did i miss something, why was there no vsp for the Tirreno-Adriatico which started today?

Didn’t miss a thing. It was pulled and wound up in the schedule here by accident. Over on the VSP page, the schedule is correct. Tirreno just isn’t a cool enough race and we don’t want too many concurrent VSPs running confusing the shit out of us.

@scaler911

VSP! VSP! VSP! When’s this thing gonna be up and running? Not like the Keepers have jobs or anything!

Don’t worry, you can start losing tomorrow, when the VSP goes up.

I’m sensing a site crash about 10 minutes after you put up the Het V VSP. Hopefully all eight arms will be running smoothly!

@Erik
“Jet VVildeman” from RC Jan van Arckel for the women.
Now that is a handle any cyclist could be proud of with a double dose of VV!!!

Yup, that one just about trumps the Aussie sprinter “Steele von Hoff” for best name in the peloton.

VSP! VSP! VSP! When’s this thing gonna be up and running? Not like the Keepers have jobs or anything!

Don’t worry, you can start losing tomorrow, when the VSP goes up.

“Jet VVildeman” from RC Jan van Arckel for the women.

Now that is a handle any cyclist could be proud of with a double dose of VV!!!

For the women I go with 1. Vos. 2. Vos. 3. Vos. 4. Vos. 5. Vos.

Vos starts with V.

And while the focus group was going on, eightzero and mrs/dr eightzero were cycling the big island of Hawai’i. Behold the mighty V kit after an early season (imperial) century. Yes, those are palm trees in the background. And yes, that’s a rental bike. I tried my best to keep rule breakage to a minimum.

Can’t wait to do this pose in my shop apron next fall. Suckas.

@King Clydesdale

giving them their do required

I hope your don’t mind King, but I see this now and then and I realise that it comes about because of the way the word is pronounced in the States but it should be spelled differently. I think it comes from the idea that one pays what is due or pays ones dues. As a well educated meteorologist or climatologist I’d expect it to matter to you.
In the UK we pronounce it more like d’you. We pronounce dew the same way too, like the French word adeiu.
Apologies up front if this is douchebaggery.

You are correct, I meant “due”.

I may be educated but my I’ve never been a strong English student. In fact they have editors where I work that look for those types of mistakes because when push comes to shove, the detail of spelling takes a back seat to more pressing matters. However having an editor for that stuff can make one lazy and careless.

giving them their do required

I hope your don’t mind King, but I see this now and then and I realise that it comes about because of the way the word is pronounced in the States but it should be spelled differently. I think it comes from the idea that one pays what is due or pays ones dues. As a well educated meteorologist or climatologist I’d expect it to matter to you.

In the UK we pronounce it more like d’you. We pronounce dew the same way too, like the French word adeiu.

Apologies up front if this is douchebaggery.

@Buck RogersThere you go Buck!
http://tour.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_id=23104

Finally looking through the list. Holy smokes! Did anyone else check out BMC’s squad??? Talk about one of the most impressive Classics teams going? Man, hard to pick who will even be the designated leader out of those guys!

Only V days to go until the Spring Classics kick off!!!

I’m a happy fella! Oh yeah, and I put in a few hours in crazy weather today. Rain, wind, hail. A lot of punishment in the saddle, but the rest of the day has seemed like heaven. Funny how a few hours of fun mixed with some numb hands & toes can make things out-of-the-elements seem very, very pleasant.

@Anjin-san
I don’t think you were around for Adrian. You don’t want to be confused with him.

@Skip

Between that guy and Jeannie Longo it seems the French have some longevity gene going.

Longo might have something beyond good genes. Her hubby admitted to spending shietloads of Euros on EPO in the last few years. Hmmmmmm, I don’t know what kind of sports he is into, the finger of suspicion must be swinging over towards her. Am I wrong people?
But yes, that old dude rules.

No Gianni, he stated in the police interview that the EPO was for his own use. Phew, for a moment there I thought that Jeanne might actually have used PED’s during her fifty nine years of winning every event she ever entered.

Between that guy and Jeannie Longo it seems the French have some longevity gene going.

Longo might have something beyond good genes. Her hubby admitted to spending shietloads of Euros on EPO in the last few years. Hmmmmmm, I don’t know what kind of sports he is into, the finger of suspicion must be swinging over towards her. Am I wrong people?

But yes, that old dude rules.

That’s my strategy to get the UCI Age Group Champs Jersey. Hopefully I will still be riding when every one else has given up.

Perhaps not the right thread, but as the title for this thread says “new rider” I came to think of an article I just read about an “old rider” who can’t stop racing…

http://road.cc/content/news/52765-french-cyclist-breaks-age-group-record-hour-100-years-old
Live Long and Prosper!

What a great clip! I hope I’m still riding that strong at 70, much less 100.

