Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold Race 2012

Joop and Steven break clear in Amstel Gold

When people think of the The Netherlands, they generally think of flat lands, windmills, and a topography where people claim to “live at elevation” when their home on the third floor of a building. Never the less, this is not entirely true as The Motherland does, in its most southern reaches, boast quite hilly terrain; the province of Limburg juts out into the Ardennes region which is famous in Belgium for the short, steep climbs typical of a geography hewn from high plains by flowing water. Its the perfect place for a bike race.

This Sunday marks the official end of the Cobbled Classics, and the begging of the Ardennes Classics. The big, heavy riders who go well on the cobbles will take a back seat to lighter but powerful rouleurs who can go uphill quickly for a few kilometers. A Grimpeur may be able to gain the upper hand, but only if they go climb quickly enough to shed the stronger riders with fast finishes. Last year we saw Philippe Gilbert use the Amstel Gold Race to start his astonishing streak of wins, finishing off all the Ardennes races with his fast finish. However, if a Lexicon entry is enough to condemn a rider’s chances, then the recent addition of Gilbackwards should seal his fate. Valverde is back from suspension and going as well as ever, and he could well be the man for this season.

The Ardennes Classics also serve as an indicator for the Grand Tours. The Giro is just around the corner, and the Tour de France only a few months away. Riders will be eager to measure themselves against one another and see who is ahead and who is behind schedule (I’m looking at you, Grimplette). Then there are the upsets and the kamikaze breakaways to consider; Jens Voigt has been close in these hills before, can he close the sale this year?

Check the start list and watch the countdown timer as picks close at 5am Pacific on Sunday; up for grabs is the personalized Velominati Shop Apron to the contestent who wins the season-long competition. Check the Main VSP page for scoring guidelines and rules. Also don’t be alarmed if your post doesn’t show up in the sidebar; in an effort go cut down on the noise caused by the VSP, we’re now filtering out the posts that only contain someone’s picks and no further content; don’t worry – they still count and they’ll still show up in the main feed; they’re just being filtered out of the “Recent Posts” feed.

Good luck.

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262 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold Race 2012”

  2. !

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Gerrans
    3. J Rodriguez
    4. Ryder Hesjedal
    5. Sammy Sanchez

  3. VSP PICKS:

    1. Alejandro Valverde
    2. Samuel Sanchez
    3. Oscar freire
    4. Joaquin Rodriguez
    5. Peter sagan

  4. Weather prediction: Cold (10 celsius at most), wind = 4-5 bft from the north and it may or may not rain, depending on the source.

  5. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Schleck the elder
    3. Sagan
    4. Voeckler
    5. Cadel

  6. Damn.. I know what you mean about wanting to pick 10..

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Rodriguez
    2. Valverde
    3. Gerro
    4. Sagan
    5. Gilbert

  7. VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquim Rodriguez
    2. Peter Sagan
    3. Simon Gerrans
    4. Alejandro Valverde
    5. Samuel Sanchez

  11. No clue… Fire select lever to full automatic, stand back, close eyes and pull trigger

  12. VSP PICKS:

    1. Purito (Joaquin) Rodriguez
    2. Peter Sagan
    3. Sammy Sanchez
    4. Sylvain Chavenal
    5. A

  13. Weird… iPad picks not registering: 1. JRod; 2. Evans; 3. Peter Sagan; 4. Nibali; 5. Valverde

  14. Not Gilbert’s year, this could be exciting.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Purito (Joaquin) Rodriguez
    2. Peter Sagan
    3. Sammy Sanchez
    4. Sylvain Chavenal
    5. Alejandro Valverde

  16. VSP PICKS:

    1. Hoogerland
    2. Voeckler
    3. Gilbert
    4. Boassen Hagen
    5. Decker

  20. Mid pack and gaining…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Nibal
    3. Freier
    4. Sagan
    5. Chavenel

  21. VSP PICKS:

    1. Sagan
    2. Gilbert
    3. Horner
    4. Voeckler
    5. Boassen Hagen

  22. Olé! Olé! Olé! Oi! Olé!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Purito
    2. Sanchez, Sammy
    3. Valverde
    4. Gerrans
    5. O. Freire, where art thou

  26. I have personally reviewed all of their nutritional plans and don’t unnerstand a word.. So there u go.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Rodriguez
    2. Freire
    3. Sanchez
    4. Valverde
    5. Gilbert

  34. I’m here in Valkenburg for the AGR today. Its 8.30am. Weather – spitting rain, showers expected, light wind. Its a cold, grey morning. The shoe covers will be on.

    The little town of Valkenburg is totally overrun with cyclists. At yesterdays sportive, 20000 rode the various options from 65 to 250k. All routes finished up the Cauberg. The many bars at the base of the Cauberg have been packed and spilling out onto the streets since Friday. Yesterday we sat for two hours and a steady stream of riders rolled past – about 50 every minute.

    The riding is really nice – fast flats interspersed with short, sharp climbs. The AGR route has 31 climbs in its 256ks. None are too steep or long but they just keep coming at you.

    I can’t speak a word of Dutch so its … interesting. Fortunately most of them speak good English. But there’s a great vibe, man. Hoping to catch up with Bretto today. I think we’ll be halfway up Cauberg (they go through 3 times) with a big green & gold kangaroo flag and a Borat mankini…

  39. VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquin Rodriguez
    2. P Sagan
    3. A Valverde
    4. S Gerrans
    5. P Gilbert

  41. VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquim Rodriguez
    2. Simon Gerrans
    3. Thomas Dekker
    4. Peter Sagan
    5. Cadel Evans

  42. VSP PICKS:

    1. Cadel Evans (Aus)
    2. Damiano Cunego (Ita)
    3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
    4. Chris Anker Sørensen (Den)
    5. 76 Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (Sp

  43. VSP PICKS:

    1. Cadel Evans (Aus)
    2. Damiano Cunego (Ita)
    3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
    4. Chris Anker Sørensen (Den)
    5. Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (Sp

  44. How is everyone adjusting to post keepers tour life? Not to blue? I have been smashing it up the pretty hills around Koblenz in Deutschland – super place to ride but the weather is as changeable as Belgium. A fine sunny ride descends into hardman thunderous downpour in minutes

  45. @brett
    come on Bretto, just have a puff on one of those funny smelling cigarettes and it will all seem to make sense..

  46. @Rigid
    They have funny smelling cigarettes? In Holland? Get outta here…

    A couple of pics from the startline in Maastricht this morning… it was madness, and hard to get good pics in the crowds (and I turned up a bit late).

    Now, off to try and find my way to the Cauberg (and meet @harminator).

    [dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/brett/2012.04.15.09.03.51/”/]

  47. @brett
    Is this the start of a new feature? Velominati live report? Cyclingnews and others have the actual race action covered, but you guys could do a live feed from the side of the road with info on the beer being drunk, photos of the ladies you are chatting up, etc.

    And did you somehow get a “Press” badge? You should at least try for that one…

  49. Travelling at the moment and the internet cafe computer won’t load the picks.
    Hope this can be a entry!
    1. Joaquin Rodriguez
    2. P Sagan
    3. A Valverde
    4. S Gerrans
    5. P Gilbert

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