Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold Race

Dutchman Michael Boogerd carries the flag in Amstel Gold

The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige kicks into full swing this week with the Amstel Gold Race to be held Sunday, April 18.   Sunday will be the second race in the season-long series and is an opportunity to unseat current series leader and rainbow cog wearer, Rob, who took the lead last week by predicting two podium finishers.

We are happy to report that all post-prediction samples came back negative for clairvoyance-enhancing substances, although several readers did return samples showing high caffeine and alcohol levels.  Those readers have been issued letters indicating that they have been placed on a watch list and may be subject to further scrutiny.

This week’s winner will earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker  and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron.  If you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section.  Good luck.

Rules and results are posted Velominati Super Prestige page.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

View Comments

  • This volcano problem is gonna make Fleche harder. I'm guessing we'll see a start list when riders actually line up at the start.

  • @frank
    Thank you, in the light of day I can see the logic of it all and I accept your graciousness in letting me lead. Can my last post be deleted? Never again will I post drunk. My spell check does not correct French. Plus my catty little comment about the cog is not up to this sites standards. Really I am proud to have it at least for one more week!

    You all nipping at my heals is wearing on me but volcano or no there is no rest and I'm thinking that one of the Schlecks should be coming into form for a short hilly race, no?

  • @Geof, @Joe

    Ah, poor old Cadel. Back to the same ol', same 'ol. The only rider in the race who cruelly was struck by a bout of fatigue. It must be a conspiracy, for surely he was the only rider to be struck by the Man with the Hammer, yes?

  • @Rob
    Ah, how glorious the drunk post is. I'm guilty of a few myself. I for one, though, wouldn't want your spelling any better than it was. In fact, I was amazed by the cleverness of the misspellings.

    As for the pithy remark, we'll write it off as the jealous remarks of a man who believed he had lost his coveted fleece.

    Stand by for a reshuffling as we have decided to alter the means by which we score, giving bonus points for naming riders to the top 5, but not necessarily in the correct order.

  • Updated results and standings. Rob now remains the clear leader, but the race is still very close.

    Amstel Gold Race, 18 April 2010

    1. Frank: 5 points
    1. John: 5 points
    1. Joe: 5 points
    1. Geoff: 5 points
    5. Rob: 2 points
    6. Marko: 1 point
    7. Brett, James, Dan O, Jim: 0 points

    Current Standings:

    1. Rob: 10 points
    2. Frank: 8 points
    2. John: 8 points
    2. Marko: 8 points
    5. Brett: 6 points
    6. Joe: 5 points
    6. Geoff: 5 points
    8. James, Dan O, Jim: 0 points

    Scoring rules and updated results are posted on the Velominati Super Prestige page.

  • @frank
    Frabjous Day!! I had been fantasizing about talking to the VSP judges about just that plan! What glory, I now feel I have broken away a la Cancellara. You guys will never, ever catch me now! Remember my stroke is awesome and I will be peaking in May. Whooeee - bring it on!

    "What? Oh yea, sure Honey, just a minute I'm almost finished, yes I'll take the garbage out... jeese".

    Sorry, I was just about to say that I received the Veliminati Super Prestige award in the mail today and the little Honda fit now announces to all the Hummers here on Long Island to "OBEY THE RULES"! Yea baby, lets see how they react to that one!!

  • @Geof, @Joe
    The panel is looking into a fair means to break the tie between the two of you for the Obey the Rules bumper sticker. You both scored 5 points and while Geof posted his picks before Joe, Joe scored all his points through picking the winner rather than relying on bonus points.

    It is currently under discussion and we will post our decision here.

  • Frank,
    I'm happy to concede this battle and have Geof carry the bumper sticker. Chiefly (and in abolute accordance with Rule 4) as I don't have a bumper from which to display it!
    It's all about getting the message out there...
    Cheers,
    Joe.

  • @Joe
    What a bunch of good sports we have here at the Velominati! But after all, I suppose we all subscribe to Rule 5, don't we?

    As noble as your position is, the panel has decreed that you are indeed the winner, as choosing the winner of the race outright is always a more difficult task than missing the winner and earning additional points through bonuses. Not to knock Geof's great performance - both of you did very well with your picks - but in a tie-breaking scenario, we have to set a precedent and rule as we have and name you the winner.

    You're welcome to ask us to ship it to Geof if you have no use for it, but the prize is rightfully yours. Congratulations, Joe! Geof, better luck at La Fleche!

  • @Frank. Splendid news. I will happily accept the points jersey for this stage. The season is long and on subsequent form, it looks like I'll need every one of them....A spot on my fridge awaits the exhortations. Could I e-mail you my address?

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