Between that guy and Jeannie Longo it seems the French have some longevity gene going. Maybe it’s their new strategy. Since they haven’t won a Grand Tour in ages, just keep riding until all the other competitors have retired or died.

For 2012, am offering my services as a super domestique… anyone need a lead-out man in the VSP, I’m your man.

@Buck Rogers
There you go Buck!
http://tour.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_id=23104

Damn, thanks yet again Tommy-T!

Speaking as a newcomer, I have no idea what’s going on. How do I play? I’m getting tired of my plain grey little icon… I could use a jersey.

To build on @Scaler’s input, here are some screenshots of the views you’ll get above the posting box when the VSP events are active.

You start with an empty form, enter names (nicknames are OK) and then after the race is over, you’ll see the results and how your picks were mapped to riders and earned points. From there, you can dispute if you disagree. Of course, we reserve the right to refuse any dispute.

[dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/frank/2012.02.19.18.45.35/”/]

Overall I like the new format, much more a Rule #5 way of doing things. I also like that the ladies get involved, making research and giving them their do required.

When it comes to the American Races, I feel either the USA Pro or the Tour of Utah should have made the list. Both races are high quality. This year’s USAPro will be much more exciting then last years, the time trial on the last day alone already transforms the feel of the race. The Tour of Utah calls itself the toughest stage race in America, and after watching last years edition I have trouble disagreeing, especially with how the Colombians animated the event.

As for the exclusion of the GP cycliste de Quebec, I understand that the Canadian events appear similar (Montreal is the harder of the two races though, so good pick there). But only having one of the two Canadian races could have opened a spot up for an American race to bring a little more of North America into the picture.

Also, I think the format of the Canadian races is spot on. It’s a blast to actually go to. The start finish line is a great place to hang out, the big screen lets you see the TV coverage so you’re never out of touch (although everything is in French, so it helps to know some of that), the sign in and award presentation are both right there at the start/finish so you see both, in person. In Montreal, the route goes down Avenue de Park, turns around at the bottom of the hill, and climbs up, meaning you get to see the finish as it develops, down the hill, around the corner, and then the finishing kick. And climbing the mountain by foot or bike for a few laps gives you the opportunity to see the riders up close going at a speed you can really appreciate them. Of course the decent down the other side was great too. The girlfriend was amazed by the decent. All in all she had a blast too, and she really doesn’t like much about sports. So if you can’t tell, I think the event is perfect the way it is. The only thing that could be done different would be maybe to start on the Avenue but finish on-top of the Mountain, but there’s not a ton of space up there, and the current finish is quite the punch.

All in all I’m excited for this years VSP, first full time participation, but did well last year when I did get involved.

Here’s the finish from last years race in Montreal:

http://tour.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_id=23104

http://road.cc/content/news/52765-french-cyclist-breaks-age-group-record-hour-100-years-old

Live Long and Prosper!

VSP Overall Picks.
1. Tommy Tub Tub
2. Cyclops
3. Nate
4. Il ciclista medio
5. Adrian

no, no, no… Anjin-san starts with an “A”…

@all
Small mistake in the scoring section; 2 bonus points for the right name/wrong place in Stage Races, and 3 bonus points for Grand Tours.
@scaler911, @Calmante
Awww….look at you two.
@Anjin-san

That said, including a race in States would be good- Tour of California or USA Pro Cycling Challenge… Maybe next year.

Meh…we kick ToC around every year, and every year they do something Anti-V like cancel a stage because the riders donnawanna that day.
Seriously, though, we tried to stay away from races that tend to field “training” rosters and focus on the races where the bulk of the riders show up fit and ready to race. The Tour de Suisse is the exception to this, but mostly because while it does field a healthy bunch of prep riders, it always ends up being a massive nail-biter. Its just too badass a race to leave out. You’ll also notice we omitted the Tour of China or whateverthefuck.
If the US Pro Cycling Challenge goes badass, we could see that one in there – it was off to a promising start. I would like to see them rename it to the Coors Classic. Sounds like a good name for a race.

unfortunately I agree with you re: ToC. Pro Cycling Challenge has the potential, but the promoters are going to have to do something different, like share revenues with teams, to get the big boys to show up with their big name riders. I am thinking of heading to Colorado to watch this year. A bunch of my mates went last year and had a ball- they were shocked at how big the crowds were… the high mountain stages looked like the TDF.

@motor city
Fucking Olympic years. Now we’ll have to re-convene.

Wait, I’ll find my “potty mouth” a la Steamy and be right there!

Maybe we can rehash the no swaps under ANY circumstances and the talk of throwing the women’s races out as well???

@all
Small mistake in the scoring section; 2 bonus points for the right name/wrong place in Stage Races, and 3 bonus points for Grand Tours.
@scaler911, @Calmante
Awww….look at you two.
@Anjin-san

That said, including a race in States would be good- Tour of California or USA Pro Cycling Challenge… Maybe next year.

