Velominati Super Prestige: Ronde van Vlaanderen
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.
Ciao Marko!
It was just one of the sponsors of the race, a bit weird though…
A word on Pippo.
Pozzato has a lot talent, but to me he lacks something,
something that drive us to speak about his hair or his sunglasses instead of his win.
Cmon Garmin the curse of the rainbow jersey has been broken thanks to Cuddles/Good Cadelephant. How awesome would it be to see Thor podium? Seems they need to sort out their blended family of teams somewhat.
Every time I comment on here I’m going to have my picks listed, @frank sort it out.
@Buck_Rogers
Easy on there dude, less of the hate. JV said he didn’t have the riders to pull & if you consider he only had two and BMC had seven…anyway, I asked him what happened to the rest of the team: mistakes, unlucky or just not have it. The reply was the latter. Whatever you might think of JV’s motives re: radios and the future of the sport, he is nothing but honest if you ask him a question.
You might also want to consider Wilf Peeters suggestion that Cancellara was “too strong”
Boonen was unlucky to get his line cut by EBH as he was trying to close Cancellara down after the Leberg. Nuyens, Boonen and Cancellara were all lucky that Chavanel didn’t ride with Cancellara, because as it turns out, Cancellara wouldn’t have dropped him and would have lost the sprint.
Boonen lost the race by missing Cancellara’s final move, no blame on Chavanel, he read it, he just picked the wrong wheel in the sprint.
@Pedale.Forchetta
is that pozzato’s bike he’s leaning on – may explain his dnf at RvV
@frank
seems you sorted it…
..oh and one more thing.
10. G. Thomas (Team Sky)
Can I just say: Told you so.
I expect as good, if not better next weekend. He did far too much work for a protected rider and was arguably better than Flecha today.
@Jarvis
Shh! I’ve already got Thomas penciled in as a top-five finisher for next year.
But, yes: strange race that so many of the deputies were stronger than their charges. It must be a tough call for the director: when do you drop your protected rider for the guy with the legs? Of course, in theory, that was what made Garmin-Cervelo such a compelling outfit, and that hasn’t worked out so well.
@Marko
My mouth is already watering at the prospect of a sprint finish in the velodrome (this time Bauer will win!), but do you honestly not see Spartacus making up for this weekend’s disappointment by crushing all comers?
@tony macaroni
Good one Tony!
@Steampunk
Spartacus was looking ropey long before they hit the Kapelmuur. I couldn’t work out how Kelly’s commentator mate could tell us Chav was more cooked when it was Fab’s head that kept dropping. I tend to buy the cramp / dehydration story, and expect to see him feature big time at P-R. The teams who thought ‘So THAT’S how you do it – just wheel suck him until he breaks’ must have got a hell of a shock when he came back from the dead to feature so strongly at the finale. Am thinking he should be renamed Lazarus after that.
As for Garmvelo: far be it from me to have anything to add to whether or not JV’s call to sit in was pusillanimous or realistic or both. But it was certainly a disappointing showing. Really hope they get it together for P-R.
@Jarvis
Sorted out your picks mate, sorry I couldn’t work out your monikers!
WOW! That was awesome! Like G’phant, I’m operating on less than 5 hours sleep, and only 4 on Friday night after the Great VSP Server Meltdown. But amm I complaining? HELL NO!
Best race I’ve seen for a long time, better than watching one guy solo for 40km. Would’ve loved to see Chav take it, he was suffering just to suck Fab’s wherel there for a while, and to go again at the end, both of them, just awesome. Boonen needs to use his head a bit more.
Ride of the Day though, Schierlinckx! I loved it when the commentator spotted him and said “who the hell is that guy?”
If only photos were finish lines…
That was great fun. How did the Seattle version turn out?
@G’phant
Oh yeah, Thor will be there next week. He has built his entire year around that race. I think he will be there designated protected rider and a force to be reckoned with. As for JV, guy’s a twat in my opinion. Just saying! :)
“There” should read “their” in my above post. One of my pet-peeves and there I go and do it myself!
