I’m already looking towards the future. I have a clear conscience. I wake up thinking about my kids. And my wife. And I don’t think about anything in the past at all. Who needs it? See ya #18 spot, I’m movin’ on up!

Woohooo. A strong finish for me. I’m glad I stayed up extra late mulling over the slotting of my picks. First win of the year. I’m parking on a downslope for the VSP 2013. Get fucking ready! Top 10 last year and while I slipped out this year, I think my team will be pleased with my consistency. I’ll train all winter with visions of shop aprons dancing in my head.

And, I only Delgado’ed once. That darn Montreal GP! Next year I plan on going for zero.

That VSP thing was rather fun, and I can think of no other outlet for my misguided delusions of pro-cycling insight. I’ll be in for the gusto next season.

In the meantime, I’ll step back gracefully into the gloom from whence I came, while y’all resume talking exclusively on stuff I don’t understand.

LURKMODE ENGAGED.

That’s some incredible consistency.  Maybe you’ll win one of these years.

Thanks to the keepers for the fun and games!

Next season I’ll try to get away in the breakaway rather than just cruising in with the main peloton. I have been humbled by my lack of knowledge .

@Rob  I don’t have a day job, I work nights, which does help as I get out in time to watch the big races on the compy, then go to sleep. You get a better idea who is on form when you watch the whole race and not just the highlights and whatnot. Cqranking.com is a big help as well.

Wait – you changed your handle? Sweet. I was thinking about changing mine as it’s a bit… blah.

But way back when, I changed my email address and lost all badge rank. Was afraid of changing names.

You didn’t lose any badge rank? Or do you even know, considering you’ve got the leafy goodness badge?

I don’t know, I kinda liked Captain Fuck Around a bit better.

I’ll go with Cap’n Pou Pou instead.

Vsp was awesome. I read way too much about cycling so being able to use this useless knowledge for something almost productive was enjoyable. 13th was ok, but not a win congrats to the San Tonio Spurs.  The killer was a tie for first at Roubaix and losing on the tie breaker.  I wanted that newspaper!!!

Keepers – thanks, again, for a great VSP.  It’s a lot of work, not made easier by a consistent community enthusiasm for obscure nicknames submitted at the last minute, but your dedication to the task is outstanding and really appreciated.

Xyxax, Blah, Gerard and everyone else – congratulations / commiserations, as appropriate. 

As for me? Having now placed 2nd (2010 VSP), 3rd (2011 VSP) and 2nd (2012 VSP), I realise that no matter how much I reduce my fucking around I am am destined to be the “almost” guy of this decade, and have changed my name accordingly. 

– The Contestant Previously Known as G’phant

And thanks, Keepers, for another great season.  Give yourselves a raise.

What blows me away is the 385 contenders and the hard fought battle in the top 51(King Clydesdale with Steampunk breaking bad at 50 and these guys are scoring in the 100’s). Then we have the top 10! Man do you guys have a day job? Do you sleep at all? Where are you getting the inside tips, do you have a direct line to the team buses?

I know 3 of the top 10 and the weird thing is they are not geniuses (well actually they may be?) nor ex pros. It amazes me that they and the rest of you high score people got so many picks from so many options.

Huge bouquet and podium girls to San Tonio.

And special mention for lantern rouge to Gerard.

@scaler911

http://youtu.be/i-J2bIsPDH8

Doped to the gills? Of course, but it’s beautiful to watch.

Who is that in the French National Champ kit? Looks the business!

I also watching this at about 7:45 this morning, while waiting for the race to come on. When the music first started I thought, “Did I accidentally start itunes on this computer?” Has happened before. Nope, it’s set over the video. And damn, I officially like and need to pick up some Miles Davis. Sad to say that I thought, “This music is awesome,” but had no idea who I was listening to…

Laurent Jalabert. Penned an article on him, which may or may not be good. Or crap. You may see it soon. Or not, depending on quality control with The Keepers.

