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.

View Comments

  • @Alex

    Your pick we're close to what I was going to put in.

    1st for Voeckler, 5th for Moser and Gerro in between.

    Watching in Melbourne. Still recovering after women's race. Only made it to the start of the 4th lap. Matchsticks holding up eyelids for the men's!

  • @Alex

    Your pick we're close to what I was going to put in.

    1st for Voeckler, 5th for Moser and Gerro in between.

    Watching in Melbourne. Still recovering after women's race. Only made it to the start of the 4th lap. Matchsticks holding up eyelids for the men's!

  • It was just iPhone update faff - a reset sorted it out.

    @San Tonio, Blah, G'phant , Xyxax

    Of course it's tactics time - why'd you think I've gone for Purito when you've all pick Phast Phil? I've got to get some points back somehow! 

    It won't work of course...

  • @San Tonio

    Crazy week and weekend. A week on camp with kids then my wife admitted to hospital (nothing too serious). Last two races I've posted picks in the last 90 minutes.

    Here's hoping!

  • Tommy V and Cuntador in a reak.  Still a bit early but it is a large.  Could be interesting?

  • Hey Buck, should be a good finish, I'm thinking the peloton will get close enough to send up some of the strong boys in the back all rested...

  • @G'phant

    @San Tonio

    @Blah
    @G'phant
    @xyxax
    I've been waiting for yall to join this party.

    Hah! Getting to the tactical betting end of the season, then, are we?!

    I wasn't going to make any picks til I saw your moves and I was refreshing this page about every 20 minutes last night.

  • @Rob

    Hey Buck, should be a good finish, I'm thinking the peloton will get close enough to send up some of the strong boys in the back all rested...

    ohhhh, big crash according to e live ticker!  Who's still in it???

  • Ahhh, man, time to go to church!  The VMH is dragging me off!  Go Tommeke, Sagan and Phil Gil!!!

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