Velominati Super Prestige: Liege-Bastogne-Liege

The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues with its last installment of the Spring Classics, Liége-Bastogne-Liége, on Sunday, April 25.   This will be the fourth race in the season-long series and with the unpredictability of the Ardennes classics continuing as it has, the competition is doing nothing to open up but is instead closer now than ever.

Thankfully, the eruption of Eyjafjallaj̦kull has mellowed out and travel seems to be opening up across Europe, so we are not expecting a lot of uncertainly about the start list at this stage Рespecially since most riders who have Liege on their race program have already managed make the journey to Belgium.

Of all the classics, La Doyenne is the most likely to yield a successful breakaway, which lends even more excitement to the possible race predictions.  Rob continues to hold the lead which he took at Roubaix; but much like Contador’s performance on the Mur de Huy corroborated the notion that perhaps he’s off the sauce, Rob’s lackluster performance at La Fleche eases our minds that  he isn’t working within any illegal sooth-saying rings.

This winner of this Super Prestige edition will again earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker  and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron.  As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section.  Check back here or on the Super-Prestige main page for updated rules as we will be introducing a bonus-point program for this edition.

Good luck.

Rules and results are posted Velominati Super Prestige page.

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.

View Comments

  • @Rob
    Particularly bold given the fact those guys aren't on the start list and climb like rocks.

    But to be fair - and looking over my potential picks - I see little evidence that suggests I would score more points picking guys who are on the roster.

  • @Geof
    A man after my own heart; the Brothers Grimpeur on the podium together. I think something would short-circuit and overload, causing me to pass out. Or consume massive amounts of beer and then pass out.

  • @Joe
    Beer handicap sounds like a terrible chore. I hope there's at least a good pub local where you can ease the burden a bit.

  • OK, Rule 5.

    1. Gilbert
    2. Vino
    3. Piti
    4. Evans
    5. F Grimpeur

    In line with Geof's dream list, what I'd like to see happen:

    1. Voigt - solo from 240km
    2. F Grimpeur
    3. A Grimpeur
    4. Gesink
    5. Gilbert
    ...
    DNS: Piti, Cuntador for being douchebags and finally getting snagged.

  • @frank

    Particularly bold given the fact those guys aren't on the start list and climb like rocks.

    Yes, well I like to go outside the box. That's not true in this case - just dumb confusion on my part.
    So for a second try:

    1.) A. Schleck
    2.) Hushovd
    3.) Evans
    4.) Horner
    5.) Cancellara

    Ha. This list takes into account many subtleties like, brotherly love/hate, home turf, ego, patriotism and respect among others. Mostly these are my issues and I just hope my picks have a good day and climb above their abilities...

  • I should just sit this one out, freekin lists, I am so off track. Last try.

    1.) A. Schleck
    2.) F. Schleck
    3.) Evans
    4.) Horner
    5.) Gilbert

    Don't ask.

  • Judges relegate me to lantern rouge if it is against the Rules to be such a dorkwad and have 3 goes.

  • @Rob

    Judges relegate me to lantern rouge if it is against the Rules to be such a dorkwad and have 3 goes.

    In Dutch we have an expression, "Not even a jackass will bump into the same rock twice."

    But how can we regulate you with a list like that? I mean, that's pretty close to my fantasy list right there. Well done!

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