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

sprider says:

Sep 21 2012 at 12:31 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Valverde
2. Gilbert
3. Purito Rodriguez
4. Boonen
5. Sagan
Rigid says:

Sep 21 2012 at 1:27 pm

Belgiums for the win!

VSP PICKS:

1. Tom Boonen
2. Philippe Gilbert
3. Sylvain Chavanel
4. Ballan
5. Voeckler
brett says:

Sep 21 2012 at 3:23 pm

Chav gets away on the Cauberg and solos in, Oscar picks up the scraps and wonders what could have been...

VSP PICKS:

1. Chav
2. Oscarito
3. Sagwagon
4. BossHog
5. Heiny
motor city says:

Sep 21 2012 at 3:27 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. boss hog
2. gilbert
3. boonen
4. froome
5. sagan
Nate says:

Sep 21 2012 at 3:28 pm

What % of our Straylian friends are picking Gerro FTW?

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Sagan
3. Gerrans
4. Boss Hogg
5. Nibali
mouse says:

Sep 21 2012 at 3:41 pm

Damn. What about Purito and Boonen? And Sanchez or Iglinskiy? I could easily put in an alternative top 5. This is what a World Championships parcours should look like.
Skinnyphat says:

Sep 21 2012 at 3:58 pm

The Spanish team is so strong it makes the picks very confusing. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I wish I could put down TJV but I just don't see how it's possible. I'll be happy if I'm wrong.

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Gerrans
3. J-Rod
4. Boasson-Hagen
5. Valverde
el gato says:

Sep 21 2012 at 6:17 pm

I'm traveling and not even sure I'm going to see the race. Hopefully I can recover something after such a disappointing Vuelta - so close.

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Sagan
3. Voeckler
4. Valverde
5. Boasson Hagen
Steampunk says:

Sep 21 2012 at 7:18 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. P. Gilbert
2. T. Voeckler
3. J. Rodriguez
4. E. Boassen Hagen
5. V. Nibali
King Clydesdale says:

Sep 21 2012 at 7:21 pm

Left on the brainstorm and selection sheet...

A Colombian, either Uran or Hanao makes it to the top of the Caugerg and into the major placings.

An Italian, I think Nibali is spent and Moser needs another season or two.

An American, TJ has a chance here, he finished top 10 at least. Would really like to see Phinney take a flyer 10 k out.

More or other Belgians, who knows if Boonen can make the selection, or if GVA takes an epic flyer for the win?

Voeckler, it is a rare race where I pick this man to win. Teams are to strong and the selection point to close to the finish for this man. He's french roulette as it is.

A Dutchman, because you know they will disappoint the home crowd.

A Norwegian, Canadian, Irishman, a Portuguese, a Swiss: Bossen Hagen or Nordhaug, Hesjedal, Marin, Costa, Albasini or Zaugg repectively.

Such a stacked field compared to last year.

VSP PICKS:

1. Gerrans
2. Valverde
3. Degenkolb
4. Sagan
5. Gilbert