Velominati Super Prestige: Milano Sanremo 2017

Dare we be so bold as to hope for Rule #9?

Well, that didn’t go as expected. It was over a month ago the last time I wrote an article and every day since then, I’ve thought a thought something along the lines of, “Tomorrow, I write.” The funny thing about Tomorrow is that it never comes. My favorite band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, even wrote a song about it back when I was still impressionable and even then I didn’t catch onto the whole “Today, I write” concept.

Daylight Savings happened over here. That’s always a big deal for me because now I’m officially able to ride after work without headlights. Which, if I was riding as much as I should, would be very important to me. Which I’m not. Although I have to say I’m stunned by how strong I am every time I do manage to ride my bike. And how incredible it feels to hurt. Afterwards, my legs remind me of this life. It is an important voyage back to the mothership, even when I’m not able to make as many visits as I’d like.

Like family.

Milano Sanremo is on Saturday, and I’m ashamed to say we haven’t sorted out the prizes yet for this year’s edition, though there certainly will be some. As it turns out, a free frame to the winner is not always a welcome thing in terms of cash outlay to get the bike up and running so we’re looking at some other options this go around. In any case, we have a cracking edition on our hands. Based on the racing so far this year, either everyone is clean or everyone is on the next thing – either way, the racing is spot-the-fuck-on. Can’t wait to see what the riders are going to pull out.

I’m behind on updating the schedule but will do any day now. Keep on holding your breath. Rest assured, get your picks in by the time the clock goes to zero and you’ll get your points. Good luck and more than anything – have fun! And now for some regularity on the whole writing bit. Not that that’s why you lot come around here.

VLVV.
[vsp_results id=”103998″/]

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.

Next Velominati Super Prestige: Gent Wevelgem 2017 »

Previous « Youth

View Comments

VirenqueforeVer says:

Mar 21 2017 at 11:34 am

@Buck Rogers

@chuckp

And this is why Sagz is such a class act. Kwiat-Krush too.

My above post was in reply to this photo. God, what a great time to be a cycling fan!

There's your Pic of the year - Right There!
Ron says:

Mar 21 2017 at 12:31 pm

As crazy as it might be to take life lessons from a twenty year old who rides a bicycle all day...Sagan's philosophy is pretty fucking incredible.

No stress, no worries. Tranquilo at all times. Train your ass off. Race your ass off. Do you maximum. If you succeed, awesome. If not, shake the lads hand and look towards next weekend with no regrets.

It's not always possible, but to just live free of fear, regret, pessimism and just do your best and not worry about the results, well, that is amazing. Chapeau to that dude, for sure.
RobSandy says:

Mar 22 2017 at 2:32 am

@Ron

'Like' button pressed
BacklashJack says:

Mar 22 2017 at 2:14 pm

1. Delgado! Dammit dammit dammit! (Only excuse- I've been observing a relatively monastic existence while observing an intense observance of Rule #71.)

2. It is an amazing time to be a cycling fan, indeed. I think only my fellow Velominati understand the rush and anxiety that I felt from the time He attacked on the Poggio to the throw across the line.

3. Champions win not just when they aren't first on the podium, but when they show us how great their sport can be.

Do we have a reverent name for Sagan yet? We have the Prophet, the Apostle, the Lion, Il Pirata, The Twatwaffle, ....surely this deserves some endless discussion on this site.
Ricardo says:

Mar 22 2017 at 5:00 pm

@KogaLover

Also notice, Sagan is the only one not on his brakes - full commitment
Pali65 says:

Mar 23 2017 at 11:55 pm

If we have the Prophet and Apostle why not Petrus "the Rock" or Pontifex - his name is Peter anyway... :)
Rick says:

Mar 24 2017 at 7:13 am

@Pali65

If we have the Prophet and Apostle why not Petrus “the Rock” or Pontifex – his name is Peter anyway… :)

Peter the Great?
wiscot says:

Mar 24 2017 at 9:50 am

Some great racing in the E3 today. Gilbert is on form as are GvA and Tommeke. Flanders should be fun - although Quick Step must be getting a bit tired of the second step they seem to be on a lot these days. (Yes, I know Lampaert won on Tuesday and that they've scored a few wins this season, but they weren't the ones that really mattered).
Cary says:

Mar 24 2017 at 6:05 pm

this spring has certainly NOT disappointed so far!
kixsand says:

Mar 25 2017 at 1:24 pm

@Ron

Nice stuff Ron.