Velominati Super Prestige: Milano-San Remo

RDV wins La Primavera in 1973

The second annual Velominati Super Prestige kicks off with La Primavera, Milano-San Remo on March 19. The first Monument of the year, MSR is the first true showdown of the year where all the big names will be en forme and willing to sell their mothers to notch this prestigious win. Although known for its famous climbs including the Cipressa and the Poggio, it isn’t the terrain that poses the greatest challenge in this race, but it’s distance. At almost 300km, this race is a monster. Without having ever ridden it, I can tell you with zero confidence that the Poggio is not a steep or difficult climb, but with a big pile of kilometers already ridden, even its moderate gradient will weigh heavy in the legs.

MSR often finishes in a bunch sprint, but not always. With a well-timed attack on the Poggio and more than a handful of seconds buffer before starting the descent, riders with technical descending skills (sorry, Les Freres Grimpeur, never gonna happen) can stay away and spoil the day for the fast men.

We find ourselves with a pile of data gleaned from watching Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, but La Primavera happens to be enough of a wild-card that all that data will only serve to cloud judgement. Our advice? Take out the radio earpiece to and vote on feel.

The winner of this VSP edition will earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free personalized Velominati Shop Apron. This year we’ve enhanced the entry mechanism; if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the designated area above the posts section, bearing in mind that entry/modification of picks closes at 5am Pacific time on the day of the race. Check the Super-Prestige main page for rules and scoring information.

Good luck.

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

Gerard says:

Mar 18 2011 at 12:54 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Haussler
2. CavenDish
3. Gilbert
4. Cancellara
5. Hushovd
Andreas says:

Mar 18 2011 at 1:31 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Hushovd
2. Gilbert
3. Boasson
4. Freire
5. Sagan
Collin says:

Mar 18 2011 at 2:12 pm

@frank
That may or may not have been intentional, but I made sure they were explained in the text. That said, two of those nicknames were terrible, so they have been removed. I'm really liking "The Man With The Golden Bearings" though, going to have to stick with that one.

VSP PICKS:

1. The Man With The Golden Bearings
2. Gilbert
3. Billions and Billions
4. The God of Sunder
5. McEwen
sgt says:

Mar 18 2011 at 2:25 pm

Holy Shit! A guy goes a-workin' for a few days and they come crawling out of the woodwork! Nice to see such excitement for La Primavera, I know I'm as excited as a little girl! (channeling Dieter from Sprockets right now...) I'm planning for multiple contingencies, a long break, a small bunch sprint, and a chase down at the line. Petacchi's an emotional favorite, I admit.

Let the racing begin!

VSP PICKS:

1. Ale-Jet
2. Ballan
3. Chavanel
4. Robbie Hunter
5. Greipel
andy says:

Mar 18 2011 at 3:03 pm

I'm trying to work out if the finish of MSR clashes with the england - ireland rugby match tomorrow, as i will be very conflicted on which to watch. It might be a case of rugby on the tv and cycling on the laptop...
for the record, england will win by 3 points

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. The God of Thunder
3. Matt Goss
4. Spartacus
5. Robbie McEwan
Bongo says:

Mar 18 2011 at 3:20 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Haussler
2. McEwen
3. Geraint Thomas
4. Sagan
5. Visconti
Marko says:

Mar 18 2011 at 3:40 pm

Okay, so I usually don't pop off around here about pro bikes but CavensnewVengedish is pure hot sex. Especially given its a massive American brand.
shep says:

Mar 18 2011 at 4:08 pm

hmmmmm

VSP PICKS:

1. Hushovd
2. Friere
3. Spartacus
4. Cavendouche
5. Farrar
Jamin says:

Mar 18 2011 at 4:39 pm

I really have no idea at all. Heart votes for a few good Aussies in there to fly the flag. Would really like to see a 5-way finish between Bling Matthews, Alby Davo, Good Gossy, Heiny Hauss and Robbie Mac.
'Brain' says Thor, Friere, Petacchi, Farrar and Gilbert.
Whatever happens it'll be a ripper.

VSP PICKS:

1. Good Gossy
2. Thor
3. Haussler
4. Spartacus
5. Robbie Mac
blaireau says:

Mar 18 2011 at 4:41 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Peter Sagan
2. Heinrich Haussler
3. Oscar Freire
4. Matt Goss
5. Phillipe Gilbert