Categories: Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Liege-Bastogne-Liege

The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues with its last installment of the Spring Classics, Liége-Bastogne-Liége, on Sunday, April 25. This will be the fourth race in the season-long series and with the unpredictability of the Ardennes classics continuing as it has, the competition is doing nothing to open up but is instead closer now than ever.

Thankfully, the eruption of EyjafjallajÃ¶kull has mellowed out and travel seems to be opening up across Europe, so we are not expecting a lot of uncertainly about the start list at this stage – especially since most riders who have Liege on their race program have already managed make the journey to Belgium.

Of all the classics, La Doyenne is the most likely to yield a successful breakaway, which lends even more excitement to the possible race predictions. Rob continues to hold the lead which he took at Roubaix; but much like Contador’s performance on the Mur de Huy corroborated the notion that perhaps he’s off the sauce, Rob’s lackluster performance at La Fleche eases our minds that he isn’t working within any illegal sooth-saying rings.

This winner of this Super Prestige edition will again earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section. Check back here or on the Super-Prestige main page for updated rules as we will be introducing a bonus-point program for this edition.

Good luck.

Rules and results are posted Velominati Super Prestige page.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

brett says:

Apr 23 2010 at 1:05 pm

There's definitely doping going on there with Rob! Too much weed?
Joe says:

Apr 23 2010 at 1:39 pm

Most peculiar action for la doyenne. Clearly weirdness is contagious. After spending the better part of the day applying a booze handicap to assist my injured pal on our ride tomorrow, I got the fear of getting dropped and came home for an hour on the turbo...not sure where that fits into the rules. Feel pretty wrongo now though for sure.
Marko says:

Apr 23 2010 at 2:24 pm

To be fair to Rob, Spartacus is on reserve.
frank says:

Apr 23 2010 at 2:33 pm

After spending the better part of the day applying a booze handicap to assist my injured pal on our ride tomorrow, I got the fear of getting dropped and came home for an hour on the turbo...not sure where that fits into the rules. Feel pretty wrongo now though for sure.

Oooohhhh....booze and turbo trainer...that'll clear the ol' head.
Geof says:

Apr 23 2010 at 4:19 pm

@frank
Jens! Shit. How did I leave him out of my dream list? On the basis of the multiple dispensations granted to Rob (see how dangerous it can be to set a precedent), and also on the basis that dream lists don't count for points anyway, I'd lke to modify my dream list to include Jens, as follows: Voigt and Ivanov joint 5th, having been in a two-man breakaway for 240k's and decided, once they'd been overtaken by the Les Freres Grimpeur, M. Gilbert and Ryder H, to ensure that they cross the line precisely at the same time (just to piss off Tchmil and Sixty).
Rob says:

Apr 23 2010 at 6:30 pm

@brett I wish I could use it as an excuse but it was just nerves and over training...

@MarkoThanks Marko, I did see that on the third round. It will be funny if he comes in at the last minute - I'm not really sure it is the best course for his skilz though?

@Geof Hey, Hey did I get dispensations? Or just the same treatment as you all?? At least my shit is in the "real" world not in some fantasy zone - its easy to pick for that one!

But seriously, obviously I'm just having a hard enough time but it seems the judges have ruled and I guess we could change our picks right up to the start?
Geof says:

Apr 24 2010 at 3:29 am

Er, Rule 5?
Rob says:

Apr 24 2010 at 4:20 am

Geof :Er, Rule 5?

Your Right, I am chastised, sorry...
frank says:

Apr 24 2010 at 1:37 pm

@Geof
Very apre pos on the precedent thing, although there is a loosely accepted convention already in place (first exercised by me) that if you pick someone not on the start list that you can make a change. That said, if anyone starts doping their start list to buy themselves more time, we'll have to enforce some regulations.
john says:

Apr 24 2010 at 3:46 pm

Everybody settle down...I should have El Pistolero, Valverde and Vino on here somewhere but I just can't. Still, it really is a remarkable line up for this race. Too bad American TV won't show it for a week. Losers. Too much bull riding to show the American public.!?@!#

1. Gilbert, it has to be
2. A. Schleck, he is fit but not quite 2009 fit
3. Ryder Hesjedal, he is cool and he has CVD as domestique
4. Pretty Good Evans
5. Horner

boom, that's it.

but who I would like to see win
1. Horner because he is old and tough
2. Hesjedal because he is young and tough
3. Jens Voigt because he is old and super tough