Velominati Super Prestige: Milano Sanremo 2014

Merckx takes his first of seven MSRs.

Het Volk (it will always be Het Volk to me) and now the Strade Bianche may well mark the sentimental beginning to the season, but those are specialized, pre-season races that appeal mostly to riders who are preparing for bigger objectives later in the year, such as the Cobbled or Ardennes Classics. Same goes for Tirreno Adriatico and Paris-Nice; there are preparatory events – none of the marquee names have these events in their programme as primary objectives.

The season doesn’t really start until Milano Sanremo, the first Monument and the first race of the year that any Pro would proudly define their career by winning, and so that’s where we start the fifth installment of the Velominati Super Prestige. Last year saw our biggest turnout yet, with sponsors kicking in some serious prizes for the Tour de France VSP. This year we’ve built on that momentum to offer three major prizes for the season-long VSP:

First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron
Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)
Third place overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes.

So, without further ado, check the start list, review the VSP Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on Sunday the 24th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero, so be sure to give yourself enough time.

Good luck, and don’t let these awesome prizes ruin your Rule #43 spirit.

[vsp_results id=”29200″/]

[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/VSP Prizes/”/]

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

BatDan says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:12 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Pozzato
2. Denkelknob
3. Boasson Hagen
4. Bauer
5. Pozzato again
Two Ball Billy says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:15 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Peter Sagan
2. Fabian Cancellara
3. John Degenkolb
4. Make Cavendish
5. Sylvian Chavenel
frank says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:18 pm

Minnie Phinney out; Gilbert in. I predict a selection of Sagan, Gilbert, and Fabian going clear late, Fabs hauling them to the line and getting third in a three-up sprint.

Although Fabs showed at PR last year he sure was better and playing cards than in years past. What's that they say about age and wisdom?

VSP PICKS:

1. Sag Wagon
2. Gilbert
3. Fabs
4. Degenknob
5. Cav
Two Ball Billy says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:19 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Peter Sagan
2. Filippo Pozzato
3. John Degenkolb
4. Make Cavendish
5. Simon Gerrans
frank says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:22 pm

@pash

vsp picks

1. Stannard 2. Sagan 3. Cancellara 4. Gilbert 5. Degenkolb

I'm afraid you need to use the form, mate. Let us know if you're having trouble.
RedRanger says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:30 pm

Phinney is out. But Im not changing my picks on the off chance I get the other 4 right. gotta take into account a tie.
Skip says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:33 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Cavendish
2. Sagan
3. Arnaud Demare
4. Cancellara
5. Stannard
Marko says:

Mar 21 2014 at 4:38 pm

Faboy is saving himself, Gilbert stopped doping, Cav is a one-off in MSR, Griepel won't get over the Poggio. Bummer about Mini-Phiney. Can't wait for Sunday.

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Degenkolb
3. Van Avermat
4. Chavanel
5. Modolo
Steampunk says:

Mar 21 2014 at 5:07 pm

@Mike_P

@Steampunk

Question: do we get to make "rest day" changes after the Cipressa?

No. You stick to winning Barry's quizzes!

He doesn't give away bikes, wheels, and gear though...
Steampunk says:

Mar 21 2014 at 5:10 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. S. Modolo
2. P. Sagan
3. J. Degenkolb
4. A. Kristoff
5. A. Demare