Meh…we kick ToC around every year, and every year they do something Anti-V like cancel a stage because the riders donnawanna that day.
Seriously, though, we tried to stay away from races that tend to field “training” rosters and focus on the races where the bulk of the riders show up fit and ready to race. The Tour de Suisse is the exception to this, but mostly because while it does field a healthy bunch of prep riders, it always ends up being a massive nail-biter. Its just too badass a race to leave out. You’ll also notice we omitted the Tour of China or whateverthefuck.
If the US Pro Cycling Challenge goes badass, we could see that one in there – it was off to a promising start. I would like to see them rename it to the Coors Classic. Sounds like a good name for a race.

Feel your point on the Tour of Cali. Though I do think the canceling of stage 1 could easily be understood after the Weylandt tragedy only a week earlier. Interested to see how the new route spices things up.

Ultimately I think the US Pro has a better shot at being relavent because of it’s timing. Maybe they should get daring and move the Tour of Cali to August and connect the two… They could call it the Coors Amgen US Pro Tour of California Cycling challenge classic presented by Quiznos.

I realised that mistake as I hit the Submit Post button, I am completely mortified and ashamed of myself. I just got so excited.

Holy Mercx! I’ve got a grey cog!

And spell Merckx like that again, and you’ll be relegated back to 4 and blocked from the site…

Seriously, though””and I know you were poking fun””I think the circuit is the secret to their success. Fans get to see the racers multiple times on an exciting course and organizers can put on a big event without the race being stretched over 200km. Probably the way to go in North America to help build the sport. The Quebec crowd rejected the idea of going for the World Championships (a la Richmond), because they wanted to build a sustainable event that would continue to generate revenue and interest. By all accounts, they seem to have done an excellent job.

Is @Nate a Gilbert fan and was that part of why he won last year?

Good luck everyone.

@Marko
cheers Marko. Its impossible to avoid the olympics build up in the UK, particularly this weekend with the velodrome being used for the first time. Some great pictures here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2012/feb/17/cycling-olympics-2012-pictures#/?picture=386122425&index=0

Beautiful looking facility. Chris Hoy is looking tough again.

With that being said, why don’t all of BOTH of you pick one, host country’s choice, and we’ll include that one.

I’m going to have to do a bit of research into the VVomens events though…

1. Tommy Tub Tub
2. Cyclops
3. Nate
4. Il ciclista medio
5. Adrian

Then sitting back and laughing while watching the sword fights that erupt throughout the season.

Can’t wait, feel like I’m hit my stride this season as a Velominatus!

@scaler911, @Calmante
Awww….look at you two.

@Anjin-san

That said, including a race in States would be good- Tour of California or USA Pro Cycling Challenge… Maybe next year.

Meh…we kick ToC around every year, and every year they do something Anti-V like cancel a stage because the riders donnawanna that day.

Seriously, though, we tried to stay away from races that tend to field “training” rosters and focus on the races where the bulk of the riders show up fit and ready to race. The Tour de Suisse is the exception to this, but mostly because while it does field a healthy bunch of prep riders, it always ends up being a massive nail-biter. Its just too badass a race to leave out. You’ll also notice we omitted the Tour of China or whateverthefuck.

If the US Pro Cycling Challenge goes badass, we could see that one in there – it was off to a promising start. I would like to see them rename it to the Coors Classic. Sounds like a good name for a race.

@Calmante

Speaking as a newcomer, I have no idea what’s going on. How do I play? I’m getting tired of my plain grey little icon… I could use a jersey.

Don’t worry about the jersey. @sgt will be handing that off to me in short order.
But to answer your question: Soon on the VSP page will be 5 boxes that you put the riders in that you think will be in the top 5. Goes on all season in accordance with the above races.The rest is explained above. G’Luck.

Thanks, asshole!

;-)

OK, How about this one? A vas deferens, a penis and a prostate walk into a bar. The bartender says to the prostate, “Sorry, but if you can’t keep your friends under control, you’re going to have to leave… You’re all acting like dicks.”

Speaking as a newcomer, I have no idea what’s going on. How do I play? I’m getting tired of my plain grey little icon… I could use a jersey.

Don’t worry about the jersey. @sgt will be handing that off to me in short order.
But to answer your question: Soon on the VSP page will be 5 boxes that you put the riders in that you think will be in the top 5. Goes on all season in accordance with the above races.The rest is explained above. G’Luck.

Looking forward to defending my Maillot Jaune and adding another monument to my palmares.

On another note, I rode 2/3 of the CA Cogal Day One route this morning. The bad news is that I was completely pasted at the top of La Cumbre Peak, so you have that to look forward to. The good news is, the road surfaces are as good as they’ve ever been, and the long range weather forecast looks promising

Vive La Vie Velominatus!