The second annual Velominati Super Prestige kicks off with La Primavera, Milano-San Remo on March 19. The first Monument of the year, MSR is the first true showdown of the year where all the big names will be en forme and willing to sell their mothers to notch this prestigious win. Although known for its famous climbs including the Cipressa and the Poggio, it isn’t the terrain that poses the greatest challenge in this race, but it’s distance. At almost 300km, this race is a monster. Without having ever ridden it, I can tell you with zero confidence that the Poggio is not a steep or difficult climb, but with a big pile of kilometers already ridden, even its moderate gradient will weigh heavy in the legs.
MSR often finishes in a bunch sprint, but not always. With a well-timed attack on the Poggio and more than a handful of seconds buffer before starting the descent, riders with technical descending skills (sorry, Les Freres Grimpeur, never gonna happen) can stay away and spoil the day for the fast men.
We find ourselves with a pile of data gleaned from watching Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, but La Primavera happens to be enough of a wild-card that all that data will only serve to cloud judgement. Our advice? Take out the radio earpiece to and vote on feel.
The winner of this VSP edition will earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free personalized Velominati Shop Apron. This year we’ve enhanced the entry mechanism; if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the designated area above the posts section, bearing in mind that entry/modification of picks closes at 5am Pacific time on the day of the race. Check the Super-Prestige main page for rules and scoring information.
Good luck.
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@frank
Old Zeeland was host to stages of both the Giro and the Tour last year mate. The super sketchy, crash-infested early stages right along the Dutch coast. Followed by the even sketchier, more crash-infested Ardennes stage in the Tour...
Ahhh the memories.
Sucked balls at VSP. Good start to the season - only way is up.
@G'phant
THE DUTCH JUST DON'T STOP GIVING. My Merckx, we're awesome. I knew I liked New Zealand. Very familiar with the Dutch one...my uncle Max is a Baron over there, beatiul place down there. I'm glad I asked, because it just reinforced the raddness of Our Precious Essence.
@Jarvis
Weird. I'll look into it. Nothing personal, but it might have had to do with sneaking up unnoticed.
Yo no se.
I didn't even know there was an OLD Zealand, but I bet they get excellent live coverage.
@frank
Isn't old Zealand really the Dutch province of Zeeland?
@G'phant
Next time I will finish reading the threads before posting.
@frank
I thought the Dutch were loud. The whole entry should be in ALL CAPS.
Did I hear my name being called?
@Frank - New Zillind is rad - you should go - it has incredible riding terrain (both on and off road), scary roads but beautiful scenery. Plus they know how make proper coffee and play proper (rugby) football over there.
Why don't you come across for the Tour Downunder next Jan, then do a side trip to NZ? The antipodean Velominati will 'show you a good time' with or without bike in either location.
@Marcus, eat dick - I ain't bitin'.
@Brett, your recent article about letting the bush grow on the guns couldn't have been more prescient. I have been, well not quite bedridden but, suffering through the first of the virus' (bad headcold -yeah I know -pussy) that sweep the nation when autumn kicks in here and have not been able to throw a leg over any of the bikes in the collection in anger (apart from the cruiser on Sunday) for nearly 9 days while I do my best to cough up my lung lining.
I've got to the point where personal grooming habits have fallen away, the 'bush' on the guns is starting to look like a 'normal' man's legs and Mrs Kiwicyclist is starting to give me disconcerting sideways glances I haven't seen since before we had kids.
Should I (a) abandon La Vie temporarily and make the most of the potential action coming my way, while similtaneously working on acquiring early winter flab build up and letting my form on the bike continues to deteriorate or (b) stop this backsliding at once and lather up at the earliest possibility?
p.s. great win by Goss. I'm looking forward to watching it when I'm finally allowed access to the fvcken TV in my household...
@Kiwicyclist
1. Refer Rule 5. Amazing that your alleged cold made itself known AFTER you were dropped like a bad habit in your last race of summer. Read Rule 5 again.
2. Refer Rule 33. Brett's article was clearly a test to see who has been paying attention. You failed.
3. Goss's win has nothing to do with you. You are from New Zealand.
So, fellow Velominati, as you can see - Marcus and I have something of a symbiotic relationship.
And I told you not to mention that last race to anyone.
Ever.
Love your photos on La Gazzetta Della Bici, Pedale.Forchetta!
@Kiwicyclist
Hmmm, quite a conundrum you have. If the only way for you to get 'action' is to resemble a sasquatch, then I say make the most of it, but then lather up asap while you can still see your toes.