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.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

DerHoggz says:

Mar 8 2012 at 1:39 am

@Ron

They are trying to mix all the sponsor colors and it just doesn't really work. I really dig that they are on Bianchi, but celeste + navy or whatever isn't doing it. The bikes look mostly good, but the stripes of blue throw it off. What is on the downtube, looks like writing? Did you notice their skinsuits for the TT had a lighter shade of blue than their standard kit?
Netraam says:

Mar 8 2012 at 1:42 am

@DerHoggz
His first name is Lieuwe, and I can see how that poses a problem to everyone who does not speak Dutch or Frisian. In fact, I can't even come up with an explanation that would make sense in any language other than Dutch.

Wait, just let me try. L-ieuw(as in the French oui)-Ã¨
brett says:

Mar 8 2012 at 1:49 am

@Netraam

@snoov

@RedRanger

Kim Kirchen, who has retired because of his heart and Poos

Well I never knew the two were connected. Hell of a way to end your career...
Netraam says:

Mar 8 2012 at 2:33 am

@brett
2010 Tour de Suisse. He was asked if he wanted to ride for Leopard in 2011, but he was not given clearance due to his heart condition. I haven't heard from him since, so I suspect he is now retired.
Dr C says:

Mar 8 2012 at 2:41 am

@nico

I still think my top 3 will be money, leipheimer, wiggins, then valverde. I dont see wiggins climbing with the california kid (or old man).

.....we'll see...
Netraam says:

Mar 8 2012 at 2:42 am

Wiggins can climb. He even survived the Angliru, which was quite a bit worse than this.
Dr C says:

Mar 8 2012 at 2:48 am

@King Clydesdale

Wow tomorrows stage looks rather exciting, plenty of climbs with a "Cat 1"³ finish. Should be some shake up in the GC:

Where will the attacks come? On the Chabrits or the Neuve? Or even the Estrade?

some nasty looking sections there - the Estrade is going to hurt someone badly, then a bun fight up the final climb - awesome
Cantona7 says:

Mar 8 2012 at 4:51 am

Whenever I look at Bradley Wiggins or say his name out loud I can't help but want to enrol him for school at Hogwarts.
Ron says:

Mar 8 2012 at 5:46 am

Uh...I give you...last year's Stage 5 winner from the same Mende mtn. top finish. Apparently he's not at the start line today.

A double fingerbang?
RedRanger says:

Mar 8 2012 at 5:56 am

@Cantona7

Whenever I look at Bradley Wiggins or say his name out loud I can't help but want to enrol him for school at Hogwarts.

If he actually wins this race, Ill start calling him Ender.