Ok, ok, settle down now people. Take your seats please. You’re all a little bit on edge, like some cycling Gamblers Anonymous group that’s been let out for the weekend with a pocket full of bills and the name of the nearest bookie. But in your excitement, you managed to crash our server, delaying the fix you so desperately crave.
But wait no more. You’ve warmed up on the gateway races, now it’s time for the hard stuff, as grimy, rough and unadulterated as the roads of Flanders themselves.
You see, there’s this bloke I know who knows a bloke, hangs around the Velominati bike sheds, seems to know a bit about the racing game. Reckons he’s got a sure bet for the weekend. A cert. A dead-set shoo-in. Number 1 in Race 3 of the VSP at Flanders. Fella reckons you could put your left one on it. Absolutely Faboolous or something he’s called. He’s got form (and, judging by the way he shelled the nags on last week’s card, possibly a motor). But word is there could be a late plunge on the other fella, Boom Boom Boy, so maybe a bob each way might be the way to go. I’d watch out for those not-so-roughies though, the likes of Gilbert, Devolder, Ballan and Thor will be waiting to pick up any leftover chaff and could steal away the win, leaving you as frustrated as a one-legged man at an ass-kicking contest.
So what’s it gonna be then? Take the sure thing, or the other sure thing, or throw a dart at the board and hope it sticks? It’s time to study the form guide, search the dark recesses of your soul, throw out any logic, and pencil in your picks on the ticket provided at the bottom of the comments. Whether you’re canny, savvy or just plain tinny, the coveted Obey The Rules bumper sticker is waiting. Is your bumper worthy?
The only thing for certain is that bicycle racing will be the winner on the day.
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View Comments
Don't worry, got it... God of Thunder!
VSP PICKS:
1. Flecha
2. Cancellara
3. Sagan
4. Haussler
5. Gilbert
@Nathan Edwards
Yes you are taking a gamble. Tomeke barely won that sprint last week, he will have nobody leading his ass out this week.
@Netraam
Rob didn't get that green jersey by not making the bold choices. Yes, 4th and 5th, it will be awesome.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Chavanel
3. Gilbert
4. Boonen
5. Van Summeren
VSP PICKS:
1. Stijnlager
2. Boonen
3. Giblets
4. Motorcus
5. Heiny
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boonen
3. Gilbert
4. Haussler
5. Hushovd
@all
@G'rilla and I suffered like pigs on the route, but we mapped out a great bit. We've got something like 5 or 6 significant climbs with something like 15 sectors of the roughest cobbles on the steepest hills that Seattle has to offer. (Some climbs have 2 or 3 sectors of cobbles, separated by a short section of pavement in case you're wondering about the math.)
Route recon done, sufferfest ready and loaded. Hope to see you there - remember: SpeedyReedy at 10am sharp. Here's the route.
The only problem with the recon is that now we have to do it again tomorrow. Good thing I've got a fridge full of EPO and a steak full of clenbuterol.
I'm going with my gut here...I really think the Bonedoggle ("Boonen" is pronounced "Bone-en" in Flemmish) has the drive this year...sure, he's no match against the Faboo-lous Cancellara, but he's not going to figure in every race every time...thank Merckx bike races are more complicated than that. I'm betting Flecha and Hoste are there as well, and it's going to be a fucking bloodbath: 5 animals in a gallop to the finish.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Flecha
3. HIncapie
4. Faboo
5. Hoste
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Sagan
3. Boonen
4. Hushovd
5. Devolder
OK...based on the premise that it will be a five-up sprint, I suppose I should put Flecha in 5th, but...