OK, Chavanel, not Boonen. I blame it on sleepless week.
@G’phant
I salute you, sir, for the use of the word “pusillanimous”.
@xyxax
That’s a great pic, isn’t it? I don’t remember where I saw it, but the kid who’s threatening to eat Spartacus has been in the same spot for the past umpteen years. Flick back through old shots of the Muur.
@Steampunk
EXACTLY! At first I did not believe that it was a pic from this year as it is SOOOOO similar to other pics that I have seen on that same spot. That kid has definitely learned where to stand for the race!
@Buck Rogers
Of course, the expression never changes, so maybe’s he just a garden gnome…
@Steampunk
Now THAT made me laugh, which is difficult as I just finished a solid hard ride and my lungs are feeling it!
I agree. GREAT word. I have never heard of it before and had to look it up. Definitely one to try to remember (although I probably won’t!)
The old lady behind Faboo’s helmet is pure class.
@Steampunk
I think Faboo would like to ride away at Roubaix next week, I just don’t know he’ll be able too. If we could ask him, I bet he’d say this year’s Ronde took more out of him than last’s. Could be a week past his peak. It is a flat race though which could help. I’d say really good chance of a sprint in the ‘drome. If Tommeke is in the selection he becomes the next RDV. Everyone will be talking Thor but I’m not seeing it, as much as it hurts, I’m not seeing it.
Any native Italian speakers? I’m curious what Ballan’s “tiger meat” note is all about, I’m sure there’s some ‘eye of the tiger’ type meaning that I’m missing not being a native speaker.
Ballan’s notes to himself.
@Troy
He was channeling Charlie Sheen – hoping for a bit of “Winning”?
All she needs is a cigarette hanging off her lip to make it absolutely perfect.
@Steampunk
Too funny. What do you think he does the other 364 days?
@Buck Rogers
Isn’t it the clinical term for “twat-like”?
What an outstanding race all around, buckets of V dumped on the bergs today!!! I wanted Fabian to win coming in and even moreso after the way he rode today but what an outstanding performance by Sylvain as well, I think I was actually a bit more heartbroken that it was Nuyens who took the edge at the line instead of the Frenchman. Gilbert’s attack late was a valiant attempt but Boonen and Sagan, hell Liquigas as a whole and much moreso, were disappointing. Liqui was nowhere to be found all day and I really thought Boonen was about to pull something specail when he attacked at 49k or so but he seemed to fade hard after that before his final charge toward the finish. I think he made a tactical mistake going so early and Fabian made an equal mistake in going with him and then away when did… Easy to say from the sofa though! Great race!
@Steampunk
‘Fraid so. The fact that they were the only team with a plan makes it worse; they got the two worst places you can get: Second is the first loser and in this kind of situation means there is no reason not to win other than poor decision making when it counts; Fourth is the worst place of all as it’s just off the podium.
You race to win, nothing else has any real meaning. They did show a great plan for the most part, but they broke down under pressure, and Boonen – who broke my heart and who knows this finish better than anyone – left it too late. He was coming up quickly and could have done it if he’d (a) gone with the move and (b) bridged up sooner. Boonen was very strong, albeit weaker on the bergs, but generally showed a lack of focus and was rather inattentive.
Lessons to learn for next week; I’d love to see him join our man de Vlaeminck.
Once I figure out what order to say the letters, I’ll get around to looking up the meaning. Fuckers.
@all
Gotta say, the Flemish commentators put everyone else to shame. It’s unreal. First of all, they seem more objective than everyone else; you listen to American commentators, Aussies, French, Germans…all they talk about is their own riders who are usually shit in the first place and don’t have a chance. The Flemish talk about everyone equally. Very educational.
