Velominati Super Prestige: Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal 2012

Rui Costa leafs the opposition behind in 2011. Photo: Rob Jones

Ok, as some of you have been reminding us, this one slipped off the radar last year, and threatened to do the same again this time. Is it because it’s held in Canada? That despite a quality field and only two weeks away from the Worlds, it’s in Canada? That even though the course is a perfect template for riders who hold hopes for earning some stripes in Valkenburg, this race is still in Canada?

There should be a good deal of interest in this race from the locals, now that The Weight of a Nation has been somewhat lifted with Ryder’s win in the Giro in May. He will be on the start line in Montreal, no doubt garnering the most attention of anyone clipping in for this semi-Classic, fast gaining a solid reputation along with its sibling in Quebec, held on Friday and won by Aussie puncheur Simon Gerrans. These two could both feature here, and will definitely be looking ahead a fortnight too. Lats year’s winner Rui Costa is back to defend, and the likes of T5, GvA, LL Cool, Chav, Sags and Boss Hog will all have something to say.

Check out the start list, think about your goals for the Worlds, get your picks in and good luck!

Brett

Don't blame me

View Comments

  • @meursault

    No, you don't have to be on Facebook to get notified of a VSP or an article. The VSP goes up here first, then is put on Facebook.

    Of the top 5 in the VSP who have a chance to win it, no-one scored more than 1 point, so it's really not an issue.

    Case closed.

  • @meursault

    I'm not a massive fan of FB but I suppose thats one of the main reasons I use it - to keep updated on a wide range of different stuff I'm interested in one central place.  

    I guess I'm just saying that if you are on FB, you may as well like or friend (or whatever) velominati keepers then everytime a new article is published you get it in your news feed. If this means you don't miss a VSP, like a lot of people have done in this instance, then its worth doing.      

  • @frank @brett Don't neutralize. It is definitely ta ime for Rule V (when is it not?). Apologies if my comment suggested otherwise.  (It is easy to be uncomplaining when the result turned out to be so irrelevant.)

  • @minion

    People care about this in the real world? Well eff me sideways with a supermodel.

    I just spilled my tea...

  • @graham d.m.

    Sounds foolproof. Also, you get to proclaim your genius in the event of a win.

    I shall be picking some obscure-ass-bastards for the worlds.

  • @frank

    I would encourage those of you complaining about the short window on this VSP to remember a few things:

    1. The Keepers do this in our spare time; we all have jobs and Velominati one is not one of them.
    2. You are not paying to play this game. This is a free game, with Velominati investing in prizes to be given away purely for the enjoyment of it all.
    3. Rule Fucking Five.
    We are considering what to do about the short window, but I'll tell you something: I take very little time away from Velominati and when I do take a weekend to enjoy myself, only to log on to see people pissing and moaning over a fucking game, it doesn't do much to make me sympathetic towards your case. 
     
    We may yet neutralize it, and we may not. Ater all, there were 40 some odd people who managed to get their picks in. We will let you know of our decision. In the mean time, settle the fuck down, and go ride your bike.
     
    Rant over. Carry on.

    Point taken.  My apologies.  But I actually really do enjoy the VSP and really enjoy following it along and trying to do well.  I know that I am borderline OCD on most of things in life and this is the one of them.  Probably just need to get on some meds or something.  Psych never was one of my favorite rotations in med school.

    Maybe a 24 hour or 48 hour window of posting before the start or not posting the event at all as Fausto suggests would make sense.  I know that we talked about that in the last off season.

    Could also be that I have now been in my Dad's 300 sq ft RV with my wife and five kids for 22 straight days now.  Man, we need to get our house soon or we are all going to go crazy here at West Point!

  • Just gotta say that I'm sure the Keepers put in far more work here, for free, than I can imagine. I do truly appreciate that. It's awesome, I love sticking around here and seeing what happens.

    But, to just say Rule V this and get over it because it's a game misses the point, for me. Yeah, the VSP is just a fucking game. But, isn't this place just for fucking fun? And has a big-time "you get out what you put in factor"? Participating in the VSP, reading articles, helping others out with questions (though I'm generally the one getting helped), talking about rides, races, cycling, that's what we're here for. I consider taking an interest in and following the VSP part of being a contributing member.

    My call for a neutralization was kind of out of shock that I'd missed it when I woke up Sunday morning. Letting things stand is totally cool. BUT, I do want to point out that caring about taking part in the VSP is a piece in the larger puzzle of being a Follower, for me. I hope this doesn't come off as a further whinge or complaint. It's not. Just a clarification that the VSP is a part of this whole and if everyone just said fuggit, things would be less fun.

    Thanks, Keepers!

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