Categories: Velominati Super Prestige

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 EyjafjallajÃ¶kull 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 – especially 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.

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View Comments

Marko says:

Apr 22 2010 at 11:17 am

C'mon peeps, who's gonna start it off this time? Is La Doyenne gonna suit a breakaway specialist like Kolobnev this time around? What of Gilbert? He's said this is his major goal of the spring. Then again, maybe old Jens will please us all. And did you hear? Veino is going to be there, he's won it before. Will Good Cadel show up twice in one week? Cunt-odor surely will factor in. Can the Schlepps find the winning brother-on-brother action? What's it gonna be folks?
frank says:

Apr 22 2010 at 3:39 pm

@Marko
Yeah, we're all chicken cuz no one knows what to do! We're paralyzed by the possibilities. We need to observe Rule 5 and get on with it.

I'll get my predictions in today.
Geof says:

Apr 22 2010 at 4:26 pm

Mention of Rule 5 has prompted me to man up and maximise the prospects of another bumper sticker.

Bloody difficult. Don't really got a clue, to be honest. But here goes:

1. Gilbert
2. Pistolero
3. A Grimpeur
4. Piti
5. Kreuziger

Two additional lists, by way of grauitous cluttering of the page:

What I'd like to see (but am pretty sure I won't):

1. F Grimpeur
2. A Grimpeur
3. Gilbert
4. Hesejdal
5. Ivanov

What I'd hate to see (and hope to God I don't):

1. Piti
2. Vino
3, 4 & 5. Don't care. The world will have ended for me.

Best wishes to all for your picks.
Marko says:

Apr 22 2010 at 6:03 pm

Way to lead things off again Geof. I'd talk shit to Rob right now with only a one point deficit but this is too difficult and I look like an idiot around here enough. So here goes:

1. Gilbert - It's gonna be his day
2. J. Rodriguez - He's got the UCI standing right now and wants to represent
3. A. Schleck - He still doesn't have the winning form but has hella team support
4. Cunt-odor - He's pissed at himself after Wednesday and now has Vein-O's support
5. Nibali - Because Leaky-gas has a strong outfit for this race.

Wish I could watch this weekend but alas will be working. Enjoy everyone and good luck with your picks. Look out Rob!
brett says:

Apr 23 2010 at 1:59 am

Marko's really upping the nickname ante there!

Geof, talk about hedging your bets...

Here goes;

1. I'm gonna let my Aussie blood take over and pick Good Evans.
2. Valverde. He'll probably win now I've picked him for second.
3. I'm finding it hard to resist some Cunt-odor...
4. Edit: Gilbert, to stack my 5
5. Cunego...
Joe says:

Apr 23 2010 at 3:02 am

Gilbert - the race goes past his house, how can he not win?
Evans - destined to meet the man with the hammer now I've picked him.
Rodriguez - Ivanov and Kolobnev softening the field with some crazy breaks.
Cunego - Improving in the last 2, due a good result.
Contador

Another hill circuit tomorrow morning for me with my fresh back from injury chum. I've nobly volunteered to go out and induce a beer handicap this evening to even the gap. Tough work.
Rob says:

Apr 23 2010 at 6:30 am

This sucks! I am in complete contradiction of Rule #5 I have lost my mojo, nerves, too big a field - the excuses just keep piling up. Why is it my connection is never around for the tough one's?Marko bring it on, so I get a spine - Please.

Ok going way out here:

1.) A. schleckster
2.) Flecha
3.) Horner
4.) Boonen
5.) Hushovd
Joe says:

Apr 23 2010 at 7:27 am

@Rob - Bold. Potentially iconoclastic and epitomising rule 5 IMO...
Marko says:

Apr 23 2010 at 8:24 am

@Rob
Dude that IS bold. Tom and Thor? There goes the apple cart.
Rob says:

Apr 23 2010 at 8:29 am

@Joe

@Marko

Much to kind, its more like deer in the headlights... the potential seems far away.