@scaler911

http://youtu.be/i-J2bIsPDH8

Doped to the gills? Of course, but it’s beautiful to watch.

Who is that in the French National Champ kit? Looks the business!

I also watching this at about 7:45 this morning, while waiting for the race to come on. When the music first started I thought, “Did I accidentally start itunes on this computer?” Has happened before. Nope, it’s set over the video. And damn, I officially like and need to pick up some Miles Davis. Sad to say that I thought, “This music is awesome,” but had no idea who I was listening to…

Oh yeah, Mies Davis is sublimely, amazing “cool”.  I had never listened to any jazz until my last deployment.  Decided to check it out and bought a bunch of classic jazz albums including Davis’ Birth of the Cool, Kind of Blue, and my favorite of his Sketches of Spain.  All amazing albums!  Dave Brubeck is pure class as well, as is Charles Mingus.  Great stuff!

Congrats to San Tonio and I’ll echo his words on the VSP and site as a hole. Cheers

I would not say that the site is a hole….I think it is pretty good all in all, when you consider the loons that post on it and run it …however, if you meant “the site as a whole” then I completely agree…..;)

http://youtu.be/i-J2bIsPDH8

Doped to the gills? Of course, but it’s beautiful to watch.

Who is that in the French National Champ kit? Looks the business!

I also watching this at about 7:45 this morning, while waiting for the race to come on. When the music first started I thought, “Did I accidentally start itunes on this computer?” Has happened before. Nope, it’s set over the video. And damn, I officially like and need to pick up some Miles Davis. Sad to say that I thought, “This music is awesome,” but had no idea who I was listening to…

Thanks to everyone for participating and helping to make this an exciting game; also a special thanks to those of you who helped uncover and resolve defects in the system.

[vsp_gc year=2012/]

Well, it was better than most. You took the win this time around!

@all

I always love seeing a sprinter try to bridge up solo ala Cipo at Gent VVevelgem. Respect to Degenkolb.

Ron takes the win over Trobs and Adrian in an unusually small field.

[vsp_results id=”20560″]
[/vsp_results]

Thank You very much Sir

@Tobin

yeah, it is over

Pretty exciting finale!

Shoot, pulled off a top 10 last year, guess now that I’ve slipped I have a long winter of training ahead of me…I need that shop apron!

So did anyone actually score more than just having Degenkolb in the top 5!?

Yup – I had Terpstra – nearly had him in the right place too if it hadn’t been for those pesky kids

So did anyone actually score more than just having Degenkolb in the top 5!?

At least (as in, didn’t look close enough to be sure nobody else did) @Adrian and @r00tdown had Degenkolb in fourth.

@San Tonio

Grats on the VSP win. Damn fine end to the season over the past few races.

So did anyone actually score more than just having Degenkolb in the top 5!?

I scored a SMOKING two points as I had good old Marcato for fourth place with Degenkolb in second place.  Yeah, think I need to start working for the betting sites.

Pretty solid work to come back after a 2nd last year and pull off a win!

De Vrees

Terpstra

Degenkolb

Hmm, I’m watching it live via steephill via Sporza. Not sure about a ticker, but makes moves…5km to go!

ahhh, I am still running off of 3G and not wifi or cable internet.  Gets a bit costly watching actual feeds.  Let me know who wins, okay?!

VSP PICKS:

1. Van Avermaet
2. Von Hoff
3. Degenkolb
4. Cantwell
5. Boom

1. Ballan
2. Chavenal
3. van Avermaet
4. Flecha
5. Degenkolb

VSP PICKS:

1. Casper
2. Van Avermaet
3. Degenkolb
4. Boom
5. Ciolek

VSP PICKS:

1. Degenkolb
2. Bouhanni
3. GvA
4. Chavanel
5. Flecha

VSP PICKS:

1. John Degenkolb
2. Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni
3. Alessandro Ballan
4. Lars Boom
5. Nacer Bouhanni

