has finished 2nd he last ouple of years out, so maybe it will be his turn, although he hasn't showed much form in 2008. Cancellara may just be using the Ronde as a warm up for next weeks Roubaix, plus the wind and rain may not be to his liking. Gilbert is having exceptional form thus far for 2008, however he has never placed well at Flanders. Juan Antonio Flecha is always a threat for a long solo break towards the end of a race, but the hellingin may prove to much for him. Besides he seems to prefer the flatter cobbles of Roubaix next week.
Sure Alessandro Ballan won last year, but without his strongman Bennati to look after him does he have what it takes to slip away again? Then there is Thor and Magnus the two big sprinters. If Thor can make it to the line with the group he stands a chance at the sprint. And big Magnus is primed and ready to go after his crash at Qatar. Then there is George. His third place shows he has the smarts and legs to put him where he needs to be, but does High Road have the team to get him there? I just don't think so.
This may seem like an obvious choice but I am going with Boonen. He has yet to win a a race on Belgian soil yet in 2008, but his early season form was incredible. The Tornado will either win it or end up finishing last. Sure he had a great Qatar, but his last victory was Stage 2 of California. I feel that he has been racing smart since then and not chasing meaningless victories. He doesn't need to win 25-30 races a year anymore like he used to. Now that he is 27 and has raced the Ronde 7 times he has the best chance for victory today.
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