Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s Olympic Road Race 2012
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.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cavendish
2. Goss
3. Sagan
4. Degenkolb
5. Wiggins
Ha! Nice work from someone at the start with a “HTFU Wiggo” banner – although I think he’s proven he’s able to channel the V pretty well already…
Allez Team GB!!
@Fausto
Team GB false started. I’m expecting the disqualification to come through any second…
According to the countdown timer we could change our picks for another 3 hours!
Let this post be the line in the sand…
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Goss
3. Greipel
4. Sagan
5. Faboo
Having to check the text updates on cyclingnews whilst watching the video feed to get any idea of whats the gaps are. This is called a work around.
Might be the clarity of 3 am, but I just noticed I keep getting demoted. Once upon a time I was strong Gray Order Velominatus but I seem to have run afoul of the powers that be. Hmmm.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Greipel
3. Boonen
4. Sagan
5. Farrar
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Greipel
3. Sagan
4. Goss
5. Friere
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Goss
3. Sagan
4. Boonen
5. Greipel
@pakrat stop changing your email address
Does anyone have a live feed link that is giving gaps?
@Mikael Liddy In the three or four years since I’ve been lurking here I’ve always had the same email. It must be that comment I made about Gianni drinking Steinlager.
@pakrat the coverage out here is only giving gaps as they crest the climb…
The US feed has no commentary or anything. Can’t even get a clear image of who went off the front. Could be Gilbert which would be interesting.
So I woke up this morning and I must be in some kind of alternate universe. NBC is broadcasting the road race on normal (as in over-the-air old skool style) television.
Excuse me while I pick myself off of the floor here in southern Ohio.
@pakrat
I hear Paul Sherwin and Steve whats-his-name. NBC broadcast, baby!
You have to be shitting me – Channel 9 is showing bloody dressage!
@Erik word! I’m in New Hampshire, flipped on the television and was more than surprised to see this much coverage. Espresso, check. Surprise coverage of the race, check. Wicked happy.
Wow, does Boonen ever look thin.
@marko
I need his secrets. Currently, my beer and burger diet isn’t working well…..weird.
@graham d.m.
I hear Peruvian Snowflake works well.
@Marko I’ve heard it helps. Besides, booger sugar will go well with my hookers
@graham d.m.
Making waffles for the family and watching the race. Wiggo with his nose in the wind.
@Erik you’re better man than me, my friend. My wife is at yoga class and I’ve given my kids the option of watching the race or going and playing. I’ve heard some fighting from them, but limited tears and even less blood so I’m going to continue watching the race.
I will say, I was never a Wiggo fan, but seeing him doing some leadouts at le Tour and now domestique work at the Olympics/ riding up front of the peloton I am definitely respecting him.
It’s going to be a sprint! Brit chase, Brit lead out, Brit win!!!
Ok, 65 km to go once more up Box hill and will team Sky, I mean team GB have the gut s to stick it out… I think so.
@Rob Indeed that seems to be the case. The British Fleet is crushing.
@graham d.m. Not really. I plopped my daughter down in front of a video to let my lovely wife sleep a little while. Now that the race is close to ending they want to go to the pool but I’m putting them off.
@Erik well done, I’m with you. Final 50k will take a fire to pull me away. There’s the rest of the day to be a contributing family member. Especially since it appears we may get some drama today.
Just lost the feed via steephill. why BBC would switch to early round tennis when the RR is almost over is beyond me.
I’m sorry UK fold but this course is not the most exciting I’ve ever seen. Is this box hill really the best difficulty you could find?
GO BELGIUM
@King Clydesdale Seriously? You ride it nine times over 250k and then tell us how easy it is.
@Smithers
This.
@RedRanger
It’s on regular old NBC.
Beakers handle bar setup for today’s race. Merckx that hurts my eyes. seriously wtf?
@scaler911
thanks man, I just dont have anyway to watch actual broadcast TV. my giant TV is pretty much here fore movies.
So excited to see my race of the falling leaves logo. Thanks! @Frank. I am Zaugg.
Now if the break can just stay clear. I blame Bernie Eisel and all of Austria if Cav wins.
@Erik Not getting your NBC coverage damnit. I’m only getting swimming on one channel and socccer.
Ah there it is but it’s not live. 23 k to go and anyone but the UK please!
whats the gap to Gilbert?
Faboo is gonna take this isn’t he
All over for Sky
@Smithers
I was just going to say, that large break seems it’ll stick. Go Faboo!
@Marko
How I would love to see him on the top step. Even if I didnt pick him to take gold in this VSP.
@pakrat
I see that you are now getting it but not live. How weird. turn away from here, because we are at 10 miles to go.
Veino is up in there. Kazakh gold?
51 secs, 19 k to go.
Fuck
Cancellara crashed
Fuckk
Looks he may have reinjured his clavicle. Fuck my tits.
No faboo no…..
horrible luck this year.
Boonen crashed or mechanicaled or something. WTF