1. Alessandro Ballan

VSP PICKS:

1. Meier
2. Breschel
3. Flecha
4. Zaugg
5. De Gendt

VSP PICKS:

1. roelandts
2. ballan
3. degenkolb
4. bouhanni
5. blythe

VSP PICKS:

1. Bouhanni
2. degenkolb
3. stannard
4. van avermaet
5. boom

1. Degenkolb
2. Bouhanni
3. Van Avermaet
4. Keukeleire
5. Von Hoff

1. Lars Boom
2. Greg VA
3. Niki Terpstra
4. Degenkolb
5. Flecha

Classic! Now we’re headed in the right direction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfzm9dfqBw

Doped to the gills? Of course, but it’s beautiful to watch.

Where the fuck did the cycling site I love so much go? Gonna segue into who won the first debate now? WTFF? Go watch some Pantani videos STAT on the YouTube. Then run off to Huff Po or Human Events to talk politics. Besides, we’re all going to be speaking Chinese soon, and the best plastic bikes in the world are made there.

Maybe this will get us back on track:

1. Boom
2. Ciolek
3. Van Avermaet
4. Navardauskas
5. Keukeleire

@Buck Rogers

Well, you did pretty much fuck up their republican democracy after they taught it to your founding fathers.

Professor: They are already on their 5th republic.  We are still on our first.  A non sequitur, sir.

You Americans. Always taking the credit. I thought you barely set foot in France before 1944.

That’s true.  It wasn’t until we got the official invitiation from Emperor Shōwa, that the European Theater was prioritized, and we went there.  Of course there was a mobilization that took some time.

@Marcus

@Steampunk

@Buck Rogers

@harminator

Americans seem to conveniently forget the huge loss of life that may have been avoided if it wasn’t for isolationist policy.

That statement makes me think that y’uns think we should be involved everywhere. Yet, when we do get involved, we are imperialists, crusaders or the like, and are castigated for it.  Y’all can’t have it both ways, but then that’s politics, and the Commonwealth memory is long, or short, depending on the circumstance.

Nevertheless, for WWI especially, there is always the perception that IF the USA were involved, then WE (Allies) coulda shoulda woulda. It’s all hindsight now. Look at the Balkans in the 90s. How many people died there before that intervention. Having trudged over northern France (and in a variety of places in Bosnia-Herzogovina & Kosovo), it is hard to imagine the scale of loss unless you’ve seen the Commonwealth cemeteries that are permanently imprinted on the French countryside.

VSP PICKS:

1. Boom
2. Koldo Fernandez
3. Degenkolb
4. Matthew Busche
5. Chavenel

1. Boom

VSP PICKS:

1. Bouhanni
2. Blythe
3. Degenkolb
4. Steegmans
5. Ciolek

True that. Canada entered the war against Germany in 1939; we knew they had weapons of mass destruction.

@Buck Rogers

@harminator

Americans seem to conveniently forget the huge loss of life that may have been avoided if it wasn’t for isolationist policy.

1. Boom
2. Degenkolb
3. Van Avermaet
4. Flecha
5. Maaskant

1. Bouhanni
2. Degenkolb
3. Blythe
4. Boom
5. Van Avermaet

The Australian Soldier

A large group of German soldiers are moving down a road when they “¨hear a voice call from behind a hill: “¨”¨”One Australian soldier is better than ten Germans”.

The German Commander quickly sends 10 of his best soldiers over the hill where upon a gun-battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes, then silence. The voice then calls out “One Australian soldier is better than one hundred Germans”.”¨”¨ Furious, the German Commander sends his next best 100 troops over the hill and instantly a huge gunfight commences.  After 10 minutes of battle, again silence. The Australian voice calls out again “One Australian soldier is better than one thousand Germans”.

