Velominati Super Prestige: Mens World Championship Road Race 2012

Camenzind barely had the energy to celebrate in ’98. Photo: Bettini Photo

I’m quite upset about it, actually, all this racing that’s been going on in perfectly good weather. Vlaanderen, dry. Roubaix, dry. We were nearly guaranteed shit weather with the Olympics in London, but even then, only the women got to get all Rule #9 on our asses – and only for one race. Damnit, I want Epic, and if we keep insisting on riders getting off the juice, all the Epic is going to have to come from other places like pouring rain and freezing cold.

Its a good thing, then, that Valkenburg was picked for the Worlds, because that almost guarantees bad weather. Last time it hosted the race the weather was complete crap. Its also just hilly enough that I think any of those sprinters who are pretending like they’re going to finish at the front are huffing too much DuMonde Tech. Boonen might be able to hang with the leaders into the finish, but I’d hardly call him a sprinter anymore, now that it dawned on him that people get hurt and seasons ruined in those big bunch gallops.

My money’s on good weather though, because the weather is forecast to be good here in Seattle and assuming it will be the same halfway around the world in Dutchland seems easier than looking up the local forecast.

You know the drill, picks close at 5am on Sunday in Pacific time, and if you can’t figure out what that means, just put your picks in before the countdown timer goes to zero. Also note that the spam filter is feeling a bit peckish these days and has a tendency to gobble up people’s VSP Picks; don’t be alarmed, your picks are getting into the system nevertheless and The Keepers are monitoring the queue for posts to approve everyone to disagree with.

Good luck.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Bianchi Denti says:

Sep 19 2012 at 1:58 pm

@VeloVita

I'm really interested to see how this one pans out. I think everyone is going to be marking the Belgians, however, they do have a two-pronged attack with Boonen and Gilbert as co-leaders so they may be able to overcome that to some extent. I have a feeling that Gilbert is the stronger rider right now for this type of course, but my sentimental favourite is definitely Tommeke.

Don't forget GvA, who has had some great results in the past month. He may be the secret Belgian weapon.
Erik says:

Sep 19 2012 at 2:09 pm

So, after cruising the startlist and NARROWING down my picks, I still come up with:

Gerrans, Haussler, Boonen, Gilbert, Contador, Valverde, Voekler, Frome, Nibali, Boom, and Sagan.

What to do? What to do? Contador breaks away. It could happen. And if I'm right, I'm a genius.

Everyone else in a small bunch. But I really want Boonen or Gilbert to wear the stripes.

VSP PICKS:

1. Contador
2. Sagan
3. Valverde
4. Nibali
5. Gilbert
batchuba says:

Sep 19 2012 at 2:15 pm

@Trobs

I was going to pick Tiernan-Locke, in an attempt to look clever if he won. But now that he has won the GB Tour, I have abandoned the idea - judging that my subsequent delusions of genius would no longer justify the risk.

T'is a good call though - he's built for this kind of profile. The only problem is that he has been suspiciously calamity free for a while now. So one can only assume that, should victory be within his grasp, he will be suddenly set upon and savaged by a rabid gnu. Which will be a shame.
Mikael Liddy says:

Sep 19 2012 at 3:59 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Phil Gil
2. Sagan
3. Gerro
4. Valverde
5. His Nibs
Duende says:

Sep 19 2012 at 4:04 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Boonen
2. Nibali
3. Boom
4. Boasson Hagen
5. Uran
Jamin says:

Sep 19 2012 at 4:08 pm

Want Gerro to do it but I can't look past Sagan (neither can the ladies).

Valverde will nip Gerro at the post as usual.

Phil Gil will blow. Nibbles will be there for the Azzuri

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Valverde
3. Gerro
4. Gilbert
5. Nibali
graham d.m. says:

Sep 19 2012 at 4:40 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
graham d.m. says:

Sep 19 2012 at 4:41 pm

Not sure what happened above. Try again.

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Gerrans
4. Boonen
5. Contador
sthilzy says:

Sep 19 2012 at 4:53 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Sagan
3. Gerrans
4. Valverde
5. Boasson Hagen
CanuckChuck says:

Sep 19 2012 at 5:20 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Giblets
2. Sagan
3. Valverde
4. Gerrans
5. Nibbles