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.
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The new *Speedplay Approved* sole
@wiscot Boonen shoes
Closer look at Boonen's shoes
@Ron
Boonen is the current Belgian national champ, hence the helmet.
Indeed shoes and saddles are the most expensive propositions when it comes to fitting. At least with saddles, you can demo some of them. I had numb toes in my Northwaves until I added once of those As Seen on Tv Walkfit plastic arch supports (it was the only option as any replacement insole took up too much volume inside the shoe) Bonts were the absolute stiffest shoe I've ever felt - and that was with the low end fiberglass sole. For me, however, they were too low volume to work.
@unversio
Thanks! But I don't think those were the ones he wore on Sunday. It looks like the ones he used were just straps and without "adjuster knobs" on them. (there are virtually no "lumps" under those overshoes) Also, in P-R he was using an almost all-white unmarked shoe. Maybe an early test model from Spesh?
I agree that the silver overshoes were a bad choice sartorially.
Hopefully Phil Gil will wear black shorts next year. On the podium, the rainbow bands and black shorts looked ace.
@unversio
Damn, those look good. I love the red/yellow/black color combos of Belgium and Germany. Think he'll get a special rainbow version, now?
I'll probably need a new pair of shoes next year, but I've never had an issue with my Mavics. Like saddles, I've got no real interest in varying from what works. maybe I'll catch some Yellow Princesses on sale next year...
@wiscot I can see covering up a logo due to sponsorship duties, but SILVER? The only thing that even remotely matches are the nipples on his wheels.
@VeloVita - Yep. He'd blend right in.
@wiscot If they were not Specialized (team issue), then perhaps then maybe he wanted (was told) to *hide* his shoes with the flat-ugly covers.
@wiscot The adjuster dials are right there.
@unversio
Thanks! Nice enlargement! Or is it my new transitions lenses that prevent me from seeing such details?
One of the other Belgian riders was wearing blue overshoes and they looked much better!