A clatter of the metal grate rolling up signals another opening of the Velominati Bookmaker’s Office. The gaggle of skinny (and not so skinny, you know who you are) jabbering cycling addicts rush the door, each with their dream of a bumper sticker dancing in their heads. Before the office opened the bookies have consulted the oracle; a garbled audio of Sean Kelly’s predictions where he maybe tipped the little known Gullaume Van Keirsbulck, or did he say Phillip Gilbert. Bettini likes Cavendish’s chances while Cavendish likes Thor’s chances and Thor likes Keirsbulck’s chances or did he say Roelandts?
Since Geelong everyone has been saying this was a sprinters course, so a sprinter won’t win. It is only 266km with no serious grades and a total of 1785m of climbing. I could finish this course, if I could ride 266km and there was no time cut. For the professional road championship it does not sound long or grueling enough but the weather could be cold, windy and wet, if so the Spanish will suffer and the Italians will have to race with neck gaiters.
Looking back this year Cancellara should have won the 2010 world title so his less-than-spectacular season could be blamed on the curse of the rainbow jersey. Gilbert cannot have another season as good as this one so he better not win on Sunday or the jersey will be blamed in 2012. I started to feel bad for Thor when the yellow jersey came off his back and went to Voeckler during the Tour de France until I remembered he had the rainbow jersey underneath it! Who needs that trashy yellow one when you are already have the rainbow? I stopped feeling bad for Thor.
It’s late in the season, many have packed it in for the year, others have ridden the Vuelta to gain form. Are they good or cooked? Will the British team work together to bring Cav to the line or go down in flames like the Italians used to? The thought of Cavendish wearing the rainbow hoops for the next year has caused some anxiety in the office. His propensity for white tube socks with black shoes would diminish the aura the rainbow jersey brings to any worthy rider. The Aussi team looks unbeatable and yet…The bottom line on bookmaking is this will be another impossible race to pick the winner, unless you choose Gilbert.
Here is a link to the start list. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the form below. Make your picks by 5am Pacific Sunday morning, regular VSP Rules apply.
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View Comments
@frank
Did you see that Cav covered his helmet vents with a plastic film?
1. HTC would have had both rainbows next year. Oops.
2. I think this is good for Cav. He knows what this means and the maturity was coming. This should fast-forward it a good bit when it comes to representing pro cycling, etc.
3. All numbered lists should have at least three points. Two is insufficient.
4. That is all.
Rule Britannia. Well done.
Episode VI: The Return of the Turd
@Pedale.Forchetta
I think it was a condom
@all - can we finally give Wiggo the respect he deserves - as I think @snoov said earlier, that was one of the best GBR performances in a team sport I have ever seen - to do 50% of the work, was fawesome - I suspect Gilbert and the puncheurs couldn't attack until too late because of Barnacle Brad's unbelievable stint of the front - I imagine Jens will be standing and applauding that bit of superdomestiquerie
Chapeau Bradley Wiggins!!
Roule Britannia, no? Thanks for the link, Frank - didn't actually believe it was true until I'd heard it with a continental European commentator... despite the fashion violations (and there were many), what a ride, what a ride.... a great GB team performance to add to 1966 and 2003
Doesn't bode well for his Olympic 2012 campaign, though... curse of the Rainbow jersey and all that... at least he won't be cycling up Ventoux any time soon on a heady mix of amphetamines and brandy like the last chap to win it from this fair Isle
But will he PLEASE announce he's riding for Sky next year soon and end the waiting.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
nice one JiPM - appreciated (wearing my GBR hat today obviously (live in the North, can change like a chameleon))
Damnit, I went out last night and totally spaced getting my VSP picks in. Oh well, no way I could catch up at this point any ways.
Hahaha! Awesome! Great stuff Cav, I never doubted you for a second!
@Pedale.Forchetta
Yeah, it looks like a shield to keep out good manners. Hope @Steampunk is right that it'll fasttrack him to being awesome; I'm loath to see him spouting off the way he has while wearing the bands.
@Dr C
Wiggo was a machine. Maybe he's better suited to domestique duties than the pressure of leaderhip? He's gotten an unfair rap this year, though, as he crashed out of the Tour and wasn't at his best for the Vuelta.
In any case, he fucking rocked today, that's undeniable.