Velominati Super Prestige: Gent-Wevelgem 2012
Gent conjures up images of the quintessential Flemish city. Age-old medieval architecture rising from the river’s edge is classically Belgian. Gent is also firmly tied to Belgium’s greatest gift to the world, cycling tradition. Many a pro-expat cyclist has relocated to Gent with the hope of testing their mettle in the seat of cycling’s soul. Brad Wiggins and Tyler Farrar are two current stars who come to mind who emigrated to Gent. It is where Wouter Wylant hailed from and I believe it’s where Andrei Tmchil calls home. Wevelgem, while I’m sure a very fine place, boasts only an old German airport constructed in WW1 and a pair of Miss Belgiums (2007 and 2011). But the countryside in between is the ideal place to hold one of cycling’s classics, Gent-Wevelgem.
Some may see it as a semi-classic. That argument held more water when the race was placed in between The Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix in April. Now that it’s been given it’s own weekend on the calendar leading up to Cycling Week, I think it’s fair to say that, while not a Monument, it deserves full classic status. Just look at the list of winners – Van Looy, Merckx, Van Springel, Godefroot, Maertens, Steels, and Boonen. And those are just a smattering of the Belgians. Throw in a few Cipollinis, Mosers, Kellys, and Hinaults and the winners list is a who’s who of hardmen.
That is all well and good but what is really getting me excited about Gent-Wevelgem this year is the Kemmelberg. The Kemmelberg factors virtually every year in the race but what’s different for me this year is the Keepers Tour is staying in Kemmel, very near the fabled climb. I imagine striking out on a morning ride just days after the race to have a go at the climb myself with the other blokes on the tour. I just hope I don’t have to unclip and walk up the damn thing and thank Merckx I don’t have to do it twice if I don’t want to (The racers will complete the climb twice).
There is no such thing as a VSP that is easy to forecast but this one can be particularly tricky. It’s usually one for the sprinters but rather than ending in a bunch gallop it often ends with a sprint from a small selection of riders who make it over the Kemmelberg intact. What does this mean for Mark Cavendish after his dismal day last weekend? Additionally, riding a bloc in this race could risk a premature peak for The Ronde the following week. In which case, maybe you look to guys like Sagan, Haussler, and EBH who are strong and likely to factor in the Monuments but may (and have) lay it all out for a day of Flandrian glory as they plot their up-and-comer status.
Here’s some great footage of the Kemmelberg and many of the other climbs being contested in 2010. It’s all good but if you want to skip to the Kemmelberg it’s featured at 7:30.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvaghC3Qhzg[/youtube]
There are many dudes who seem to be going well right now so get your picks in before 5am PST. Here’s the challenge – think for yourself this time, don’t follow the herd, and you just might put yourself in position to increase your tally for the Shop Apron awarded at the end of the season. Start list here.
After MSR, I’m hoping I’ve turned a corner.
@936adl
…and that there isn’t a stopped motor bike around the other end?
VSP PICKS:
1. Oscar Gatto
2. Daniel Oss
3. George Hincapie
4. Tyler Farrar
5. Alessandro Petacchi
VSP PICKS:
1. Oss
2. Eddy The Boss
3. O’Grady
4. Hincapie
5. Popovych
My best shot for staying at the top – chances of success? Errr…
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Boonen
3. Oss
4. Boom
5. Boss Hogg
Some points would be nice this time.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Segan
3. O’Grady
4. EBH
5. Freire
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Boom
3. Thor
4. Greipal
5. O’Grady
are cancellara, gilbert and sagan riding?
Thought i’d throw in an odd one, Voeckler looking ok, might just be a day for him to head off on a crazy attack….
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Hushvod
3. EBH
4. Vansummeren
5. Voeckler
VSP PICKS:
1. Tom Boonen
2. Thor Hushovd
3. Chavanel
4. Boassen Hagen
5. Farrar
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendouche
2. Boonen
3. Greipel
4. Ballan
5. Friar Oscar
VSP PICKS:
1. Thor
2. EBH
3. Boonen
4. JVS
5. Boom
@zac
nope, i didn’t even see team leopard signed up
& the sagan on liquigas is not the italian
No way Cav is not going to have a good showing this time… needs to get a good ‘un in before birth of his daughter… and he never has two days of bad legs in a row… (I hope)
VSP PICKS:
1. CavCanThisTime
2. Greipel
3. Boonen
4. Ballan
5. Degenkolb
@Souleur
I don’t think either is Italian. I’m pretty sure they are brothers from Slovenia.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boss Hog
2. Boonen
3. Freire
4. CJ Sutton
5. Van Avermaet
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Farrar
3. Van Avermaert
4. Boasson Hagen
5. Oss
According to the team site, Cancellara is starting.
VSP PICKS:
1. Freire
2. Bennati
3. Leukemans
4. Boonen
5. Dall’Antonia
VSP PICKS:
1. Peter Satan
2. Faboo
3. Fast Phil
4. Flecha
5. Boonen
@tomb
If only you’d said in the video & you’d be right…awesome Captain America kit and no shoe covers.
