Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s Olympic Road Race 2012

Grewal, legally doped to the gills, takes the win ahead of Canadian Steve Bauer.

You can all wave “goodbye” to your Post GT Depression Syndrome, because the Men’s Olympic Road Race is only three days yonder. I don’t typically give two shits about this particular event; while contested by national teams, unlike the Worlds it appears as just another one-day race on a calendar filled with events that carry much more historical and nostalgic significance. What’s worse, it seems the brilliance has faded from the flame of Olympic Spirit – after all, what is an international sports rivalry without the associated political Boggie Dance of Political Superiority? Merckx, I miss the Cold War.

But this time is different. Contested in London over a route that may or may not favor the squat little speed demon Mark Cavendish, the Cycling world has been abuzz about whether his presence on Team Sky alongside Pippi Longstockings implies his impending doom or his certain success – because everyone knows those are the only two possibilities. Be that as it may, the route boasts to be lumpy enough for breakaways or small field sprints, which makes this particular Velominatus, for once, really excited to see what happens. Oh, and as a special request to the riders, if we could keep everyone off the juice this time round, that would be peaches and creame.

With that, check the start list and pretend like that is going to help you make your predictions. Then look at the route and do the same before making a wild guess and hoping you come up good. One-Day VSP rules apply; get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero and pray for daylight.

Good luck.

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

Blah says:

Jul 26 2012 at 1:06 am

VSP PICKS:

1. cav
2. boonen
3. goss
4. greipel
5. sagan
Roadslave525 says:

Jul 26 2012 at 1:58 am

All wishful thinking. The turn in to the foot of Box Hill is incredibly tight on laps 2-9, and narrow, and on a fast downhill. There are going to be muchos crashes, which - given how short and savage each lap is, and the last 55km back into town is downhill - means anyone caught behind a crash is not going to make it back on... Rank outsiders will win this... Think Eritrea or USA or some other emerging nation. BTW, iconic shot of the OlymPics will be the peloton splitting round the fountain roundabout in Bushey Park on the way out of town just before Hampton Court

VSP PICKS:

1. Cav
2. Sagan
3. Greipel
4. Goss
5. Boonen
Dr C says:

Jul 26 2012 at 3:01 am

@Roadslave525

still can't believe you didn't make the team - I reckon you are the only one who could get in a break with Sagan, and still rip his legs off in the run in to the finish - sadly, you will probably be too old come the 2016 games

I take it you will be taking your bike down to the race just in case?
Chris says:

Jul 26 2012 at 3:09 am

@Dr C You can just picture that but only if William is leaning out of the team car, a la Marc Madiot, screaming "allez, allez, faster, faster you fecking lazy caant!!"
Two Ball Billy says:

Jul 26 2012 at 3:22 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Boonen
2. Sagan
3. Cavendish
4. Sanchez
5. Goss
Two Ball Billy says:

Jul 26 2012 at 3:22 am

PIcks
anotherdownunder says:

Jul 26 2012 at 3:56 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Goss
2. Cavendish
3. Sagan
4. Gilbert
5. Cancellara
marko says:

Jul 26 2012 at 5:31 am

You have to love the Olympics. Where else can a guy like Omar Hassanin toe up with Tom Boonen? Ever heard of Hassanin? I didn't think so. I wonder what he'll be thinking when he sees Boonen, Cavendish, Faboo et al roll up to the start. It's got to be like that Nigerian swimmer guy. Ahh, the spirit of the Olympics, just happy to be there and represent. Chapeau, Omar.

VSP PICKS:

1. Cavendish
2. Sagan
3. Boonen
4. Edvald
5. Faboo
taon24 says:

Jul 26 2012 at 5:39 am

Hedging my bets. I think the break will escape, but then EBH, Boonen, Faboo, Sagan or Freire would be obvious choices in some order. However in a large minority of races it all comes back together and then there can only be one winner. Mr Todd.

1) Wiggins. 2) Froome. 3) Cancellara 4) Larsson 5) Phinney
Deakus says:

Jul 26 2012 at 5:54 am

Go Cav Go!

VSP PICKS:

1. cavendish
2. sagan
3. goss
4. griepel
5. farrar