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: Where are your picks? Are you not playing or just holding out?
VSP PICKS:
1. Matt Goss
2. Thor
3. Haussler
4. McEwan
5. Oscar Freire
First crack at this hope I look good in the apron
VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert
2. Tyler
3. Thor
4. Robbie mc
5. Matthew Harley Goss
Outsider time. Fabulous and Weylandt to lead out Bennati. Garmin sending 3 hot faves doesn't make sense to me - too much to go wrong. Michael Matthews for top 10. Cavendish to sit up when he loses Goss's wheel.
VSP PICKS:
1. Bennati
2. Farrarrrrrrrrrrr
3. Freire Oscar, dorme vous?
4. Matt Gaussie
5. Greg van Transit Mart
Here comes MSR!!
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartucu
2. God of Thunder
3. Tyler
4. Boasson-Hagen
5. Haussler
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartucus
2. God of Thunder
3. Tyler
4. Boasson-Hagen
5. Haussler
That's actually pretty cool. For $1.99 it
may bewould mos def be worth it, especially if it's Kelly commentating. However, I'd sort of miss finding some shitty Flemish or Italian station and following along on the c.n. ticker when needed. Does anyone know if it'll be on Versus? I may have access to someone's pad with t.v. and cable.VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert
2. Friere
3. Sauceler
4. Thor
5. Carl Sagan
Bearing in mind Spartacus is down at 5 cos it's an unknown how well his team will work in the classics. Lot of good riders all saying good things, but time will tell...
VSP PICKS:
1. Boom Boom Boonen!
2. Freire Cat
3. Hushovd
4. Gilbear
5. Spartacus
@Bianchi Denti
Ha! That's why I didn't pick CAvendish. and too much road to crash on in this race.