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

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View Comments

Buck Rogers says:

Sep 10 2012 at 4:59 am

@Fausto

@frank

48 sleepless hrs between Afghanistan and the UK may not have helped the grumpiness of my post, so here's a more positive suggestion - a 48hr cutoff for posting a new VSP up. If real life intrudes on you guys getting the latest comp up, apologise, skip it and move on. It happened earlier in the year, and I'm sure no-one will complain if it happens again. We get that this is done for fun and for free, so don't feel that you have to make rods for your own backs by rushing it when there's more important stuff on.

Mid-Tour or Tour completion, Brother? Either way, great to know that you are out of harm's way, at least for a while.
Buck Rogers says:

Sep 10 2012 at 5:04 am

@unversio

@Buck Rogers

Oh come on! When did you put is up??? i hav been looking for it for the last 72 hours!

Sagan, Sanchez, Voeckler, EBH, and Hesjedal in fifth.

Zero points either way.

Actually I would have tied for 14th with one point! I want my goddamnMotherfuckingcuntwankering one point for fuck's sake!!! Insert Frank's favorite emoticon here.
SimonH says:

Sep 10 2012 at 6:39 am

@Buck Rogers

@Ron

Woah, definitely not happy about this. Checked late on Saturday evening, not up, around 18:00 EST. Went out with friends, woke up, missed it.

I think I gotta call for a neutralization of this. I've been playing the VSP all year, had this marked on numerous calendars, tried to enter, never saw it, and now it's closed. Argh...

+1

+ 10,000,000 :-(
The Oracle says:

Sep 10 2012 at 7:16 am

Damn, delgado'd. But by the looks of it, I wasn't the only one...
Buck Rogers says:

Sep 10 2012 at 7:38 am

@The Oracle

Damn, Delgado'd. But by the looks of it, I wasn't the only one...

Ya, but to paraphrase Basil Fawlty, "Don't mention the late VSP. I did once but I think I got away with it".
Nate says:

Sep 10 2012 at 7:45 am

@Buck Rogers

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.

...

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!

You might already be crazy but it's a wonder living with a family of 7 in 300 sq ft didn't make you crazier weeks ago. And good luck sorting your lodgings.
Fausto says:

Sep 10 2012 at 8:35 am

@ChrisO

@Fausto

That's fair, considerate and reasonable... are you new to the internet ?

I can see how it would look that way to the casual observer.
Marcus says:

Sep 10 2012 at 8:48 am

@minion

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

No. People caring about this (and then carrying on about it after Frank/Brett made their points) is proof we are in the Matrix.

Take the red pill Minion
frank says:

Sep 10 2012 at 9:10 am

Here's the verdict.

This does not get neutralized, suck it up. Bretto was off the front soloing away from the other Keepers by remembering this event was even happening. Consider this one a dropped chain on a decisive stage in the Tour and move on.

On the other hand, it warms my heart that you care so much about an event that we invented for shits and giggles between the Keepers and the three or four readers we had when we kicked this off a few years ago.

I appreciate that this is a competition and people want a fair shake and its not our intention to short-change anyone. Moving forward, as we have all year, we endeavor to give between 72 and 48 hours' lead time, but will be skipping any events if we have less than 36 hour's lead time. That gives anyone in any time zone a full day to catch on. Thanks for the suggestion, @Fausto.

In exchange for this policy - until you start paying an entry fee, we will not be tolerating any snide comments from people who feel they are entitled to have an event go up, or complaining when an event is skipped.
frank says:

Sep 10 2012 at 9:15 am

@Ron

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!

What's interesting is that The Keepers can only see this from the Keeper's view. We built this whole place, and it still baffles us that anyone would care about any of it. Its very cool and we appreciate the passion - but we do overlook the fact that people care.

Let me be perfectly clear: People caring about this is absolutely part of being a good community member and we appreciate it.

And lets get real here for second, Ronnie boy. You having Ronned again this year just kind of completes the season - you've been much too even-keeled this year! Keep it up!