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@frank

@wiscot
Either he’s in tights or he has one weird arse tattoo on his left outer calf.

I think you’re right. They must be one weird color that looks like flesh in B&W. I think you can see a seam on the inside of the right leg. Whatever. Astana have a history of dodgy colored kit.

And then, as the crowds made there way down from the hill, the winner already on the podium, a lone figure appears through the gloom.

“Oh look, it’s a Schleck” someone joked. But then we realised it was indeed a Schleck, and then it was just a bit sad.

That’s hilarious. And a bit sad. Pauvre Grimplette.

@wiscot
Either he’s in tights or he has one weird arse tattoo on his left outer calf.

That’s an encouraging enough finish for me to think that might be the last we’ve seen of Gilbackwards this year, I’m expecting at least one of this week’s races to see the return of Phast Phil.
Chapeau to both he & Freire for taking it by the balls & trying to beat the race in to submission despite neither being strong enough.
Lastly, when is someone going to teach Sagan how to time his finishes?

This

Been thinking the same thing! SHIT!

@wiscot
I think he is. Wearing tits tights, no?

@Bill
@Rigid
I’m sick as a dog at my brother’s place in Scotland. And I also blame @Gianni. Still, got to watch Amstel live at a hospitable time, which was nice…

I told you not to make out with him so relentlessly, tempting as it is. Believe me, I know.

@Pedale.Forchetta

Ah, and a photo…

Where is that photo from? Not AGR 2012 I assume – wrong number, kit etc…?

That is some serious Rule #33 compliance! They are beyond smooth and clearly won him the race as there is zero drag factor.

Ah, and a photo…

Where is that photo from? Not AGR 2012 I assume – wrong number, kit etc…?

Pedale – love that shot – the calm, cool dude in the middle of a turbulent pre-race sea!

Steampunk – I got alot of chaff. This is the wheat.

“Oh look, it’s a Schleck” someone joked. But then we realised it was indeed a Schleck, and then it was just a bit sad.

The beer was called Amstel Gold: The only words we recognised over the PA all day.

Main group lap 1:

Cuddles rode like his dog but looked immaculate:

The Cat went for glory:

Terpstra chased:

Aren’t you ever going home?

For me, this was the most exciting finish of a (semi)classic this year.

That is the beauty of bike racing. I have exactly ZERO points and I loved that finish.

Exactly! For a moment there I was actually rooting for Piti! Man, the VSP makes for strange bedfellows at times.

She wasn’t keen on the idea.

Nor am I.

That is the beauty of bike racing. I have exactly ZERO points and I loved that finish.

I agree!!

Ugh, my original picks had Vanendert and Freire in and I took them out!

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Cycling news brief results. Goose egg for me!

Wow. Wasn’t expecting that finish!

No kidding! What was the top 5 Anyways? I think I stunk up this VSP royally!

Valverde just rode a flat tire.

Just back from a glorious ride! Did Piti make it back to the front bunch?

Glad you’re enjoying the German countryside. Plenty of great riding to be had.

VSP PICKS:

1. Cadelephant
2. Sammy Sanchez
3. P. Sagan
4. Simon Gerrans
5. E. Boss Hag

1. Valverde Alejandro
2. Rodriguez Joaquin
3. Vanendert Jelle
4. Freire Oscar
5. Sanchez Samuel

@sthilzy

VSP PICKS:

1. Joaquin Rodriguez
2. P Sagan
3. A Valverde
4. S Gerrans
5. P Gilbert

You were probably looking at the side bar looking for your post? – picks with no comments don’t show up there so they don’t clog up the comment feed.
Anyhoo – those picks are in. Happy travels.

1. Nibali
2. Valverde
3. Gilbert
4. Sagan
5. Van Avermaet

1. Gilbert
2. Valverde
3. Nibali
4. Sagan
5. Dekker

And did you somehow get a “Press” badge? You should at least try for that one…

A couple of pics from the startline in Maastricht this morning… it was madness, and hard to get good pics in the crowds (and I turned up a bit late).

Now, off to try and find my way to the Cauberg (and meet @harminator).

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1. Cadel Evans (Aus)
2. Damiano Cunego (Ita)
3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
4. Chris Anker Sørensen (Den)
5. Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (Sp

1. Cadel Evans (Aus)
2. Damiano Cunego (Ita)
3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
4. Chris Anker Sørensen (Den)
5. 76 Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (Sp

1. Joaquim Rodriguez
2. Simon Gerrans
3. Thomas Dekker
4. Peter Sagan
5. Cadel Evans

1. Joaquin Rodriguez
2. P Sagan
3. A Valverde
4. S Gerrans
5. P Gilbert

VSP PICKS:

1. Purito
2. Nibali
3. Jelle Vanenert
4. Dirty Sanchez
5. Niki Terpstra

1. Rodriguez
2. Freire
3. Gilbert
4. Gerrans
5. Sagan

1. Good Cadel
2. J Rod
3. Valverde
4. Gerro
5. Gilbert

The little town of Valkenburg is totally overrun with cyclists. At yesterdays sportive, 20000 rode the various options from 65 to 250k. All routes finished up the Cauberg. The many bars at the base of the Cauberg have been packed and spilling out onto the streets since Friday. Yesterday we sat for two hours and a steady stream of riders rolled past – about 50 every minute.

The riding is really nice – fast flats interspersed with short, sharp climbs. The AGR route has 31 climbs in its 256ks. None are too steep or long but they just keep coming at you.

I can’t speak a word of Dutch so its … interesting. Fortunately most of them speak good English. But there’s a great vibe, man. Hoping to catch up with Bretto today. I think we’ll be halfway up Cauberg (they go through 3 times) with a big green & gold kangaroo flag and a Borat mankini…

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

1. Vo-Clair
2. Saga
3. Sammy
4. Valv.Piti
5. Vanendert

1. Valverde
2. Nibali
3. J rodriguez
4. Gerrans
5. S Sanchez

1. Chavanel
2. Valverde
3. Hoogerland
4. Gilbert
5. Sagan

1. Billions
2. Piti
3. Sandshoe
4. Boss Hog
5. Purito

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

1. Simon Gerrans
2. Nibali
3. Sagan
4. J. Rod
5. Freire

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez
2. Freire
3. Sanchez
4. Valverde
5. Gilbert

1. Evans
2. Valverde
3. Nibali
4. Gerrans
5. Saga

VSP PICKS:

1. Chavenel
2. sanchez
3. Valverde
4. Nibali
5. Grimpelder

1. purito
2. gerrans
3. sagan
4. sam sanchez
5. nibali

VSP PICKS:

1. Purito
2. Sanchez, Sammy
3. Valverde
4. Gerrans
5. O. Freire, where art thou

1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Horner
4. Voeckler
5. Boassen Hagen

VSP PICKS:

1. Valverde
2. Nibal
3. Freier
4. Sagan
5. Chavenel

1. Cadel Evans
2. Andy Schleck
3. Gerrans
4. Sanchez
5. Freire

1. Valverde
2. Rodriguez
3. Sanchez
4. Gerrans
5. Sagan

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Sanchez
3. Rodriguez
4. Chavanel
5. Sagan

1. Hoogerland
2. Voeckler
3. Gilbert
4. Boassen Hagen
5. Decker

VSP PICKS:

1. Purito (Joaquin) Rodriguez
2. Peter Sagan
3. Sammy Sanchez
4. Sylvain Chavenal
5. Alejandro Valverde