Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold 2013

He earned those stripes around Limburg.

Yes it is a race named after a barely drinkable Dutch beer. I have enjoyed Amstel beer, brought to our table by a nice waitress, sitting outside in the Dutch spring. Atmosphere is everything. Do the Dutch brew awesome beer? I drank some good stuff in Amsterdam last spring but I’m pretty sure it was Belgian.

Now we begin the Ardennes three race-fest of Amstel, La Fléche Wallone and LBL. Peter Sagan has been resting up, Phil Gil is looking for his 2011 form (or his cortisone), Andy Schleck is suiting up for da ‘Shack. The big Spring Classic boys have moved on to the couch. They are not welcome here. Riding up to the start line now are the tough riders who can climb and climb again. Power to weight ratios must be honed to the razor’s edge to win these Ardennes races. Cancellara has talked of losing weight to be competitive in Liége-Bastogne-Liége. Just winning Ronde van Vlaanderen does not qualify you to win in the Ardennes races. Unless your first name was Edddy and last name Merckx.

Enjoy the start list. The betting window is open. Do not let Pedro Delgado sit on your couch.

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Gianni

Gianni has left the building.

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  • Darts on the wall.  Honestly I have no idea how this race will play out.  I probably should tag Sagan for the win, but something tells me not to.  Oh well.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Ryder Hesjedal
    2. Philip Gilbert
    3. Peter Sagan
    4. Ian Boswell
    5. Cesare Benedetti

  • VSP PICKS:

    1. Peter Sagan
    2. Philippe Gilbert
    3. Rigoberto Uran
    4. Nicolas Roche
    5. Niki Terpstra

  • Despite it probably being the VB of Dutch beers, I'll be collecting a sixer for tomorrow night. I'll save the proper Ardennes bier for next weekend.

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