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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@snoov
@RedRanger
The last ITT national champions include Kim Kirchen, who has retired because of his heart and Poos, Luxembourg cyclist of the year 1997. And Benoit Joachim. I only knew Kim Kirchen of that list.
A very suitable way to celebrate Wiggo's first day in yellow
very malty, very nutty, very yummy, I think I may have found a new favourite beer....
BTW, did you see how far that ?Cofidis guy's bike went, after the crash at 14Km to go??
@Ron
Didn't take it negatively at all Ron...just had to make a little fun of myself for the mistake. Funny thing is I noticed what I had done almost as soon as I made the post and thought "maybe no one will notice..."
The Velominatus are far too on point to not notice that type of mistake... one of the reasons I love coming here!
@Dr C
You know, i think the Grimplette needs to drink a shit load of this. Right now, he strikes me as a Michelob Ultra, or that low-cal pish Miller is brewing kinda guy. Might put some hair on his chest as they say!
@LA Dave
Fixed.
@Dr C
BTW, Geraint contested the last intermediate sprint and came second. Then I beleive he finished near Wiggins in the bunch.
@Dr C
Oops wrong again.
128. THOMAS Geraint 26 SKY PROCYCLING 4h 39' 36" + 03' 17"
@snoov
After doing his work all day long, he couldn't keep up with the bunch anymore towards the end. You could rather clearly see him sit up, but I don't blame you for not noticing.
Taylor, Tyler, potato, potato...
sometimes auto-correct gets ya
@Dr C
where can i get some of that nut brown ale? looks delicious.
my favourite atm is Chimay, only just realised they sell it in asda so now i have a constant stock.
luckily theres also a fine wine shop near here that sells belgian and abbey beer and a local belgian bar about 5 miles ride away.
(pic not of me but there are cyclists in it and duvet umbrellas)
the pub sponsors leek cycling club who are doing a reliability ride finishing there on sunday. seems like a good excuse to go in for a few.............