Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Gent-Wevelgem 2012

Tom Steels takes his second G-W victory in 1999

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.

Related Posts

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

Sep 21 2017

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

Sep 21 2017

329 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Gent-Wevelgem 2012”

  1. VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonen
    2. Boasson Hagen
    3. Ballan
    4. Degenkolb
    5. Cancellara

  6. Total crap shoot but I’m picking Boom to honor the late Chappy Mcpappy Stackings. And we can let Tomeke win this as Fabooo will do bad things to him next week and maybe the week after.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Tomeke
    2. Boom
    3. Farrar
    4. Fabian
    5. Boss Hog

  8. Freire has got to win something in his last season, and I think he will go all out for this, knowing that a monument is perhaps beyond him.

    I can’t think of this race without bringing to mind the comment of Brian Holm, DS for HTC, when there were questions about whether Cav would race for the green jersey and that it might affect his Olympic hopes (implication being that he would be better off at Sky).

    Holm said the Tour was the pinnacle for any sprinter and added something like “I suppose it would be nice to take the Olympic road race… like winning Gent-Wevelgem or something.” Miaow.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Freire
    2. Sagan
    3. Boonen
    4. Degenkolb
    5. Cancellara

  11. @frank

    @Rob

    It’s spring here, no wait more like summer and the VSP races so far have been in good weather – when are we going to get some snow on the continent?

    Well, they are predicting rain in Flanders for RVV and rain in Lille for Roubaix. That would be insanely nuts awesome to have a muddy Roubaix again precisely in the year we’re out there.

    But I don’t think I’ve seen a weather forecast that was accurate more than a day or two up the road.

    This far out the two most reliable models are going with high pressure over England leading to a dry and cool day. While that isn’t set in stone, the fact that a lot of my tools are pointing at a near identical solution means I’m more confident then usual on this one. Roubaix is way to far out to have a serious clue.

  12. @King Clydesdale

    So it might be dry when we do the cobbles next weekend ? Inshallah…

    My total lack of wet/cold appropriate clothing, both cycling and casual, is a source of some concern.

    And while I welcome a shopping opportunity as much as the next man, I doubt I will be able to pick up a rain jacket here before I leave.

  16. Not sure why Vanmarcke isn’t racing this. I wish I could throw Farrar in there somewhere. I may still before morning. Woot woot!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Boonen
    3. Cancellara
    4. Eisel
    5. Greipel

  18. Too many to chose from… really want Cav to do well but he’s not talking it up.

    Those of you choosing Gerrans, which start list are you looking at? Cycling News have just published what it says is the official list and he’s not on it.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonen
    2. Pozatto
    3. Cancellara
    4. Hushovd
    5. Vansummeren

  19. VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonen
    2. Boassen Hagen
    3. Cancellara
    4. Pozzato
    5. Degenkolb

  27. VSP PICKS:

    1. Freire
    2. Degenkolb
    3. Boonen
    4. Gatto The Oscar One
    5. Sagan the younger

  28. Since Fabian is racing, I’ll guess he gets pipped at the line for a second time in a row. I suspect he’ll fix the habit in PR and TVV

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Tom Boonen
    2. Fabian Cancellara
    3. Edvald Boassen Hagen
    4. Koen de Kort
    5. Lars Boom

  29. Kemmelberg is not decisive, too far from the finish line. nice weather, but quite windy. peloton will probably ride in ‘waaiers’ (Belgian Tourniquet?) on the way to Wevelgem…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cavendish
    2. Greipel
    3. Freire
    4. Chicchi
    5. Farrar

  30. Updating after reading about Philbert’s tooth infection and eating issues. He’ll be back in top form soon, I hope, but I’m not confident in him for tomorrow.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonen
    2. Freire
    3. Cancellara
    4. Chavanel
    5. Van Summeren

  31. VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonen
    2. Cancellara
    3. Boasson Hagen
    4. Peter Sagan
    5. Ballan

  37. Always interesting to see new faces come out of the woodwork when the racing really starts to pick up steam.

    I wonder how many will still be here chasing Nate’s crown come the falling leaves?

    Crazy thunderstorms for me for two days in a row now. I’m losing track of how many times I’ve gotten caught in a wild storm in the past few days. The fully fendered road bike is proving its worth just about now.

  39. VSP PICKS:

    1. Boonenheimer
    2. Andre the Greipelheimer
    3. Fabinheimer
    4. Boss Hogenheimer
    5. Farrarenheimer

  40. VSP PICKS:

    1. Cancellara
    2. Boonen
    3. Gilbert
    4. Greipel
    5. Van Summeren

  46. VSP PICKS:

    1. boonen
    2. farrari
    3. cancellara
    4. freire
    5. van avermaert

  48. OK. Gambling that the big boys will be keeping their powder dry for next w/e.

  49. VSP PICKS:

    1. Matthew Harley GOSS
    2. STEEGMANS
    3. SAGAN
    4. BOSS HOGG
    5. BOECKMANS

  50. My picks don’t seem to be coming up. BLAH – yours too?

    So for insurance…

    Goss
    Steegmans
    Sagan
    Boss Hogg
    Boeckmans

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.