The Velominati Super Prestige continues with it’s typical post-Tour follow up, Classica San Sebastian. The race isn’t normally given much credit, though it stands out as the first major classic of the Summer season. It’s unfortunate that the race suffers from the ill effect of being overshadowed by the Tour; if it occurred anywhere else in the calendar I think it would stand out as one of the most exciting races of the year due to it’s tough route and unpredictable finish.
A race favoring the climbers, this tough parcours typically favors a strong finisher who can climb well but win from a small group. But this race is perhaps the hardest to judge because, coming so closely after the Tour, rider’s form is difficult to gauge because riders who ended the Tour coming into good form should be able to carry it for another week and factor in the finale. But freshness can’t be overrated and there is also the possibility that riders who rode the Giro and skipped the Tour will be finding themselves with good legs.
Only the race will tell. Can the Schlecks rubberneck their way to a much-needed win? Or will Canhego take his good form and fast finish to the bank? J-Rod, assuming he races (I can’t be bothered to look it up), will be on home turf and fresh after the Giro; this could be his year.
This winner of this Super Prestige edition will again earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. 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 tomorrow, regular VSP Rules apply. Good luck!
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View Comments
VSP PICKS:
1. J Rodriguez
2. LL Sanchez
3. Cunego
4. Gilbert
5. Sastre
VSP PICKS:
1. Phil GigabyteofVbert
2. J Rod
3. Lulu Sandshoe
4. Dirty Sandshoe
5. Frankenswivel
Completely random - still can't believe I couldn't organise myself for a single point in the TdF - anyone, my target for today is a point, any point, ah what's the point...
VSP PICKS:
1. J Rod
2. Phast Phil
3. Gerrans
4. Richie Porte
5. Ryder
Alex makes some good points above. I think a strong breakaway takes this race. The climbs are not for the weak. Gilbert has just enough true grit to get the win, and I think he still has the legs and form to make it happen. But, I've been wrong before.
VSP PICKS:
1. P. Gilbert
2. G. Sanchez
3. S. Sanchez
4. J. Rodriguez
5. D. Cunego
As usual, my picks should crash out before the first feed.
VSP PICKS:
1. sammy sanchez
2. ryder H
3. Peter Velits
4. JJ Rojas
5. David Lopez, whoever he is...
3 Belgians and no Spaniards. It all makes perfect sense.
VSP PICKS:
1. Chavanel
2. De Gendt
3. van Avaemart
4. Monfort
5. Roulston
VSP PICKS:
1. frankie
2. sammie
3. damo
4. gilly
5. andie
I can't do any worse than last time. Although my sponsors were still happy with the Lantern Rouge and I've been cleaning up in the post-VSP criteriums.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sammy Sanchez
2. SchleckF
3. Gilbert
4. Velits
5. Hejsedal
I'm pretty much just making this up, but here we go.
Also, if it's not on TV in your area, you can be well cool and watch it on Basque TV here: http://www.eitb.com/deportes/en-directo/
(The official Basque TV feed, which doesn't seem to be IP range limited...)
VSP PICKS:
1. Fränk
2. Sammy Sanchez
3. Gilbert
4. Rojas
5. Insausti
VSP PICKS:
1. LL Ham & Cheese
2. Fraulein Schleck
3. Phil Gil
4. J-Ro
5. Canhego?