Categories: Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Ronde van Vlaanderen 2012

The Keepers and Rigid rolled into a region in France called Flandres which, without doing any further research into the matter, we assume is the coloquial French term for this region of the world. If its anything like the other regions in Europe, these places have roots that extend way past any modern country’s border and situate themselves in a history long past.

They do, however, speak French with all the stubbornness that we have come to love from the French. None of us in the group speak French very well, and no one we’ve found in Lille speaks English very well. Which means we’re all communicating with arms and legs more so than with words. We’re on our way to Kemmel, which means we’ll be able to speak a bit of Flemish again.

With Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 about to begin in earnest, we’re busy organizing ourselves and making final preparations, so we’ll have to forgo the usual insightful, hard-hitting, race insight we usually produce for the VSPs. What’s that you say? We’re usually full of shit? Ah, right. You’ll have to forgive us the usual shit, then, and take today’s flavor.

Watch the countdown timer, get your VSP picks in by Sunday morning at 5am Pacific. Winner of this VSP event will earn the right to comment all year with the Leeuw van Vlaanderen 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.

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

mouse says:

Apr 1 2012 at 8:18 pm

@minion
+++++++1
Mason says:

Apr 1 2012 at 9:42 pm

Oh man, what a race. I was racing myself this weekend, got home, and sat down for dinner and de Ronde. Stayed the hell off the internet so I didn't accidentally see who won. Then I cruised over here 'cause I knew I picked up some points. What a way to cap off an awesome weekend of La Vie Velominatus!
frank says:

Apr 1 2012 at 9:44 pm

@The Oracle
BTW, Oracle, my laptop battery died before I could do it yesterday, but you go yourself the +1 badge for posting grabs of the V-Banner flying during the race. Spot on.
frank says:

Apr 1 2012 at 10:37 pm

Brett, RIGID, and me rollin' Casually Deliberate in the garden at the race, having our first batch of Belgian Frittes.

Boonen and Pozato on the Kwaremont.

Same shot, zoomed in. Big ring, riding in the drops. That's how I ride the flats. This is not, however, flat. This is one of the most well-known climbs in Vlaanderen.
Mikael Liddy says:

Apr 1 2012 at 10:55 pm

@frank Starting to get an impression that @Rigid is one stylish mofo based on the pics so far...
paolo says:

Apr 1 2012 at 11:12 pm

Look at the frigin' muscle definition on Boonen..arms and legs. I was really happy for him yesterday. I don't know if y'all saw it but after the race when he sat down he had this look of childish delight and wonderment. Actually he was bemused I thought. It was really awesome like he couldn't believe it. So nice to see that he's not jaded and cynical like so many sports stars.
il ciclista medio says:

Apr 1 2012 at 11:55 pm

@Mikael Liddy
and possiblythe angle but looks like someone who is taller than frank!
minion says:

Apr 2 2012 at 1:17 am

@frank

Brett, RIGID, and me rollin' Casually Deliberate in the garden at the race, having our first batch of Belgian Frittes.

Boonen and Pozato on the Kwaremont.

Same shot, zoomed in. Big ring, riding in the drops. That's how I ride the flats. This is not, however, flat. This is one of the most well-known climbs in Vlaanderen.

Too good looking fo sure. Looks chilly! Hope it rains on the pack of you ahead of Roubaix.
Tubular Swells says:

Apr 2 2012 at 5:23 am

I was in the bar that is behind those Primus signs at the top of the photo just above Pippo's helmet. (So for those who were on Oude Kwaremont, opposite the Lanbouwkrediet guy who stopped on the second ascent with his seat post broken.) Had prime TV viewing position, people bringing me beer (albeit requiring me to hand over Euros) and it was a short amble out to cheer them as they went past followed by a mad dash back inside to resume best seats in the house. Awesome day out. Always blown away by how thin even the "big" boys like Boony are. Rode the sportive on Saturday (in a respectable time), Seven performed flawlessly. Saw a couple of the 'Nati out enjoying themselves. Whilst on sportive saw Pippo and two teamates plus team car out training - had just come over Oude Kwaremont and turned left down the N36 (Ronsebaan) and they went past.
The Oracle says:

Apr 2 2012 at 6:18 am

@frank

I shall wear it humbly and with pride.

Great cycling weekend. A brutal and terrific RVV, lots of km's for myself, the thrill of seeing the Velominati flag on the Oude Kwaremont, and now the +1 jersey!

I attribute it all to the fact that I wrapped my bars in white tape last Thursday.