But their knowledge of the course is something I’ve never seen before – not just Flanders, but the other Belgian races I’m watching that @G’Phant sent me; the know everything down to where the potholes are. Today was amazing, they were coming up to a chicane and the guy goes, “OK, now you need to be on the left, not the right, because if you’re on the right there’s a pothole and you either have to go around it or jump it, and you’ll lose a wheel. And he was right. You see the guys on the right have trouble.
Incredible. I charge you all with leaning Flemish, or cheat like I do and just learn Dutch. Flemish is almost the same except they use some French words now and again. Just kind of a sloppy Dutch with a really over-emphasized rolled “r”. Must be why the Dutch hate Belgians.
@Marko
Your ability to pick shit out of pictures is second-to-none. Chapeau.
Lanterne Rouge on both list what a great start for the season.
Wow! That was up there with last year’s world champs as one of the most open races I’ve witnessed. I was literally on the edge of the seat!
I’m looking forward to hearing from Faboo about being caught (esp the speed with which he was reeled in!)… cramp? dehydration? He certainly couldn’t get enough water into himself in the kms leading up to the catch. As everyone else has said, Roubaix is going to be very interesting indeed.
Sitting at work with 4 hours sleep under my belt and smiling! God I love Euro spring!
@frank
Glad the DVDs arrived and are comprehensible, notwithstanding being in Flemmish not the previously-advertised Dutch. (Apologies for not knowing how to distinguish the two. It’s like Swedish and Norwegian. Only muddier.)
I presume he sits there in a lawn chair in order to save his prime spot for next year.
@frank
I understand, but I’m not sure I agree. Chavanel got up the road and did everything that was asked of him. In hindsight, it’s also pretty likely that he sacrificed his own victory by staying loyal to Boonen, who did slip up. But both men were very active all day. Chavanel was the story of the day, in my opinion. A very gutsy ride and terrific performance that deserved more than second place.
Awesome comments! The race took on a new dimension after reading all these comments.
So what about Chavanel getting edged out twice as they closed on the line. Just racing? Did he get screwed?
And it seems like Nik did some wheelsucking. Would take his turn at the front but had a sprint in him?
Agreed frank. While it’s fantastic for a rider to make the podium and we shouldn’t take anything away from those that do, to be so close and yet so far, heartbreaking.
Uncle Phil’s take on coming second twice in this race –
‘One hundred second places isn’t worth one win,” Anderson says today. ”Surviving the battles of the Ronde and to be so close to victory, but then see it slip out from under you scars a rider for life.
Amazing race and well worth the lack of sleep
Best Ride of the Day: Chavanel (his pain face looks like Sigourney Weaver and/or an Alien)
Best Ride by someone who didn’t factor: Geraint Thomas
Saddest Moment (for me): Watching Faboo not drop Chav. I knew something was up. Drinkies? NOOOOO. Bad news.
Saddest Moment (for us all): The two American teams who had the guns did squat.
PS – where the HELL was Heino today? I saw more Zanahorias de Sangre that Barbie!
@ Marko
I officially know I know too much about professional cycling.
I read “RDV” and for a second tried to sound out the acronym in my head. Then I said, in my head, “Oh fuck, I know what Marko is talking about!”
Marko – Roger!
@ Frank – I like an education on cycling, which is just one of the reasons I’m a Follower.
I listened on Euro Sport today, but I have no problem watching races in Flemish. I can tell what is going on by watching, and by hearing the commentators voices spike when fireworks go off.
And, it is wild to think that what Boonen lacked today was – focus. Not form. Not talent. Not legs. But, focus…
Incredible.
@frank
I reckon there is no Flemish translation of “sitting in,” and that’s why Garmin was no where to be seen. You can’t win, and you won’t even show up, in Flanders, without you taking the initiative.
@frank
Even not knowing the language, the Flemish announcer counting down the seconds as the gap closed below 20s as they entered the Muur was pretty exciting.
What does anyone make of Chavanel giving Cancellara a little slingshot 2km before the end?
