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

unversio says:

Sep 24 2012 at 8:51 am

The new *Speedplay Approved* sole
unversio says:

Sep 24 2012 at 8:57 am

@wiscot Boonen shoes
unversio says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:00 am

Closer look at Boonen's shoes
VeloVita says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:03 am

@Ron

I like those DMTs Gilbert was wearing. I'd like to try those, and some Bonts, since with each ride of my Ergo2s I get closer to finally giving up on them & deciding numb feet/toes isn't worth it. Oh, I also got some new soccer cleats. They're Pumas and have the anatomical foot shape, much like Bonts. A bit of getting used to but after a few wearings they are awesome.

What Gruppo was Fast Phil using yesterday? Looks kind of like Dura Ace shifters but I'd thought he mainly used Campagnolo? Maybe that was before BMC...

And why was Boonen the only one in the tricolor helmet?

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.
wiscot says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:14 am

@unversio

Closer look at Boonen's shoes

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.
Tartan1749 says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:33 am

@unversio

@wiscot DMT Yes

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...
Tartan1749 says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:43 am

@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.
unversio says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:45 am

@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.
unversio says:

Sep 24 2012 at 9:52 am

@wiscot The adjuster dials are right there.
wiscot says:

Sep 24 2012 at 10:51 am

@unversio

@wiscot The adjuster dials are right there.

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!