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.
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Brilliant ride by Wiggins.
Poor Cancellara - he's clearly in real agony. Chapeau to him for giving it his best shot.
@ChrisO
Awful to watch Faboo and painful to see Taylor Phinney outside the medals again - but Wiggo just rode like a machine - and same for Martin and Froome. Great riding all around!
Ya gotta feel for MinPhin. 4th in the road race and 4th in the time trial. So close in both events, but no medal.
Beaker was in control from start to finish--looked almost effortless. What an incredible ride. Too bad for Spartacus--that RR crash really did him in.
And FYI, Kristin Armstrong took the Women's TT Gold. USA! USA! USA!
Awesome ride by Wiggo. I guess he can take the rest of the year off now. Kudos to Faboo for riding at all. Clearly a class act in wanting to defend his title in spite of not being 100%.
So will it be Sir Wiggo next year? The first time a peer of the realm has ridden the Tour? Or really, it should be Lord Wiggo seeing as he's accomplished far more than Lord Snooty Coe. Maybe it'll just be the knighthood as I don't see Wiggo kissing enough ass to be "elevated" top the Lords. Or as Wiggo might refer to it, The House of Cunts.
@wiscot
I don't think the noble Lords spend a lot of time on Twitter...
Not in favour of knight/dame-hoods for current sportspeople - I think it should wait until they retire. Certainly didn't do Sir Chris Hoy any good.
Awesome ride by Wiggo. Can he add the World Champ TT bands to his palmarès for this year?
@ChrisO
Agreed. If an "honor" should be bestowed, waiting until retirement seems appropriate. For politicians, they should be awarded posthumously.
@wiscot
Politicians should only be allowed to stand for office if they can prove that they cycle 5,000kms a year at least half of which must be on the road. If they want K's they should turn up for 80% their local club TT's for at least one year.
Felt sorry for Luis Leon, how gutted would you be snapping the chain on the ramp? Awesome ride by the Wiggo and great to see Va Va get the bronze.
Just going back to the road race, I don't think Cav shoulda whinged (pom) out loud. The GB tactics were plainly not up to the task, it wasn't any other countries fault. Obviously he was disappointed, but would have showed more class to keep it all in.