Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Roubaix 2012
We rode the Pavé of Roubaix in the dry, and any comforting feelings we might have been carrying about with us that suggested we had somehow prepared for them were summarily vaporized as we hit the first secteur. Riding together in a group, unable to reach for the brakes or the shifters, we all were hit with the same realization: these aren’t like the stones we have at home. Not if you live anywhere other than along the cobbled roads of Northern France. Not if you live in England. Not if you live in the Netherlands. Not even if you live in Belgium. And we won’t even talk about the rest of the world.
The Trouée of Arenberg is a sacred place. Arriving there, you feel the need to pray out of respect. Riding there, you feel the need to pray out of a sense of self preservation. There is no smooth path through these particularly rough cobbles. That was in the dry; if the race is wet as predicted by the weathermen (whom I assume are as bad at being right as they are in the States), then there isn’t a bag big enough to hold all the prayers the riders are going to need to get through these. And the Trouée is not the hardest or roughest secteur, by a considerable margin; that honor goes to Mons-en-Pévéle or Carrfoure de l’Arbre.
Keep an eye on the weather report as the race comes nearer, as wet roads will turn this race into one of attrition. Cancellara has broken his collarbone; Boonen, Pozzato, and Ballan are on form. But this is a long race, and details such as those matter little when a race contains over fifty kilometers of cobbles. Is it another year for the breakaway, or will the favorites close it down as they approach the finale? I don’t know, but watch the countdown timer and get your picks in by Sunday morning at 5am Pacific. Winner of this VSP event will earn the right to comment all year with the pavé commenting badge. We will also forgo the usual Symbol Pack prize awarded to a Monument and award the winner a copy of the local newspaper the day after the race.
Bon chance.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Sagan
3. Thor
4. Pozzatto
5. Boss Hog
Revised
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzatto
3. Sylvain Chavanel
4. Ballan
5. Thor
VSP PICKS:
1. Filippo Pozzato
2. Alessandro Ballan
3. Tom Boonen
4. Sep Vanmarcke
5. Sylvain Chavanel
@Dr C
It’s called “a ploy”. Thor and I are gonna rob Ladbrokes with this ploy!
With Peter Sagen potentaily not taking the start….
VSP PICKS:
1. Thor
2. Boonen
3. Pozzato
4. Ballan
5. EBH
@paolo
Where is this at on Sagan’s Website. I can’t find it.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzato
3. Hushovd
4. Ballan
5. EBH
VSP PICKS:
1. Ballan
2. Flecha
3. Boom
4. Thor
5. JVS
VSP PICKS:
1. VanMarcke
2. Boonen
3. Pozzatoes
4. Thor
5. Ballan
See if I can make a comeback after a strong start and failing miserably the last few weeks.
VSP PICKS:
1. Thor
2. T Boo
3. Baller
4. Boss Hog
5. Potatoe
Daniele Bennati, born 1980 Italy, team Radioshack-Nissan: ranked from 16, to 34, to 30, to 29, to 33, to 31, to 34 so far this season — while his team Radioshack-Nissan ranked from 1, to 3, to 1, to 1, to 1, to 4, to 5… never mind. Going with a real underdog! And predicting a Sky Procycling one-two punch!
VSP PICKS:
1. BENNATI Daniele (ITA1980)
2. WESTRA
3. BALLAN
4. BOASSON HAGEN
5. EISEL
@TomB
here ya go
Paris Roubaix is not listed. I heard last week also that they were resting him for the Amstel.
VSP PICKS:
1. Hushovd
2. Boonen
3. Vanmarcke
4. Pozzato
5. Hincappie
I forgot that Sunday is Easter. I’ll be at the church of Merckx watching the race.
yeah, i know. i’m subjecting myself to all sorts of ridcule. george has had a great career & chances are good he won’t make it, but hey, i’m going to pull for the underdog anyway…
VSP PICKS:
1. hincapie
2. boonen
3. pozzato
4. van summeren
5. phinney
@actor1
George
@Vin’cenza
I wish I could unsee this!
@RedRanger
I’ve been an atheist since I was 14, but I’ll gladly convert to the Church of Merckx!
If you dig through this set, the photog, @EyeReflectionFoto on Flikr mistook some Velominati for Pros during our Ride with the Pros during the Paris-Roubaix recce. Understandable, really.
[dmalbum flikr=”72157629383149390″/]
The break will total 423 years old but only have three guys in it. Then the young ‘uns catch em.
VSP PICKS:
1. Rast
2. Hincapie
3. Degenkolb
4. Stuey
5. Au Revoir Guesdon
@actor1
George halts ride for nature walk (nature photo)
@Sauterelle
He won’t save you either.
@frank
What is the make of the “V” face plate stem ??
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzato
3. Van Summeren
4. Dengelkob
5. Hincapie
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Flecha
3. Ballan
4. Vanmarcke
5. Roulston
George is an emotional pick. I’d sure like to see him up front for this one. He looked good rolling past at the end of the Le Carrefour de l’Arbre today.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Hushovd
3. Billions and Billions
4. Chavenel
5. Hincapie
.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Ballan
3. Pozzato
4. Hushovd
5. Hincapie
For sentimental reasons I’m going for Pippo. Remember a few years ago when his acceleration devastated the peloton and set up Tommeke. He has the power.
