Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Nice 2012
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.
@The Oracle
Well, I have Modfather/Eggtimer, and I’m sticking with it!
I like this finishing photo of Cavendish a bit more. An “ahhhh, yeahhh, that’s right” look on his face, getting a double kiss, holding some sweet silver…and shaking hands with an nicely dressed gent.
@Ron
Fixed it for you…
5K to go, JENS Fuckin’ Voigt!! “Shut up legs”!!
@scaler911
I said the other week I’d love to see him get a stage this year.
SO CLOSE JENS!!! Sanchez always ruins the breakaway sprints for me…
EBH wins.
Was Cool J sucking his thumb after he crossed the line? What’s up with that?
@snoov
@King Clydesdale
That was fun to watch until the last 500M
@The Oracle
Its a salute to his kid or something of the sort. I think it looks rather dumb. Two hands in the air, simple as that, anything else lacks class.
That finish was typical cat and dog. Jens was the dog, loyal, powerful, fierce, lacking tact at times but well deserving of praise.
L.L Sanchez is a cat, stealthy, snide, selfish, etc. I just don’t like him. Some people rub you the wrong way and for me Spanish Cyclists are high on the list. Which is interesting because I really enjoyed my time in Spain, particularly my time in Barcelona. The people were nice enough. Its just spanish cyclists… I’ve never liked Contador, never liked LL Sanchez, never like Rojas. Worst thing is I can’t put a finger on why…
Just to clarify, Cav doesn’t wear the Rainbow during the TT because he’s not the TT WC?
Another awesome day – saw the Paris-Nice finish & then went right over to see the final 4kms of the Tirreno-Adriatico. Cycling fan heaven!
I love Oscar Freire, but can’t find much enthusiasm for most of the other Spaniards.
@snoov
Correct. RR world champ only wears it during road stages. TT champs only wear it in TTs. Gilbert being Belgian road and TT champ wears the black, yellow and red in everything.
I’m confused, is ‘Cool J’ Jens or LL Sanchez? It kind of works for both of them, oh I get it, Jens didn’t win so why would he do a victory salute.
@King Clydesdale
I missed it for looking at Jens but yeah, not classy.
@Tartan1749
He tweeted as much at his first race in the bands last year when he said something along the lines of:
“UCI wants white shorts with the rainbow? Fuck that, it’s against the rules”
@Mikael Liddy
Just found the tweet again, slightly mistaken, no rules reference but the sentiment is there.
https://twitter.com/#!/markcavendish/statuses/124390542661521408
“So black shorts with World Champ stripes is illegal. I can only use white ones with the stripes. ABSOLUTE NO! I will use my team shorts.”
So is anybody here even watching Tirreno? Great finish today! Cuddles is looking tired, My boy Chris Horner is tough as ever, esp after having a clot in his lung last summer.
Horner takes the blue jersey, all you mericans’ll be happy today.
Let’ see if Wiggins can stay in contention today and then ace the ITT tomorrow. Good luck to him.
oops Leipheimer needs a new bike.
De Gent is 12 mins out front on his own, probably gonna take the stage.
Wow, Italy to France AGAIN! This week is bonkers with these two races being on back to back. And the T-A finish was first today. Phew, 7.5 hours of riding for those lads.
12 minutes with 30 km to go. Crazy!
Merckx! Levi is a small guy!
Definitely a great finish by Liquigas in T-A today. Sagan climbed rather strong.
Levi Crashes Again! No way he finishes with the pack now!
Levi down again.
3 stage wins s far for Vacansoleil. nice job for the team.
Bummer for Levi….would’ve added some intrigue to the TT.
Wiggins needs to cut it the heck out with that stupid winter hat on the podium. He looks like a goddamn snowboarder.
Levi need to wear a jersey that is not to big for him.
@RedRanger
It may just be that he had the guts knocked out of him today…I’d be a little more than deflated after his stage today.
Hmmm. I have Wiggo in 1st and Valverde in 3rd – what chance it’ll be the same this time tomorrow? *Crosses fingers*
what are the chances of the top 5 being the same after the Col d’Èze? I have wiggins, valverde and van gardener in the right positions at the moment and would like some points!
@Fausto
snap. must have posted this right before me
@Ron
That was my first reaction, too, but I’ve decided it’s actually cooler than the now-ubiquitous baseball cap. So I’m okay with it.
@Steampunk
I am surprised anybody saw the toque once those gigantic white trainers hit the stage…
Bad news for Leipheimer today- kind of screws up my selections. Good to see the ultimate modern Hardman, Mr. Jens Voight, in the thick of things contesting for the stage win yesterday at age 40. Very cool indeed.
@Fausto
@zac
Westra has a shot at taking down Wiggins, and Van Garderen will most likely overtake Spilak, Valverde will mostly stay or loose a spot.
I’d be happy however if Westra had a bad day and Valvarde gained (doubtful) giving me 3 riders correctly positioned. To bad for Levi though, this uphill time trial is sort of his thing. Exhibit A:
Westra is looking in top shape, he dropped Wiggins in Mende and he’s a time-triallist, number 8 in the WC 2011. He has also stopped smoking 3 years ago, and is improving with every year.
In order to win, Wiggins has to go all out is what I’m saying.
@Nate
Oops….
Do you think teams will now start practising downhill TTTs from now on….just in case?
Off topic…
Anyone think Horner might be juicing?
Heck if a return to form.
@Tomb
While you never know, I sorta know the guy (toed up next to him when he was making the transition from MTB to road). He doesn’t seem the type. I do know that he’s been training hard, and paying close attention to his diet. Doesn’t hut that in the off season, he lives in the high desert of Central Oregon.
@Tomb
Unfortunately, I take Mulder’s advice: Trust no one. But I still love the sport and really feel it’s A LOT cleaner than the late ’90’s.
@Netraam
Smoking?
Wiggins rides at 13:25 (GMT) today for anyone tuning in. I hope he holds his nerve.
@motor city
So do I! Let’s hope he caps a great week with a win in the TT.
@brett
He stopped cycling a couple of years ago, started drinking and smoking while he was a brick layer. He only started cycling again 4 years ago, turning professional one year later.
AKA I am now an expert on Dutch cyclists
that was close. phew