During the Ronde von Vlaanderen, we of the 2012 Keeper’s Spring Classic Tour were right on the Oude Kwaremont climb as the women big-ringed it up the cobbles. Kristin Armstrong (US Women’s Team) was burying herself to get on Judith Arndt’s (Greenedge) wheel. It looked like the winning break was going right in front of our eyes. Seeing professional cyclists in action is always a humbling experience and seeing these women was no exception. Damn, these women looked great: fit, strong, awesome and crushing the Oude Kwaremont in the Ronde. They must have been jazzed too, anyone who gets to race these fabled climbs must get a buzz storming up, urged on by the massive throng of beer infused Belgian fans.
They will be doing it again on the Mur de Huy on Wednesday. Will they be as psyched to crush that climb? Perhaps the winner will but everyone else might find it a bit too steep the second time around. This year’s course is 123km, 13.5km longer than last year’s with two ascents of the Mur de Huy. Marianne Vos (Rabobank) was sick for the Ronde but she is the heavy favorite having won Fléche Wallonne Femmes only the last four times. Stay on her wheel until the final 30 meters and pop by for the win. How hard can that be? Bloody impossible judging from her previous record yet betting against Armstrong, Arndt or Pooley seems foolhardy.
It’s cheating to look at Cyclop’s picks. He obviously sold his soul to the devil, that might be cheating, I’m not sure. The betting office window closes early Wednesday morning so do your worst. Here is the start list.
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OK, I'm new around here so take this with a grain of salt...I think the scoring may be off. I show zero points, though I picked Vos to win - shouldn't that get me 1 point since she was top 5?
@Buck Rogers
Didn't know The Lion was rich before he took up bike racing as a hobby.
@Nosyt
Go to your picks,click on the little black triangle next to Vos. You can figure it out from there.
@frank
Frank: I think it will be about a 100 person tie as most people had Vos but she is not tracking for points for some reason.
@Buck Rogers
I had Vos to finish second, which she did. Isn't that worth more than one point? As it is I am shown with zero!
@Buck Rogers
Gotta disagree...on Stevens...not on blowing out that tire, that totally sucks. Being a hardman is about suffering on the bike. Stevens quit her job and took a run at the one thing she was passionate about and made it work. Who cares what her finances are? She is dedicated to her sport and is laying down some serious V. I ride in all types of crap weather, I ride early or late cause I have 3 kids and a great job where I make good coin. Can I never be a hardman because I am not toiling in a field for next to nothing? (although somedays the field option is more appealing than my 3 kids!!!) Sorry - a little cantankerous as I didn't get to ride this a.m.!
@Tobin
Yeah, I know, but there is something so romantic about the idea of Hardmen/women being forged from a hard life since birth a la King Kelly, and, afterall, isn't cycling all about the romance anyways?
@Mikel Pearce
Hell, you're asking me?!?!?! Seems like you must have more points than 1 but I do not track it that closely! I leave that up to Frank as he seems to just love running down these bugs and disputes, right?
Don't I get a point for having Vos in the top V?
@Tobin
It is easy to be dedicated to a sport when the consequences of failure are ameliorated by knowing there's a wad of cash in the bank. You buy the best bike, pay the best coach, and let's face it - buy the best dope and doctors. The jet takes you directly to the nice hotel. The kids come watch the race from the VIP tent. This is not sacrifice.
I appreciate seeing anyone lay down the V, and I respect all they do. It is just that this is comeptition, and as a fan I get to pick my favorites. And I have subjective criteria for that - I care where they come from.