VSP PICKS:
1. Pozzato
2. Boonen
3. Hushovd
4. Flecha
5. Stannard
@frank
Awesome. I wonder what the footage from the head tube of Markos bike will look like on the cobbles?
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzato
3. Ballan
4. Hushovd
5. Flecha
@frank
Not suprising at all Frank. You both look awesome in your Flandrian best! Chapeau!
Taking a gamble that BMC will put it all on the line to get Thor out front. Chavanel will be riding for Tommeke but is still looking super strong. I don’t expect to see Sky in the top 5 but hedging my bets in case they actually manage to get BossHog in a break. Really though, I just want to see Thor win this thing finally.
VSP PICKS:
1. Hushovd
2. Boonen
3. Breschel
4. Chavanel
5. Boasson Hagen
@Vin’cenza
Um, I think you are asking about the Dutch Monkey’s stem on his #1. That’s a Shimano Pro Vibe stem. (I think there is a “vibe” in there.) I rode one for awhile but the grey didn’t match properly with my silver bike. I did like the V though.
Is that actually Big George with the turtle? Arms look to have fair hair; I’m guessing George has black hair. Maybe that wasn’t the implication and it was just a joke?
I’m mistaken for a PRO almost every time I leave the house – people snapping photos, team car behind me, folks scurrying to pick up my discarded bidons. Actually, it can be pretty funny when someone inquires who doesn’t know much about cycling and they assume that since you’re in full Lycra, you must be a PRO.
@Cyclops
The footage is sweet. Super sharp and stable, and really gives an idea of what it’s like to have the shit shaken out of you for hours on end.
VSP PICKS:
1. Tom d’Vlamboonen
2. Potato
3. Boss Hog
4. The Spanish Arrow
5. Nina Pretty Ballanrina
Marko is lookin’ mean in those shots! Nice!!
Very cool dudes, in a set of photos with the PROs. Who was the kid? You letting him sit off the front before shutting him down? Dude is ditching school to ride the pave!
I love how some guys are bundled up like it’s Baltic & others just have on knee warmers & a gilet.
I also DO NOT understand why some dudes ride bear handed in cold weather or off road/on crazy pave. Who wants freezing hands? Or, who wants to hold your fucking bars during P-R with hands scraped during a training ride crash? I have a friend who does it. “I just can’t stand gloves.” You aren’t doing surgery! You’re pushing a damn shift paddle 4 cms left. Oh well, I guess this is personal preference, but I don’t get it.
Didn’t realize there was a Norwegian rider on Katusha. Anyone know what model Carrera helmets they’re using? I’m guessing the Radius, but could they be the Razor.
So cool that a photographer mistook Frank and Marko (I hope I’ve got this right) for Pros, it can mean only one thing.
1 They both look Pro/fantastic.
Although it could mean that the photographer recognised the revered kit and had to get a shot for his collection.
Next weekend I’m hoping to get a photo of me and Obree making the sign of Merckx at the Scottish Bike Show.
@Ron
In a local Coffee Bean I was asked by the Barista “How far have you ridden?” I said “oh about 50 miles” at which point the wide eyed Barista exclaimed “are you a professional? ” which obviously brought a hoot a of laughter from me and I said ” Do I look like a professional?” he looked at me and a bit taken aback he says “I have no idea”. I’m 5ft 9 and about 190lbs so I think you all can figure that one out.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Ballan
3. Pazzato
4. Devolder
5. Goss
@Ron
Uncovered it at pro-bikegear.com. Caught my attention on EQUIPE CYCLISTE FDJ-BIGMAT team bikes. And George on nature — perhaps is the Hincapie Sportswear team out training. Nonetheless!
And definitely looking forward to the camera footage! I remember not so long ago I thought the video of guys racing through NYC was pretty cool. Came across it again the other week and just thought the dudes were foolishly reckless. But footage from riding the pave? Bring it on!
Funny how time changes things.
@Ron
Went gloveless the other week for the first time and got a blister! BTW my hands are pretty tough working on carpentry/joinery for a living. It was nice though, I’ll do it again next time the weather permits.
@Ron
V (Vibe) frontcap design reduces stress on bolts and handlebar — that is cool and innovative.
VSP PICKS:
1. Galloping Man
2. Eisel
3. Ballesandro
4. Flecha
5. Potato Tomato
Still going for the Dutchies, Tjallingii was looking good in Flanders and has been on the podium before and Terpstra already won DDV.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Pozzato
3. Ballan
4. Terpstra
5. Tjallingii
Pozzato: Pain is for those that stay behind. The real riders feel no pain. The day after Roubaix? I feel nothing.
@Sauterelle
same here
VSP PICKS:
1. She’s Legal In Amsterdam
2. Ballan
3. Pozzato
4. Thor
5. Flecha
Bennati (photo) on Paris-Roubaix recon (Cobbled Classics)