Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Fléche Wallonne Femmes 2012

Armstrong and Arndt photo by B. Denti

During the Ronde von Vlaanderen, we of the 2012 Keeper’s Spring Classic Tour were right on the Oude Kwaremont climb as the women big-ringed it up the cobbles. Kristin Armstrong (US Women’s Team) was burying herself to get on Judith Arndt’s (Greenedge) wheel. It looked like the winning break was going right in front of our eyes. Seeing professional cyclists in action is always a humbling experience and seeing these women was no exception. Damn, these women looked great: fit, strong, awesome and crushing the Oude Kwaremont in the Ronde. They must have been jazzed too, anyone who gets to race these fabled climbs must get a buzz storming up, urged on by the massive throng of beer infused Belgian fans.

They will be doing it again on the Mur de Huy on Wednesday. Will they be as psyched to crush that climb? Perhaps the winner will but everyone else might find it a bit too steep the second time around. This year’s course is 123km, 13.5km longer than last year’s with two ascents of the Mur de Huy. Marianne Vos (Rabobank) was sick for the Ronde but she is the heavy favorite having won Fléche Wallonne Femmes only the last four times. Stay on her wheel until the final 30 meters and pop by for the win. How hard can that be? Bloody impossible judging from her previous record yet betting against Armstrong, Arndt or Pooley seems foolhardy.

It’s cheating to look at Cyclop’s picks. He obviously sold his soul to the devil, that might be cheating, I’m not sure. The betting office window closes early Wednesday morning so do your worst. Here is the start list.

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220 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Fléche Wallonne Femmes 2012”

  1. @scaler911

    BTW, I don’t find Armstrong on the start list over at Cycling Fever, which seems to be the most accurate start lists I can find on the web.

    Good point. Her team is not starting and she is not listed under the overall USA team. Not sure but sound slike she is a no go.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Arndt
    3. Cooke
    4. Johansson
    5. Pooley

  4. Replacing Armstrong…thanks for the heads up!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Arndt
    3. E Johansson
    4. Cooke
    5. Pooley

  7. VSP PICKS:

    1. E. Pooley
    2. J. Arndt
    3. M. Vos
    4. E. Johansson
    5. M. Guarnier

  10. There is a USA team in. They were at the team introduction in Huy just now. Can’t be sure who’s riding – my French is only marginally better than my Dutch.
    You really missed out Brett. Got pics with the GreenEdge team & chatted to the Aussie girls.
    Had a quick chat to Nicole Cooke – nice but business like.
    Emma Pooley held the door open for me as I went in the cafe.
    Then chatted to the Topsport team for 20 mins while they had their hot chocolate. Really cool.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Arndt
    2. Vos
    3. Pooley
    4. Berlato
    5. E Johansson

  13. Hmm, need more info. Picking names I now recognise but no idea if this is their kind of race.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Pooley
    3. Belmans, Else
    4. Cooke
    5. Arndt

  14. Team Italia

    Topsport

    Rabobank (Vos far left)

    Emma Pooley doesn’t look like she could rip yer legs off (far left)

  17. @Harminator
    Unbelievable. What a sport cycling is where you can get that up close and personal with the top pros. Try THAT with baseball or American football, fat chance. Love the updates! Keep ’em coming!

  18. Got to be Vos on past form – if she’s fully recovered.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Via
    2. Pooley
    3. Arndt
    4. Johansson
    5. Cooke

  20. @Calmante

    Really don’t care. This takes the fun out of the VSP.

    Really don’t care what you think. Your grumbling takes the fun out of the VSP.

    Sunday was our local Paris to Ancaster race. 60km over mud, gravel, and roads. A former student of mine and local rider wasn’t feeling ready for the race, and therefore acted as domestique for a local Velominata, who absolutely crushed the women’s section, breaking an almost dynasty of the old guard. Neat stuff.

  23. changed due to armstrong not starting

    VSP PICKS:

    1. vos
    2. pooley
    3. arndt
    4. Johansson
    5. cooke

  33. VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. J. Arndt
    3. Emma Johansson
    4. Emma Pooley
    5. Trixi Worrack

  34. Why is this field required?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Pooley
    2. Vos
    3. Arndt
    4. Cooke
    5. Bronzini

  35. VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos Marianne
    2. Cooke Nicole
    3. Arndt Judith
    4. Longo Borghini Lisa
    5. Johansson Emma

  36. VSP PICKS:

    1. Marianne Vos
    2. Judith Arndt
    3. Emma Johansson
    4. Nicole Cooke
    5. Emma Pooley

  40. VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Pooley
    3. Hanka Kupfernagel
    4. Amber Neben
    5. Sophie De Boer

  41. VSP PICKS:

    1. Marianne Vos
    2. Judith Arndt
    3. Emma Pooley
    4. Andrea Dvorak
    5. Emma Johansson

  42. Bonne chance, mesdames.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Pooley
    3. Ardnt
    4. Johansson
    5. Ferrand-Prevot

  44. I am totally guessing here… Perhaps that will net some serious points.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Pooley
    3. Arndt
    4. Johansson
    5. Neben

  45. VSP PICKS:

    1. Marianne Vos
    2. Nicole Cooke
    3. Judith Arndt
    4. Emma Johansson
    5. Melodie Lesueur

  48. Well this should be interesting…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Vos
    2. Arndt
    3. Pooley
    4. Johansson
    5. Cooke

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