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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@Tartan1749
I believe the helmet concept is the same as what is being applied to a lot of tubes and others - it has a technical name which I can't recall.
Basically the original idea of the aero helmets and tubes is that they're shaped like aircraft wings to taper to a point.
The newer theory is that the aero effect is more to do with the front not the back - you get nearly the same effect if you just cut off the back and the weight saved more than compensates.
@Ron
Oh yeah, you know Tyler Phinney? i was a big fan of his dad Darvis back in the 80's. He was one of my favorite american racers along with Craig Lemond and Randy Hampsten!
Haha.. I stand corrected... left off a very important "a". Surprised it doesn't happen more when I post from my iphone.
Couldn't agree more about Boonen, he's looking about the best he's been this early in the season in a few years.
What is up with the Sky helmet covers? Aero or weather? Looks like what Cav had at Worlds, and not very bad looking.
Side note: Astana really stands out with their light/bright warmers vs. all the black.
@Ron
Just saying, I've said this before and I'll say it again, Boom Boom Boonen and his favourite lead out man, Gert Steegmans are back together ... Steegmans spent a year or 2 with Katyusha, while Boonen went off the boil, and now he's returned, Boonen's back to being a monster. Sue me if I'm wrong.
@DerHoggz
I read that the helmet cover Cav used at the Worlds has been banned or is likely to be.
The UCI has said something like "helmets can't have added on bits like a cover that makes them more aero". So I reckon these are not covers, the helmets come like that and yes it's all about aerodynamics. The Sky modus operandi is to use any possible tech advantage, no matter how small the effect.
@mouse
There have been some adverts in some of the British cycling press for the same thing. The wording of the ads suggests that it is a perfectly legal for of EPO (I don't have it to hand at the moment). The fact that the ad is appearing at all in the the press also suggests that it is legitimate but I can't help feeling it's a bit suspect.
That said it could be just the thing I need to avoid being shat out the back on the keepers tour.
Evening Primrose Oil, perhaps?
@Oli
+1 nice one @Oli
@DerHoggz
There's my two boys, Twiggo and Giant Tomato on the front, fucking nailing it - g'wan ma saans!!
Well folks, it's official. Schleck Jnr has a sick note from his Mum and has been excused from Paris-Nice.
Taxi for Schleck!
@Fausto
You are joking......
Bit early in the season for 2012 Anti-V submissions, no?