Velominati Super Prestige: VVomens World Championship Road Race 2015
What can be said about the worlds that hasn’t been said here already? We’re all abuzz over here in America, laying in wait for the biggest event we’ll ever host on our crap, frost-heaved and pot-holed roads. The route itself appears to be very well laid out but apparently the road surface is so bad that it is causing bad crashes. Yay America! In France, I’ve seen them re-pave entire mountain passes when the Tour comes through. That’s how you do it, folks.
When it comes to organizing world-class events, we apparently have a bit to learn as we’re also still tugging at the threads of a national Grand Tour. Is that a joke? If we had 21 stages here, there would be 21 transfers, which makes me glad Bernard Hinault isn’t racing anymore because he would be beating the crap out of a lot of people for that one. Maybe he still will.
Most disgracefully, we’ve also proved that we suck at designing kit, as Gianni already covered for us. Come on, what are we, the B-Squad?
Nevertheless, I’m excited about the prospect of watching the race during daylight hours, and can’t wait to be disappointed by US Live coverage, which I assume will be non-existent. But don’t let that stop you putting in your picks for the ladies Road Race on Saturday; Vos has written the season off, so the race will be fairly open. My money is my girl Lizzie Armistead, which sadly jinxes her from having a chance. Sorry Lizzie. On the off chance that I am wrong, however, and you do win, could you please race in black shorts next year? Thanks.
Meditate on the start list, conclude that it is a crap shoot, and get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero, and good luck!
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Will be watching this race live!
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Shelley Olds
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Anna van der Breggen
Lizzie Armitstead
Emma Johannson
@Idahoan
sorry re: spelling of Armistead!
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Two days?! Too much time to over-think the race and change picks. Hard to bet against Armistead and she’s due after last year. Want to see Ferrand-Prevot do well, but D’Hoore is in good form. Lot’s of time to wake up in a cold sweat and swap in Evelyn Stevens. In any event, here’s a placeholder.
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Anna Van Der Breggen
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Elisa Longo-Borghini
Elizabeth Armitstead
Evelyn Stevens
Also, of not was the “Dounle V” in the title…a classic sign of V-itis by the postman.
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That should be “Double” V….
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The world according to Paddypower says Armitstead, Ferrand-Prevot, d’Hoore, van der Breggen and Guarnier. But those bets have not served me well in the past.
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Spelling error “saddly” in the caption? Well, Vos’ male colleague Tom Dumoulin saddly only made it to 5th place in the ITT yesterday due to a saddle problem, saddly.
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Interesting picks, @KogaLover. If you’re going to go with national pride, might as well go all the way, eh? Well played. (What’s the expression again: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.” )
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Anna van der Breggen
Jolien d’Hoore
Lisa Brennauer
Ellen van Dijk
Gracie Elvin
@ErikdR
I guess the thing is that this guess has about the same probability of being right as Paddypower’s favourites. And as I said before, I do not want to win a frame that violates Rule #45, so I’d better make sure I do not win it. The only slight downside of this strategy is that I will not be possessing a frame with orange decals.
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Lizzie is the only one that I’m really sure of (as in sure of being in the top five if she doesn’t have un jour sans, miss the break or hit a pothole).
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Lizzie Armistead
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Jolien D’Hoore
Anna Van Der Breggen
Magan Guarnier
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Jolien D’Hoore
Anna Van der Breggen
Giorgia Bronzini
Emma Johannson
Elizabeth Armitstead
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Yes I know Vos isn’t on the start list. But fuck it, when did she let something like that ever stop her?
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@the Engine
Presume Paddypower is again powering the Engine?
Well, I didn’t just go all U-S-A on this one so I suppose I have a chance.
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Elizabeth Armistead
Carmen Small
Evelyn Stevens
Anna Van Der Breggen
Elisa Borghini
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I predict Lizzie will fall victim to the poor road conditions. My carbon ball has spoken.
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@The Grande Fondue
I admire the cut of your jib sir.
Usual stab in the dark. Yeah, in Europe there would be sweet, fresh asphalt. In the US? Nah, same old shitty roads. Maybe the NFL need to organize bike races here in the US. They’re really good at extorting incredible concessions from the cities that host the Super Bowl. Getting some limp-dicked local councillors to resurface some roads would be a piece of cake for Goodell and co.
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D’Hoore
Ferrand Prevot
Armistead
Brennauer
Bronzini
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@DeKerr
The only two smiles on a shitty day at the office. Thank you both.
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Elizabeth Armistead
Carmen Small
Evelyn Stevens
Anna Van Der Breggen
Elisa Borghini
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@KogaLover
Grrrrr, spelling mistakes picked up Dutch. We do suck.
It is funny to see the USA through a different, bike race, lens. Seeing a beat up farm in Northern France is somehow fine but a beat up farm in USA is somehow embarrassing.