Imagine a world without the little things we take for granted; a house without a roof, a pub with no beer, a Keepers Tour without any clothes. The last one is a reality for me at the moment, five days in and still no trace of where the hell between Wellington and Paris my bag (filled with V-Kit, shoes, helmet, everything) is. The other thing that has me perturbed again this trip is that there is no Muur de Grammont/Kapelmuur in the Ronde. To me, the race feels naked without it.
That won’t stop us from riding it next weekend though, and although there will be no crowds, no pros, there will still be the magical spirit of the great battles past on these hallowed stones. We’ll try and emulate The Lion and climb it in the big ring (or the 50t) while the man himself watches on, probably laughing inside, or indeed outwardly, as we succumb to the gradient and stab frantically at the left-hand shifter. Then we’ll realise just how ordinary we are and how special this hill is.
Even though the Muur is absent again this year, the 2013 Ronde is shaping up as one of the best in recent history. The battle between Faboo and Sags is well touted, but will they mark each other out of it and let an opportunist take their chance? My money’s on that scenario playing out, but if you have any sense you’ll see my VSP scores reflect a total lack of tipping nous so far this season and reject anything I predict as hogwash.
Check out the start list, grab a cold Malteni or other fine Belgian ale, slather your frites in mayo and keep your eye out for the V-Flag on the Oude Kwaremont this Sunday. Goed geluk!
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Want get this in to insure I don't Delgado myself as I have a busy weekend ahead, but I expect I will swap first and second more than a few times before all is said and done.
VSP PICKS:
1. The Motor
2. Papa Wheelie
3. Gerain't gonna win this time.
4. Sylvain Sylvain
5. My name is Luca
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Sagan
3. Boonen
4. Chavanel
5. Stannard
The hottest thing on two wheels, the new Mr First Loser, the Wildcard, the World Champ, and the boy from home.
VSP PICKS:
1. Peter Sagan
2. Fabian Cancellara
3. Oscar Gatto
4. Philippe Gilbert
5. Jack Bauer
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Sagan
3. Chavanel
4. Boonen
5. Gilbert
VSP PICKS:
1. Thomas
2. Stybar
3. Fabbo
4. Hausller
5. Stannard
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Chavanel
3. Boonen
4. Cancellara
5. Stannard
Stannard drives a disintegrating break but can't hold off Chavanel in the finale, Boonen and Dowsett hold off a charging peloton and Sagan out sprints the rest of the losers.
VSP PICKS:
1. Chavanel
2. Stannard
3. Boonen
4. Dowsett
5. Sagan
@Buck Rogers
The word around Vlaanderen is not for RVV, but he'll be peaking for Roubaix. The man is an animal, but I fear his head is full of doubts and when you're doubting yourself, you'll wind up doing a lot of thinking, and lets face - that does no one any good.
@El Segundo
ARSE! I didn't realise this pick was submitted, wanted Cancellara then Sagan.
What do you mean closed? Nothing last night, closed this morning?!