does anyone have Overcoming or the the 2004 footage handy, stage 2? another opinion would be benficial.

Boonen is a classy rider, and a brilliant sprinter. I don't think sprinters look behind them to make sure a line is clear. they just go. Sprinting by its nature is dangerous.

Just imagine if Boonen manages to devlop all facets of his armoury. His kick, his strenght and one day ability, his tt, and his climbing.

He is 25, I wonder how fast Coppolini was at 25 and how fast was re Lione when his power peaked, presumably at 29/30.

I think Cipo had the edge on Pettachi at both their respective peaks, thought one can argue this year might become Petacchi's peak. Though with his weight loss, I would ascertain his power dropping off marginally, and I think his peak was in 2003 where he was imperious and won sprints without his train on some stages (not all) in the tour. He has never shown that ability before or after. Albeit after then, he has not had the opportunity much to show what he can do because his team is usually leading him out.

2004 he struggled though when his train was not strong enough versus 21 other teams.

Petacchi's palmares was almost non-existent in terms on wins prior to him being 28/29. He first had shown some potential in the sprint in the 2001 Vuelta. Up unitl then he was an also ran in the big bunch sprints. Boonen is dominating 5 years before then. I wonder what curve he has. You cannot doubt that there must be some latent development.