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.
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View Comments
@Mikael Liddy
Someone posted up an article a while back about the Schlecks having the flexibility of a (dry) noodle, comparing them too Spartacus who is basically a ballerina comparatively.
@Tobin
Yeah, so psyched with the result today although for the VSP I am pretty much ruined! Just have Wiggo for 2nd and Valverde for 5th left in the running.
@Buck Rogers
I am not too much better. I have Wiggo in the 2 spot, Valverdez in 3, and Eggtimer in 4...I was kinda shocked at Martin's TT. I thought he would be amped to take a run at Wiggo after he beat him in their last race together.
What's interesting is that the course yesterday was dry until the last two riders, Wiggins and Martin. Wiggins said he slipped on the start ramp and was cautious for the whole course and didn't push it on the corners, I imagine he'd have been faster if it had been dry. Martin has been a little ill IIRC but he's a lot heavier than Wiggins but I'm not sure if that would give him more grip in the wet or less. What do you all think?
@DerHoggz
Case in point....
@Tobin
Great pic! It makes you realise just what a fantastic position Wiggo takes up on the bike.
@Tobin
I'd buy that if the bar drawn over Schleck used the same points as Wiggo. Wiggo's linefrom hip to crown of the shoulder to bridge of the nose. Schleck's is over shoulder blade, out the top of the head, giving the appearance of a more open position than is true.
But that's quibbling. The results speak for themselves.
@Bill
You guys are looking in the wrong place. The proof lies in the guns.
@Marko
Wiggins doesn't have much bigger guns, but they look so much more muscled.
Also the line is drawn fromm hip to shoulder primarily I think, and it just shows that Wiggo's nose is at the same level while Andy's clearly isn't.
Is it me or should Andy lower his steer and raise his saddle? A lot?
Whew! Four of my guys (Wiggo, Wee Phinney, Levi and Valverde) made the split today. I was hoping Martin was bluffing when he said he wasn't on form, but I guess that's really the case. Good to see Tommeke in form and win today. He really seems to have his mojo back. With Faboo's ride on Saturday, the spring classics are going to be awesome.