@Bianchi Denti
They are Slovaks (from Slovakia), not Slovenians (Slovenia).
According to the startlists I’ve seen Jurej is starting, Peters brother. He doesn’t have any major results, to the point he doesn’t even have a wiki.
@Souleur
Cycling news reports Gilbert is riding
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendish
2. Boonen
3. Farrar
4. Pozzato
5. Bennati
@Bianchi Denti
Thanks for that, your right, I’m brain dead, was thinking something else
VSP PICKS:
1. Edvald's back
2. Boonen
3. Degenkolb
4. Johan Vansummer
5. Visconti
Hmmmm, after last week maybe I should start taking this seriously…but fuck it if I’m picking Cav again. Yeah his pride will be hurting, but not as much as his legs will trying to carry himself over the Kemmelburg the second time.
VSP PICKS:
1. Thor
2. Matti Breschel
3. Koen de Kort
4. The Angry Freckle
5. Bling Matthews
VSP PICKS:
1. Tomeke
2. Boss Hog
3. Cancellara
4. Gilbert
5. Thor
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendoodoo
2. Boonen
3. Boasson Hagen
4. Boom
5. JVS
I’m going to assume Cancellara starts. Either that, or @RedRanger is deliberately trying to flummox me. Which won’t take a lot of effort, btw.
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Boonen
3. Freire
4. Boom
5. Van Summeren
Going for broke
VSP PICKS:
1. cavendish
2. boonen
3. farrar
4. Cabre
5. Hushovd
yes Spartacus is is racing according to the team site
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boonen
3. EBH
4. Cooke
5. Pazzato
Hmmm, not sure about my picks now…might wait & see what happens at E3 then review the selection.
@Mikael Liddy
now that is a good idea
VSP PICKS:
1. Björn Leukemans
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Koen de Kort
4. Matti Breschel
5. Dominique Rollin
Love the video. I have no idea wht they are saying but I imagine the commentary is something like this:
Guy 1: This is fucking awesome…
Guy 2: Look here comes Cancellara
Guy 1: This is fucking awesome…
Guy 2: So why is Hincapie wearing booties?
Guy 1: This is fucking awesome…
Guy 2: Does this look infected? Should I get it checked out?
Guy 1: This is fucking awesome…
Guy 2: Crap, I spilt my coffee. Hey is that the peloton breaking up or coming together?
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. EBH
3. Boonen
4. Boom
5. Dom Rollin
@Steampunk
I’m noticing a strong lack of Phil Gil in your picks this year, has the crocodile fallen out of favour with the Velomitoddler?
@Mikael Liddy
I can’t give away my sources (get your own damn crocodile!), but it’s been working so far. Actually, I just figured that Gilbert’s not “there” yet. I suspect he’ll hammer it out this weekend, and he may well be the strongest on the day, but I’m not feeling it. Recalling his mini-attack near the end of last year’s Tour of Flanders, I wouldn’t be surprised to find him in flying form in a week and a half…
@frank
I like how the commentator goes from initially saying the Gendarme is there doing his job, protecting a rider already down to “that is a really stupid place to stop a motorcycle…” took about 30 seconds for reality to set in.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boonen
3. Boom
4. Canvendouche
5. Chavanel
@Steampunk
Yeah there’s an interview & story on CN talking about him changing his program to do both races this weekend because he hasn’t had a chance to get involved in a proper finish so far, which he needs to sharpen up.
Wouldn’t bet against he & Thor being in the mix for both races this weekend, assuming BMC can get their shit together & get them there.
Boom!
VSP PICKS:
1. Tom Boonen
2. Stuart O’Grady
3. Lars Boom
4. Baden Cooke
5. George Hincapie
Vsp picks
VSP PICKS:
1. Sparty
2. Chavanel
3. Tyler F
4. Tomke
5. Gorilla
VSP PICKS:
1. Ballan
2. Eisel
3. Boonen
4. Cancellara
5. Freire
VSP PICKS:
1. Tom Boonen
2. Matt Goss
3. Boss Hog
4. Daniel Oss
5. Thomas Voeckler
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Hushovd
3. Martens
4. Millar
5. Ballan
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Degenkolb
3. Leukemans
4. Hushovd
5. Cookie
@Chappy McPappystackings
Excellent name by the way.
Makes me laugh every time.
VSP PICKS:
1. Tornado Tom
2. EBH
3. Fab Can
4. Ballan
5. Degenkolb
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagen
2. Boonen
3. Degenkolb
4. Langeveld
5. Van Avermaet
Bugger, wrong Sagen riding for Leakygas
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Degenkolb
3. Langeveld
4. Boom
5. Van Avermaet
I don’t think the kid can go uphill twice and keep up.
VSP PICKS:
1. Giblets
2. Big George
3. T. Boo
4. The Boa
5. Oscar French Frie