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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@anotherdownunder
Sorry meant @il ciclista medio......
well F me - I'm sitting 3rd on the GC! I very nearly picked Cancellara in my top 3 bought didnt think he would make it over the last climb. Bugger!
Rock on round 2
Gossy you're a legend!
Like the Sydney Morning Herald remaing the New Zealand football team "Australasia" after they drew against italy...
Like the Sydney Morning Herald renaming the New Zealand football team "Australasia" after they drew against Italy...
Since I was a perfect 0 for 5, I'd like to inquire about the Lanterne Rouge. Who gets the dubious destinction?
Should have stuck with my original picks. Going with the first impressions/gut next time.
@anotherdownunder
@minion
Yes, we (i.e. Aussies) are famous for claiming our cousins across the ditch as our own, be they sportspeople or anyone else famous for that matter, as soon as they do well on the world stage - e.g. Split Enz (for a while), Russ Crowe (though you can have him back), Crowded House (they were sort of a 50/50 mix) to name a few.
At the end of the day I'm happy to see either one of ours doing well in the world. Our comparatively small populations mixing it up with the best of the best and coming out on top, makes for a contented ciclista.
BTW, Any news on when NZ is joining us as our 7th state?
Awesome race.
Here is another fan of listening to King Kelly announce. I watch all these races online and love listening to him. Even when it is a Grand Tour I can still listen while they try to fill the time until the finish on long, flat stages.
Goss!
It's great that an Aussie won (and I say that as a proud Kiwi), but really it wouldn't matter which country he came from - that was a super classy win from a young feller over some of the finest riders of the current peloton. Very cool.
Regarding what sites to use for live viewing, here in the U.S., I've had really good luck with cyclingfans.com. I used to go to steephill.tv first, but cyclingfans has come through for me quite well so far this season.
Sean Kelly is fast becoming my favorite commentator. His understanding of how breaks look, how the peloton reacts, and how strategies unfold are awesome to listen to. He's almost always right about whether something will stick or if someone's move will work. It's like I have a DS with me while I watch. So cool.