Velominati Super Prestige

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.

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548 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Nice 2012”

  1. 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!

  2. @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.

  3. @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.

  4. @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.

  5. @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.

  6. 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

  7. @936adl

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

  8. 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

  9. @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.

  10. @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.

  11. Wiggins aiming to peak for the Dauphine, so using this as a leg loosener… but he’ll still do well… but no match for Martin. Wiggins will then think he’s in fantastic shape for TdF, but will then fall short again (sniff), and will sulk through the Olympics denying Cav a medal (again). Destiny is a cruel mistress.

    On another matter, did I see a post from Adrian near the top? Old Adrian or a new one?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Tony Martin
    2. The Modfather
    3. Porte
    4. Valverde
    5. Leipheimer

  12. Two TTs could suit Wiggins very well, even if he’s not on top form he does have the Sky approach on his side.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Martin
    3. Gerrans
    4. Leipheimer
    5. Cunego

  13. VSP PICKS:

    1. Richie Porte
    2. Alejandro Valverde
    3. Tejay Van Garderen
    4. Simon Gerrans
    5. Tony Martin

  14. @brett
    I am frankly disappointed anyone worked my list out, apart from Twiggo of course – I was taught through med school to make your notes as indecipherable as possible, so when your ass is hauled into court, you can just Ad-Lib

    Anyway, I better clarify that Giant Tomato is indeed Geraint Thomas, future winner of the TdF (no comment needed thanks Fronk) – in case he wins and I inexplicably go into an unassailable lead in the VSP

    Also, Wiggo for the TdF!!!!!

  15. VSP PICKS:

    1. wiggins
    2. porte
    3. Valverde
    4. t martin
    5. tejay van garderen

  18. @paolo
    Jacky Durand was only famous because of that RVV win – his long breaks would have been mild diversions if they hadn’t come off from time to time, but once one had there was always the chance another would, hence the fame. I agree with Paolo that shooting for the win and getting nowhere has less value than conserving and finishing on the podium, even if only in terms of prize money and publicity in this professional sport.

  19. Difficult choices for this race, so many could do well, and yet early season form unpredictable. Thought I’d throw some left field choices in….

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Frank Schleck
    3. Alejandro Valverde
    4. Pierre Roland
    5. Cameron Meyer

  20. VSP PICKS:

    1. D. Cunego
    2. I. Basso
    3. T. Martin
    4. S. Chavenal
    5. C. Knees

  21. Why did it take me so long to find out I had typed Köden instead of Klöden?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Klöden
    3. Taaramae
    4. LL Sanchez
    5. Bauke Mollema

  23. Going left-field and wrong

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Valv.Piti
    3. Mollema
    4. Coppel
    5. Monfort

  24. VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggens
    2. Leipheimer
    3. T Martin
    4. I Basso
    5. Valverde

  25. VSP PICKS:

    1. Grimpette the Elder
    2. Wiggins
    3. Voekler
    4. Taaramae
    5. Martine

  27. I think Levi’s too much of a team guy to matter in the overall…he’ll do everything to make sure Martin repeats and then ask him to return the favor later.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Martin
    2. Valverde
    3. Make it Rein
    4. Wiggins
    5. Tejay VG

  28. Should be a good race, wanted to pick Boonen but I think he’ll save it for the one-day races.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nicolas Roche
    2. Levi Leipheimer
    3. Bauke Mollema
    4. TJ VanGarderen
    5. Igor Anton

  31. VSP PICKS:

    1. Martin
    2. Wiggins
    3. Leipheimer
    4. Kloden
    5. Van Garderen

  32. VSP PICKS:

    1. Tony Martin
    2. Wiggins
    3. Leipheimer
    4. Van Garderen
    5. Basso

  33. VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggo
    2. Schleck the elder
    3. Tommy V
    4. Basso
    5. Tony Martin

  34. VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde Alejandro
    2. Fränk Schleck
    3. Richie Porte
    4. Bradley Wiggins
    5. Brajkovic Janez

  35. Early in the season it just seems right to take some chances and gamble a little bit. Porte is due and coming back. Monfort has been an amazing domestique who could find himself in the running. LL has one before (don’t call it a comeback). I flipped a coin on which Schleck. Valverde will do just fine this year.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Richie Porte
    2. Andy Schleck
    3. Maxime Monfort
    4. Luis Leon Sanchez
    5. Alejandro Valverde

  36. VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Martin
    3. Phinney
    4. Voeckler
    5. Basso

  37. VSP PICKS:

    1. chief wiggum
    2. tony martin
    3. basso
    4. tommy v
    5. roland rat

  38. VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Wiggins
    3. Frank Schleck
    4. Leipheimer
    5. Igor Anton

  40. VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggo
    2. Martin the Tony
    3. Gerrans
    4. Schleck the Francker
    5. Taamarae

  41. VSP PICKS:

    1. Martin, will makem smarten
    2. Wiggo
    3. Levi
    4. Kloden
    5. Fronk of Luxembourgen

  42. VSP PICKS:

    1. Bradley Wiggins (GBr)
    2. Tony Martin (Ger)
    3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa)
    4. Frank Schleck (Lux)
    5. Levi Leipheimer (USA)

  43. VSP PICKS:

    1. martin
    2. wiggins
    3. andy schleck
    4. leipheimer
    5. haussler

  44. Hmmm…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Twig
    2. Don’t Bogart that Roche
    3. Panzer Martin
    4. Pity He’s There At All
    5. TV

  45. VSP PICKS:

    1. Valvarde
    2. Martin
    3. Schleck the Senior
    4. Twiggy
    5. Leipheimer

  46. picks updated…but Jens can stay in there.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Le Mevel
    3. Porte
    4. F Schleck
    5. Jens Voigt

  47. VSP PICKS:

    1. Tony Martin
    2. Bradley wiggins
    3. richie porte
    4. Frank schleck
    5. Valverde

  49. VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Martin
    3. Valverde
    4. Frank Schleck
    5. Leipheimer

  50. Boom!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Wiggins
    2. Valverde
    3. Leipheimer
    4. Voeckler
    5. Tony Martin

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