Looking at the last kms again, it does seem Chavanel would rather quickly downshift if he found himself in the front and waited for Boonen until the last possible moment.
I’ve put a shitload of commitment behind the GarVelo squad (one or more of their riders in each VSP race this season) and I’ve received no return on my investments. Haussler isn’t on form yet. Thor is a marked man. Farrar might have the goods, but I don’t see it yet.
Watch me leave all of them out of next week’s picks and the fuckers sweep the podium. Grrrrr.
@Steampunk
Agreed 100%. He was the strongest rider of the race. Just not on the smartest team.
@Ron
Nothing was filed and technically I think it was by the book, but yeah – Nuyens definitely deviated from his line and impeded Chav. Was is worth regulating? Probably not, it seemed pretty much like he was just sprinting and moved and that shit happens. It’s hard to go straight when you’re going cross-eyed with effort. But, I agree – Chav was going faster and like @Steampunk points out – really was the man of the day.
Still, per team tactics, with how fresh Chav was and how strong Tomeke still appeared, there was some seriously flawed logic in the car.
Re: JV
The move to not let his riders work makes sense from a tactical standpoint, but not from a “winning” stand point – or, as we phrase it here, from the V view. Sure, it might not make sense to work when you’re outnumbered, but you’re just guaranteeing that you’ll lose. I love riding for the joy of riding a bike, but racing is about two things and two things only: first: good sportsmanship and fair play, and second: winning.
The rest is ancillary.
@Nate
I pray to Merckx that JV reads that. It’s not that his decision was that bad – it was just lacking vision and resigned to losing. That’s all. And I was to see those boys win. Matty White made the same mistake at Le Tour last year on Stage 2. You have to fight, fight, fight. End of.
Ha! One of the great expressions is that a climb will “hit you on the hips”. Such a great description of what a steep climb feels like. Love it. The other great expression is, “eternally a tooth less” meaning, whenever you feel yourself get comfortable, you drop it into a smaller cog and lay down some more V. These Belgians know about bike racing.
Gold! Best. Assessment. Ever.!
Wow, what a race! And second place in the super prestige too! I was wrong with the winner but can’t complain, the race was wide open when cancellara was cuaght on the muur, would have loved for gilbert’s attack to have stuck, what a racer!
good stuff.
@frank
We’re starting to beat a dead horse (which is one of my real strengths), but who were the smarter teams? Credit Nuyens, naturally, for finding a way to win, but was that a Riis master plan or did Nuyens just have the wherewithal to be in the right place at the right time? If Cancellara was cramping from lack of food and dehydration, then surely that’s a team fault, no? Quick Step was a good several steps up on Garmin-Cervelo. BMC had good numbers toward the end, but did even less with them. I can appreciate that second and fourth would be a bit disappointing, but bad/not smart strategy or just a bit of bad luck? The lone error I can see is that Boonen was strong, then weak, then strong, which made it difficult to ascertain whether or not he could actually go for the win. But is that a team error?
And after seeing this race unfold and some seemingly poor efforts from some riders/teams we thought would do well, how hard is PR going to be to pick next weekend!
@anotherdownunder
This is what my mind will be consumed with most of the week.
Maybe, just maybe, if BMC can keep their poop in a group long enough and lady luck shows up, it’ll be Georgie’s year at P-R. To Merckx I pray.
@Steampunk
That’s a good point – who’s fault is that? In a well-drilled team, Boonen should have told them he was not strong enough and made a clear decision and let Chav go – or say, I have the legs, so drop the fuck back and help me bridge up. Boonen’s fault or the Teams, one of them should have been clear in their decision and moved forward to win – because they could have won with either one of them had they stayed disciplined to the end.
Ultimately, I see it as a team mistake; you either bet the farm on one guy and do it all for that rider, or you let the guy who’s best-positioned in the race get the support and let him focus on what’s important – winning – rather than looking around to see if his leader is coming up or not.
When you try to have the best of both worlds, you end up with 2nd and 4th.