The enraged German Commander musters one thousand fighters and sends them across the hill.  Cannon, rocket and machine gun fire ring out as a huge battle is fought.  Then silence.  Eventually one wounded German fighter crawls back over the dune and with his dying words tells his commander: “Don’t send any more men, its a trap. There’s actually two of them.”

VSP PICKS:

1. Chavanel
2. Ballan
3. De Gendt
4. Fuglsang
5. Turgot

@Buck Rogers

Q. Why are the Champs Élysées lined with trees?

A. Because the Germans like marching in the shade.

Ha!  That’s the spirit, Steamy!

VSP PICKS:

1. Degenkolb
2. Bouhanni
3. van Avermaet
4. Cantwell
5. Hivert

Q. Why are the Champs Élysées lined with trees?

A. Because the Germans like marching in the shade.

1. Lars Boom    
2. John Degenkolb
3. Gerald Ciolek  
4. Sylvain Chavanel
5. Juan Antonio Flecha

VSP PICKS:

1. Degenkolb
2. Bouhanni
3. Dumoulin
4. Boom
5. Van Avermaet

1. Stannard
2. Flecha
3. Van Avermet
4. Bouhanni
5. Degenkolb

@Buck Rogers

Well, you did pretty much fuck up their republican democracy after they taught it to your founding fathers.

See, there you go getting all history PhD’y on me again.  I just know that they would be serving sauerkraut on the Champ Élysées and not escargot if it were not for the Americans and British and the rest of the world bailing their asses out.

(says the well indoctrinated soldier :)

@Steampunk

@Buck Rogers

That’s a pretty American concept of French love: putting a Frenchman in fifth. Would you like some freedom fries with that?

Fucking French, we save their country for them and they treat us rudely when we visit, what do you expect?!?!

Besides, since they went off the juice they haven’t been worth shit in cycling!

Btw, before someone gets their panties in a bunch, both of the above are said with tongue firmly in cheek, except point one and two.

Er…that’s why we love the french….in a world where everyone has to tow the line, think about who might be offended by every word uttered…the french simply say “furk ewe mon ami….it’s ma way er de hawaay”…a truly great ppl…and their time will come again I’m sure…after all, us Brits have waited since Tommy in the 60’s for our moment in the sun ;)

Well, you did pretty much fuck up their republican democracy after they taught it to your founding fathers.

1. Bouhanni
2. Flecha
3. Degenkolb
4. Westra
5. Chavanel

1. Degenkolb
2. Ciolek
3. Stannard
4. Van Avermaet
5. Ballan

@Buck Rogers

That’s a pretty American concept of French love: putting a Frenchman in fifth. Would you like some freedom fries with that?

Fucking French, we save their country for them and they treat us rudely when we visit, what do you expect?!?!

Besides, since they went off the juice they haven’t been worth shit in cycling!

Btw, before someone gets their panties in a bunch, both of the above are said with tongue firmly in cheek, except point one and two.

1. Flecha
2. Fuglsang
3. Bouhanni
4. Degenkolb
5. Blyth

That’s a pretty American concept of French love: putting a Frenchman in fifth. Would you like some freedom fries with that?

VSP PICKS:

1. Westra
2. Degenkob
3. Van Avermaet
4. Mercato
5. Bouhanni

Neo-pros: does that mean the break is more likely to succeed? I opted for a sprint (it seems to be about 50-50 at Paris-Tours), but I wonder if we’ll see a slightly less coordinated peloton than we might typically see mid-season.

VSP PICKS:

1. Van Avermaet
2. Flecha the doga
3. Chavanel #5
4. Deg Knob
5. DeGendt

VSP PICKS:

1. degenkolb
2. roelandts
3. ballan
4. bouhanni
5. blythe

1. kristoff
2. degenkolb
3. boom
4. van avermaet
5. beppu

1. Degenkolb
2. Van Avermaet
3. Nizzolo
4. Flecha
5. Chavanel

1. Degenkolb
2. Boom
3. Van Avermaet
4. Bouhanni
5. Westra