We are quickly arriving at what is, for any Velominatus, the end of the most awesomest week of the year. There have been emails and comments flying around within the community so we thought it would be fun to publicize our plan for honoring the Hardmen of the Cobbles this coming Sunday.
So, with that, we launch the first Keeper Tip Hotline. For those of you who are inclined to leave a comment, please do so and tell us what your plans are and who you are tipping for the podium. Top five places are scored; whoever has the highest cumulative score will get an Obey the Rules prize. Scoring simply runs in reverse order; 5 points for first, 1 point for 5th.
Update (13 April 2010): This competition has been renamed the Velominati Super Prestige. More information on this competition and current results can be found on the Velominati Super Prestige Page.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
1. Cancellara - he's on a classics campaign of terror
2. Boonen - i know, i know, repeat but he can't hang with Spartacus unless it comes down to a sprint
3. Farrar - Out on a limb here but he's strong right now
Flecha
Eisel
Hushovd
I will arise early in the morning, which is sure to be a chilly one. I will pull on my woolen Molteni jersey and climb aboard my trusty steel steed. I will sit upon the porch for a few minutes while sipping my esspresso and contemplating the pain to come. I will roll down to Queene Anne and ride all the cobbles I can find before returning home to watch Road to Roubaix.
At 3:00pm PST, when the footage airs, I will watch, a loyal disciple. It will involve ales.
And, with that, my prediction: Watch out for Tyler Farrar who will show but will not have a result. He is a budding hardman, but a hardman he is not yet. Boonen, he has a score to settle. Cancellara may have trouble as he will be riding deep dish wheels and they can be unruly on the larger stones of Northern France. Martijn Maaskant will be there as well. But, my prediction is that Boonen will take his fourth Paris-Roubaix. Cancellara will not place. George Hincapie will keep his head on for once and place second, Philipe Gilbert will take third, with Roger Hammond fourth, and Leif Hoste in fifth.
@frank
I was gonna tip to Gilbert as well but I'm not seeing him on any start lists as of 4/6. At least at the ones I looked at on Velo and Cycling news.
This is my plan for Sunday (steel single-speed of course):
http://www.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-1/?cm_mmc=email-_-nl090410-_-textlink4-_-hell
My tip for the win is Mr Tom 'She's Legal in the EU' Boonan (although my heart is wishing for a win for the great Jens Voigt).
@James
Wow, that looks amazing. I am humbled. I am happy to see your vote for Boonen.
@Marko
Ooooh...that's trouble. I'll just replace him with Ballan, then. Wait...
@James
Makes sense you're going through Herts, cuz that's what it's gonna do.
@frank
That was so "this morning" for me. I almost did the same thing. So is Phillipe starting or what?
@Marko
Ha! Well, looks like he's not in. I'm not seeing him anywhere, although I could be missing him. Is skipping Roubaix for any reason other than injury or doping suspension an offense worthy of being disqualified for Hardman status? I think so. He was on track for it, too, after that Flanders finish.
@frank
So who's your third pick then?
@Marko
Going with Millar.
1. Boonen
2. George Hincapie
3. David Millar
4. Roger Hammond
5. Leif Hoste
Looking at that list, it's a long shot. But I like to live dangerously.