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.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
I guess I'm dense or something. Did I get two points because I had Boonen in the top five and he finished in the top five (though not the spot I put him in)?
@Cyclops
Not as dense as me for leaving Bone-doggle out (I like it, Frank!). But you also had Spartacus, no? That makes two in the wrong spots = 2 points?
The other thing I don't get is: didn't it look like Boonen initiated the move that sent Cancellara up the road on his own to what seemed like the inevitable at the time? Why was Boonen intent on trying to shed the bigger group in order to isolate Cancellara? That didn't make much sense to me. It didn't seem obvious that the four-man group up the road was in trouble (although it did quickly evaporate shortly thereafter).
@Steampunk
There'll be some interesting (read PISSED OFF) converstaions in the Quick-Step hotel tonight. 2nd and 4th will NOT please the team management at all! I would love to hear what Chav and Boonen have to say. In Chav's defense, Tomeke should have been there and did not have it on the bergs but if he could have got up to that trio, the win was a gievn for him. did you see how he closed after coming off of Ballan's wheel. Man, he still had a sprint in his legs.
@Steampunk
Always thought JV was a bit of a nancy, today only confirmed it. What a piece of shit. I do not know why he argues so hard for radios, his team would do better if he shut the fuck up! :)
Chavanel, what a wheelsucker!
Agree. but what else could he do?
You are right, this is the limit of professional racing.
When you are not the captain you can't choose to ride properly.
At the end of the day he was not so weak,
so F mark at the quickstep team car.
Are we seriously criticizing Quick Step for finishing second and fourth? Especially since they seemed to be the only team with a plan to counter Cancellara? And on the one hand we're upset that Chavanel pulled in the last 3km and now we're complaining that he didn't pull the whole way? Captain or no, Chavanel was under no obligation to tow Cancellara to the line. If Boonen had the legs to close that well at the end, he shouldn't have missed the split went Nuyens went in the first place. Ballan was cooked. So was Gilbert. Boonen must have fancied himself in a group sprint, but failed to read the group: no one was going to let him get into a sprint.
@Pedale.Forchetta
I cannot wait to hear the riders comments when they are published. Esp Cancellara's and Boonen's. Such a great race and it will be interesting to hear what everyone says that was actually in the race.