Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Nice 2012

The master of Paris-Nice: Sean Kelly

It’s right around this time of year when the little voice in my head that spurs me on in cold, wet, Rule #9 conditions starts getting overpowered by all my other personalities who at this stage are gathering stones and crowbars and getting ready to enforce their will on him regarding their preference for riding in nice, warm, sunny conditions. I feel bad for the little guy, too, since he helps me a lot in a climate like the Pacific Northwest; but truth be told, my fingers still haven’t regained their feeling from last week’s ride and I admit it would be nice to arrive home after a ride triumphant and warm instead of frozen and soaked like a wet rat.

It appears I’m not the only one ready for some warmer weather, and Paris-Nice traditionally holds a place of honor as “The Race to the Sun” for its timing is such that the race often starts in the French interior with rain (and possibly snow), and arrives on the sunny Cote d’Azur in Nice in balmy conditions.

With that we start our first stage race of the season, along with an opportunity to expose more bugs and logical faults in the VSP software. But never mind that; the same basic rules apply as do with one-day races, expect the stakes are a bit higher with 10 points for first place, 8 for second, 7 for third, 5 for fourth, and 3 for fifth plus two bonus points per rider in the top five regardless of the rider’s placing. Should the race be exciting enough to merit its inclusion, The Keepers may elect to include a bonus round on the VSP for one of the stages along the way. Watch this space for news in that arena.

Check the start list and watch the countdown timer as picks close at 5am Pacific on Sunday; up for grabs is the personalized Velominati Shop Apron to the contestent who wins the season-long competition. Check the Main VSP page for scoring guidelines and rules. Seeing as this is the first stage race, I strongly encourage you to enter your picks early, knowing that you can make changes all the way up until the VSP closes. If you notice something behaving strangely, please let us know and we’ll have time to resolve the issue.

Good luck.

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

936adl says:

Mar 2 2012 at 10:41 pm

Absolutely stoked that we've finally got some proper racing to look forward to! That shite in the deserts really does my fucking head in.

Last weekend was a great start and it's pretty much wall to wall from here on in. Bring it on!
paolo says:

Mar 2 2012 at 10:43 pm

@936adl

As an aside is the Grimplette riding this? I've seen him listed as a starter but I can't see him picked by anyone?

I believe he his. For my part I think this is one of those races were Andy will help Frank...Franks turn to re-pay comes in about 4 months.
paolo says:

Mar 2 2012 at 10:45 pm

@936adl

Absolutely stoked that we've finally got some proper racing to look forward to! That shite in the deserts really does my fucking head in.

Last weekend was a great start and it's pretty much wall to wall from here on in. Bring it on!

We even get coverage daily here in the US..yeaaa! Although I'm gonna be too busy skiing to see it. Thank heavens for DVR.
936adl says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:15 pm

@paolo

@936adl

As an aside is the Grimplette riding this? I've seen him listed as a starter but I can't see him picked by anyone?

I believe he his. For my part I think this is one of those races were Andy will help Frank...Franks turn to re-pay comes in about 4 months.

I just don't get The Brothers Grimpeur! They should leave all the brotherly love shite at home and just race! The best thing that could happen to the pair of them would be to ride for different teams.
paolo says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:18 pm

@frank

@paolo

@frank
I think you're right about the being realistic bit. Riders are on short contracts. Top ten finish..stock goes up. Podium..stock goes up. Your palmares means nothing if it says...blew it all and came in 34th but really went for the win. Shame but that's life. There are only very few racers who can afford to have that cavalier attitude and only because they have already achieved so much, I guess.

Not so sure - take a look at Jackie Durand - classic escape artists who went on the hail mary and almost never made it and still enjoyed great success. Character and panache can't be great assets that a team wants and is very marketable - often as much so as a few wins on a sheet of paper. The, if e guy can also talk to the press? Gold mine.

But I suppose he netted a RVV and thats no joke. But riders often get contracts for getting in breaks and putting the logos on TV for an afternoon - but that's also not racing for the win either.

I'm thinking more of the Wiggo class rider - the ones who could win a massive race, but it seems they're afraid to dream too big. Not sure where I'm going here. Best to stop then.

I think it's just the romantic in you Frank.
gaswepass says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:19 pm

a random number generator would be a nice plug in here, although that might improve on my result

VSP PICKS:

1. menchov
2. valverde
3. leipheimer
4. wiggins
5. kloden
paolo says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:19 pm

@936adl

Never gonna happen. You must be getting ready for a Sat am ride no ? How is dear old Shropshire this morning?
Ankush says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:29 pm

Taking a long shot on Coppel but he has been in good form recently

VSP PICKS:

1. Wiggins
2. Leipheimer
3. Valverde
4. Porte
5. Coppel
936adl says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:40 pm

@paolo

@936adl

Never gonna happen. You must be getting ready for a Sat am ride no ? How is dear old Shropshire this morning?

Absolutely! Trying to get some miles in ahead of the Cogal.

Weather is not too great, but certainly not rule #9 territory. Heading over the border into Staffordshire today. Risky I know, but we should be ok.
paolo says:

Mar 2 2012 at 11:53 pm

@936adl

I used to work out that way at a refinery at Four Ashes. I expect you also cross the border into West Mids pretty regularly too. I have a sister in Albrighton, I forget if thats still Salop or not. Riding for me this weekend will be confined to an hour on the trainer after some kip when I get home in the AM. The witching hour approaches..you can tell I'm dead busy at work eh?

Have a great ride.