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
@Minion
Got it, these two don't show up on our data base of riders and I hadn't studied the NZ roster as carefully as I should.
Speaking of, how does Morocco field such a big team? And yet Luxembourg, not so big.
@snoov
Are you getting cold feet about not picking Cav? Without reading the fine print on the VSP rules I would say yes you can change picks without penalty, this being a one day race.
@Gianni
I don't know how they're allowed to field so many riders, but I seem to remember Luxembourg were entitled to more but had no more registered riders to enter.
No love for Danny Oss? I'm not fond of this Italian team at all, but I do like Oss. If Pozzatto was racing, I think we could all safely plug him in in 6th place. But Bennati? Pfft! It just means were gonna get more Cipo lamenting the state of Italian cycling and how it was so much better a decade ago (it was, but enough already!).
I'm also warming up the idea of a Frenchman in rainbows"”you can see Voeckler or Chavanel going solo from a long way off. That would be very satisfying.
VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert the Crocodile
2. Carl Sagan's eponymous nephew
3. Thor
4. JJ Rojas
5. Spartacus
Just in from four hours of riding. A lot of rain...but those five hours I spent yesterday figuring out how to mount full fenders on a road bike were well worth it! And, I've also easily gotten over the looks penalty of the fenders. I enjoy riding in the rain and stay clean & dry(er) is great.
I cannot believe we're only 12 hours away! Crazy, can't believe it's here again, very excited to watch.
@Gianni
You got it pal! After seeing the U23 race today I reckon he's got a great chance. What I'll do then is get rid of Wiggins and move everyone down a place with Cav at the top. Of course if a sprinter is gonna win it that changes everything. If Cav wins then my other four picks might not be in the top 5 but I'm leaving them in in case I was right the other day to say that he's not in good shape at the moment. Maybe I'll get a couple of points, I notice that I've got 10 now in the VSP which I think is good for someone with no clue who is good and who isn't.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Sagan
3. Thor
4. Gilbert
5. Bossen hagen
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Sagan
3. Gilbert
4. Thor
5. Spartacus
Forgive me, but what is the model name of these Oakleys? Seen a photo of LeMan in them at MSR as well. Think they look pretty slick and bet some of you wore them back in the day.
Am I making a big mistake by leaving Cav out? IS this going to haunt me. I agonize less over taking out/paying back student loans. But really, it's all about the bike(s).
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendish
2. Hushovd
3. Gilbert
4. Goss
5. Boasson Hagen
@Ron
They aren't Oakley glasses they are Rudy Projects, but I can't recall the model name. I think you are getting mixed up with the Oakley Razors perhaps...
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendish