Sacralisation? Huh? Cyclingnews lost its mojo yonks ago but... wha?

Why would Philippe Gilbert look to fuse his lumbar vertebrae? Is this a strange new cycling technique? And does it work?

OK, they mean sanctification in a general, non-religious form of confirmation and elevation, but gee, couldn't they choose less ambiguous words?

Preview - Liège - Bastogne - Liège | Cyclingnews.com

Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) could re-form his old partnership with Evans to take on the Schlecks. He is looking for victory on home roads, sacralisation as the best all-around classics rider in the world and even a few UCI World Ranking points so he can end the spring as the world's number one. Gilbert also needs to save Belgian pride. No rider from the home nation has won the race since the late Frank Vandenbroucke in 1999.

Yes, Cancellara is fast, smart and strong - but what was Boonen to do?

Riis is a bit biased in this, and he does make a good point about the timing of Cancellara's attack - but what was Boonen to do? He had already attacked on the cobbles to thin the lead bunch out, and he had softened a few legs. But he had to rest at some point, regather his energy, have a bite to eat. Cancellara had only to follow his wheel, match his attacks and wait for the moment. Which he did.

And when the break was made, Boonen was down the back of an elite bunch. He would have expected someone else to chase Cancellara, but of course they didn't. Not with commitment anyway. And why should they tow sprinters like Hushovd and Boonen to the line, anyway? So there you have it - Boonen needed a rest after doing a lot of legwork, and noone was going to tow the others back to Cancellara. So Boonen was trapped. Had he been more alert and closer to Cancellara he may well have responded and brought him back, but he had already done too much.

And if he'd done nothing? 

Riis Reveals The Secret Of Cancellara's Roubaix Attack | Cyclingnews.com

"Boonen is strong but Cancellara is better. He's great," he said with total admiration.

"Boonen made mistakes during the race. How many? Two can be too many. I think if you want to win this race you have to stay calm, relaxed and not stressed. Then go when you have to go.

"The problem for the others is that Fabian goes fast, even on his own. We know that and it's a bonus to have. We know he can go from far away, too, so we use this as part of our strategy. Not many riders can do that."

Steps taken toward "airless" tyres

It's not truly airless, but it doesn't rely on inflation, does it? So as a concept it's the perfect, non-puncturing bicycle tyre - if it doesn't weigh a tonne and have the rolling resistance of blu-tack.

Reinventing the wheel – the airless tire

The patent-pending Resilient design relies on a precise pattern of six-sided cells that are arranged, like a honeycomb, in a way that best mimics the "ride feel" of pneumatic tires. The honeycomb geometry also does a great job of reducing noise levels and reducing heat generated during usage - two common problems with past applications.

"We definitely brainstormed," says Foltz. "We wanted to create more of a matrix of cells within the tire, and it seemed kind of natural to go with the honeycomb's hexagon shape. We tried some other shapes, such as diamond shapes, and they didn't perform as well."

Tom, we forgive you - but...

Forgetting to eat? We've all done that in a 260km bike race, haven't we? Run out of gas? Ditto. Preferring to take 4th rather than 2nd? Not so sure about that one.

Boonen Rues Lapse In Concentration At Roubaix | Cyclingnews.com

"I felt good but in the finale I ran out of gas. I had given a lot in the chase to keep it going and then I forgot to eat. Afterwards it was a battle for second place, but I preferred not to finish second today."

Crazy silly detail - Lance drops SPD-SL for Look Keo. For practical reasons, of course.

Pro Bike: Lance Armstrong's Team Radioshack Trek Madone 6 Series RVV | Cyclingnews.com

Armstrong recently switched from his long-running Shimano SPD-SL pedals in favor of Look KéO Blades to facilitate emergency bike changes with his otherwise Look-equipped teammates

Going out on a limb and calling this an April 1 joke - Colnago's flying bike

Well, why not? A flying bike? Sure! If anyone could design one it would've been Da Vinci. Why not have Colnago build it?

Tech Exclusive: Colnago Developing Da Vinci's Flying Bike | Cyclingnews.com

Revolutionary transportation more than just a pipe dream

Colnago founder and managing director Ernesto Colnago sensationally revealed that the Italian bike manufacturer has spent the last few years working towards the production of a prototype of a flying bicycle that is partly based on drawings done by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 15th century.

Oh yeah, and this gossip piece, too. Any more?