Velominati Super Prestige: La Fleche Wallonne 2012

Simpson leads Gimondi and Poggiali in 1965

I just had to use this pic of Tom Simpson in 1965 wearing the Peugeot kit as the title pic for this year’s VSP for La Fleche Wallonne. Rigid hooked himself up on the Keepers Tour with the same kit he purchased at the Flanders Cycling Museum and it’s Grade A nipple lube. Although victory eluded Simpson in this Classic he still looked damn good in the kit and gave it the berries, taking third that year behind the two Italians on his wheel in the photo.

With that, the VSP returns to Belgium after a short and exciting few days in the hilly parts of Dutchland. We’re not sure yet if Brett, Rigid, or Harminator will be drinking beer and harassing the fairer sex on the slopes of the Mur de Huy but the racing promises to be no less exciting, if almost totally unpredictable. There was a lot of talk about the Spaniards getting it right for Amstel Gold. Although they had two riders in the top 10, neither was able to reach the podium. Interestingly enough, PhilGil seems to have at least put the brakes on going Gilbackwards, Billions and Billions is still tantalizingly close to getting it perfect, and little Tommy V may be timing his peak just about right for either La Fleche or L-B-L this weekend.

So put that Dutch pisswater down and settle in with some more proper Belgian beer as Ardennes classics week continues with La Fleche Wallonne. We’re steaming full speed ahead to the end of the Spring Classics in the VSP and there’s only a couple chances left to slot your picks for your favorite rouleur or puncheur as from here on out the conversation will change largely to the G.C. men in the Grand Tours. Check out the start list and watch the timer, good luck!

Marko

Marko lives and rides in the upper midwest of the States, Minnesota specifically. "Cycling territory" and "the midwest" don't usually end up in the same sentence unless the conversation turns to the roots of LeMond, Hampsten, Heiden and Ochowitz. While the pavé and bergs of Flanders are his preferred places to ride, you can usually find him harvesting gravel along forest and farm roads. He owes a lot to Cycling and his greatest contribution to cycling may forever be coining the term Rainbow Turd.

View Comments

  • With bad weather on the forecast, I'll hedge my bets and hope for a successful Tommy V breakaway.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Sanchez
    3. Cunego
    4. Vanendert
    5. Voeckler

  • Hertog Jan isn't even half bad Dutch beer, you just need to steer clear from Amstel, Heineken and Bavaria. Those are piss. (Brand and Grolsch are piss too, I'm told, but I don't drink those)

    I have no idea who will win (╯°â–¡°ï¼‰â•¯ï¸µ ┻━┻
    Of course the weather will be a great factor again.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Fränk Schleck
    2. Joaquim Rodriquez
    3. Jelle Vanendert
    4. Daniel Moreno
    5. Igor Anton

  • I agree about Tommy V's form, however it appears Europcar didn't get an invite...

    Picks likely to change, as always...

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Uran
    2. Schleck, F
    3. Valverde
    4. Vanendert
    5. Valverde

  • Steampunk I believe Cunego is out, accoriding to Steephill.tv right now.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. J Rodriguez
    3. Sanchez
    4. Gilbert
    5. Nibbly nibbly nibbly

  • VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Gilbert
    3. Frank Schleck
    4. J. Rodriguez
    5. Voeckler

  • @Netraam
    Mate, we drank more Amstel than is safe (or tolerable) for human consumption yesterday. But it was cheap, cold, the only choice, but most importantly just 2 metres away.

  • VSP PICKS:

    1. J. Vanendert
    2. A. Valverde
    3. V. Nibali
    4. J. Rodriguez
    5. B. Mollema

1 2 3 23
Share
Published by
Marko

Recent Posts

Anatomy of a Photo: Sock & Shoe Game

I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s World Championship Road Race 2017

Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Women’s World Championship Road Race 2017

The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2017

Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian 2017

This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…

7 years ago

Route Finding

I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…

7 years ago