2009 PARIS-ROUBAIX: The Favorites

We've compiled two lists of favourites. The 'A' list consists of pre-race hot tips who are currently on form and/or have a previous good track record at the event.

The 'B' list is more a selection of riders who could break through if they get in a good escape, or luck shines on them in a chaotic bunch finish.

A LIST
Tom Boonen (Quick Step) - winner in 2008 and 2005
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) - double winner of Flanders
George Hincapie (Columbia-Highroad) - 2005 podium finisher
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) - former podium finisher
Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) - triple Flanders podium finisher
Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) - former winner
Roger Hammond (Cervélo) - former podium finisher
Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) - E3 Harelbeke winner

B LIST
Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) - on the up
Thor Hushovd (Cervélo) - former Het-Volk, Wevelgem winner
Marcus Burghardt (Columbia-Highroad) - former Wevelgem winner
Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo) - Flanders runner-up
Servais Knaven (Milram) - former winner
Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank) - on good form
Sebastian Langeveld (Rabobank) - on good form
Frederic Guesdon (Francaise des Jeux) - former winner

The weather
The current state of the cobbles is that they are wet and very muddy. However, it's forecast to be dry on Sunday, it was warm and dry on Friday in France, and currently the weather is improving fast.