Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s Olympic Road Race 2016

The 1984 Road Race

The Men’s Olympic Road Race, a race traditionally won by the biggest jerk in the bunch, usually after one of the coolest riders in the bunch makes a mess of things when the race is all but in his hands. Take Fabian Cancellara last time ’round, casually looking behind him as he leaned into a right-hander which he then just as casually overshot, opening the door for Alexandre Vinokourov – dirtiest rider in the bunch – to buy off the race from Rigoberto Uran Uran.

In 1980 the Rooskies won because no one else showed up to the race, then in ’84 Alexi Grewal won, beating Steve Bauer to the line. I don’t think there has ever been a nicer guy in the peloton who came second place in more important races than Steve Bauer. The Olympics, Paris-Roubaix. He got tangled up in the sprint for the Worlds once, and got sued as a result. In 1989, he flatted out of the lead group at the Worlds, when the math said Sean Kelly should have been the fastest sprinter. But math isn’t always right and Greg LeMond bested Sean to the line; there is no reason to belief Bauer wouldn’t have been in that sprint finish, with every possibility of taking top honors.

But races aren’t won on theories, and coulda-woulda-shouldas. My money is on a climber with a good descent and a fast finish, like Alejandro Valvecap. Nibali could get away, but let’s face it – it would be too glorious if he won and glorious things don’t normally happen in the Men’s Olympic Road Race. Is Armstrong coming out of retirement (again) for the race? Maybe he’ll win.

Check the start list, maybe check the 10 Riders to Watch list, and get your picks in by the time the clock goes to zero, and good luck.
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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

RobSandy says:

Aug 10 2016 at 3:51 am

@Teocalli

After an early season flurry in a breakaway in the Classics I’m back solidly in the Peloton. Could be worse at least I’m avoiding the AutoBus so far the year.

I think I've made the selection but it remains to be seen if I've got the legs to make it to the finish line in a good position.
Randy C says:

Aug 10 2016 at 5:34 am

@RobSandy

@Teocalli

After an early season flurry in a breakaway in the Classics I’m back solidly in the Peloton. Could be worse at least I’m avoiding the AutoBus so far the year.

I think I’ve made the selection but it remains to be seen if I’ve got the legs to make it to the finish line in a good position.

Re: the VSP I'm pretty sure I missed the course marshals and made a wrong turn. I say that metaphorically yes, but, that's actually happened twice in reality. Once with an entire lead group and peloton in a CAT 5 road race. Go figure… cheers
ChrisO says:

Aug 10 2016 at 2:01 pm

@frank

@Buck Rogers

So does the winner (not I) get an Olympic Ring posting tag for the next four years???

Good call! I will make this so! Men and Women, of course.

@dinosaurJR

Stand by; I am a tad short on time at the moment but this will happen.

Unlikely as it may seem, the IOC is known to be a tad protective and litigious about use of the Olympic Rings.

Something like crossed laurel wreaths, in the style of the ancient Olympics, might be suitable and trademark free alternative. Indeed you have a prototype around the VSP emblem.

Or golden shoes, a la Sammy Sanchez.
Teocalli says:

Aug 10 2016 at 2:34 pm

@ChrisO

@frank

@Buck Rogers

So does the winner (not I) get an Olympic Ring posting tag for the next four years???

Good call! I will make this so! Men and Women, of course.

@dinosaurJR

Stand by; I am a tad short on time at the moment but this will happen.

Unlikely as it may seem, the IOC is known to be a tad protective and litigious about use of the Olympic Rings.

Something like crossed laurel wreaths, in the style of the ancient Olympics, might be suitable and trademark free alternative. Indeed you have a prototype around the VSP emblem.

Or golden shoes, a la Sammy Sanchez.

A Gold, Silver and Bronze V Cog?