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.

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236 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Milano-San Remo”

  1. Frank: Where are your picks? Are you not playing or just holding out?

  2. First crack at this hope I look good in the apron

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Tyler
    3. Thor
    4. Robbie mc
    5. Matthew Harley Goss

  3. Outsider time. Fabulous and Weylandt to lead out Bennati. Garmin sending 3 hot faves doesn’t make sense to me – too much to go wrong. Michael Matthews for top 10. Cavendish to sit up when he loses Goss’s wheel.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Bennati
    2. Farrarrrrrrrrrrr
    3. Freire Oscar, dorme vous?
    4. Matt Gaussie
    5. Greg van Transit Mart

  4. Here comes MSR!!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Spartucu
    2. God of Thunder
    3. Tyler
    4. Boasson-Hagen
    5. Haussler

  5. jnunberg :
    Here comes MSR!!
    VSP PICKS:
    1. Spartucus2. God of Thunder3. Tyler4. Boasson-Hagen5. Haussler

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Spartucus
    2. God of Thunder
    3. Tyler
    4. Boasson-Hagen
    5. Haussler

  6. CanuckChuck:
    Looks like UniversalSports will carry MSR delayed for $1.99 MSR on Universal Sports
    Any one know of a live source (in North America) for race coverage?

    That’s actually pretty cool. For $1.99 it may be would mos def be worth it, especially if it’s Kelly commentating. However, I’d sort of miss finding some shitty Flemish or Italian station and following along on the c.n. ticker when needed. Does anyone know if it’ll be on Versus? I may have access to someone’s pad with t.v. and cable.

  7. Bearing in mind Spartacus is down at 5 cos it’s an unknown how well his team will work in the classics. Lot of good riders all saying good things, but time will tell…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Boom Boom Boonen!
    2. Freire Cat
    3. Hushovd
    4. Gilbear
    5. Spartacus

  8. As we don’t have Murilo Fischer on Garmin squad for this race…I will go with the following.

    And just to inform you guys…this year I will get the Rainbow Jersey!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Thor
    2. Freire
    3. Cancellara
    4. Gilbert
    5. Hausler

  9. Hello, my old friend…we meet again. Do I vote sensibly, or do I vote with my heart? My heart says Farrar takes it, or Saucedler, or Fignon again? That would be quite the upset. My semi-heart (the one that listens to my brain enough to know T-Bone won’t win but not enough to be smart) says Gilbert finally makes one stick on the Poggio. But reality says that fucking Brother Oscar will dive around some poor sod who thinks he’s won.

    What my heart says

    1. Farrar
    2. Thor his legs off
    3. Haussler
    4. Boonen
    5. Gesink

    But come on. So here’s the best I can do:

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Farrar
    3. Boonen
    4. Frere
    5. The Gorrila

  10. Marko:
    Does anyone know if it’ll be on Versus?

    Back when I had cable, Versus would only show the TdF, nothing else. Not even any of the other major grand tours. Pretty worthless, really. You’d be better off ordering the Universal Sports feed, connecting your computer to a TV, and watching that way.

  11. @Hawkeye
    Hausslerhoff! Love it! He is a bit of a prettyboy, isn’t he?

    The audio on this video is a bit funny sounding, but here’s a good preview of what can happen if the sprinter’s teams lose control. A load of the riders named here that I looked at and said, “DREAM ON, SNOOZE TOOZE!” are figuring into it. The hair on the back of my neck stands up at the thought of a break getting clear, and I feel like it could happen this year.

    And, of course, there’s this one.

  12. Gilbert and Sagan make a leap for it on the Poggio, but they don’t get the tailwind they need and get nipped at the line as Cancellera comes flying by as they pass under the flamme rouge. Thor wins the depressed bunch gallop on the coattails of escape. Robbie McEwen gets close just because he feels like it.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. The Man With The Golden Bearings
    2. The Hilltop Attacker
    3. Billions and Billions
    4. The God of Sunder
    5. Old Guy From Down Under

  13. And this and this.

    I am sad for those of you who don’t speak Dutch; when the motor bike gets in the way in the first of these two, the commentators have a word or 20 to say about precisely what brand of idiot the motorcycle pilot is.

  14. Cebollito says “THOR” and I say Cebollito knows his MSR. Garmin is coming stacked and The Mighty gapped FarRAWR in Tirreno. Dude is riding high on the rainbow. Barbie is headed for a peak at the Ronde, and is along as a flashbang that JV can throw to distract others.

    …which is exactly what happens. Ballan launches an attack that Flecha follows on the Cipressa. The Sparrow flutters in from behind, being the biggest fan of Flecha in the bunch. “What are we gonna do today, boss?” he asks (but in Spanish) JV Haussler follows at the bottom, catching them on the Poggio. Meanwhile, Ballan is looking nicely on form after his Monty-Pashy performance. PS – Have you looked at Flecha’s MSR results? He’s been in the Top 40 every time he’s raced, save for once. He’s also looking to avenge, so he’ll go early, Ballan chasing. Flecha’s diesel engine runs low and THOR SMASH.

    …but all of those were already taken, so I’m going to go EXXXTRA VIRGIN on this and say it’s a day for an Italian breakaway…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Visconti
    2. Nibali
    3. Ballan
    4. Sagan
    5. Angel Madrazo

  15. Long time stalker of the V here… and I want IN, IN, IN!!!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Haus
    2. Alby Davis
    3. Thor
    4. Freire
    5. Gilbert

  16. Not sure what I did, but only two of my picks saved…. so here’s the full set:
    1- Gilbert
    2- Ballan
    3- Thor
    4- Di Luca
    5- Boasson Hagen

  17. Frank. Work computers seem to have blocked all your fancy gewgaws. Is it okay if I just crayon my picks in here? Not like they’ll be remotely close anyways.

    Haussler
    Freire
    A. Davis
    McEwen
    Bozic.

  18. @Marko
    I see that Eurosport is broadcasting it live (2hrs) at 1:00am EST Australia. Not sure if you get that over there? but is one of our cable channels here

  19. Man, the nickname game is getting serious! I hope you can work out who some of these fuckers are, frank…

    And whoever tipped Di Luca, genius!

    So, because I don’t qualify for The Apron and I went shite last year, I’m going for an Aussie top 5… just ridiculous enough to work. Or not.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Heiny
    2. Alby
    3. Gossy
    4. Robbie
    5. Ricky Shaw

  20. @ Frank – yep, saw those photos at cycling news. Some really great shots in there.

    Also enjoyed reading what Cipo had to say about each of the racers he thinks has a shot. Seems like he has a pretty solid idea of what is going on in the pro ranks still.

    Can’t wait for the race! I’m still in the Czech Republic and for some reason being in the same time zone, and this close to Italy, makes the race just a little bit more exciting. I’m scheduled to head back to the U.S. in a few weeks, just before Ronde and P-R. Hmm, should I delay my flights?

    Enjoy MSR fellow Followers! (and Keepers)

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Freire

  21. Uh oh, I only have two entered and the picks boxes are only showing two. Did I break the software?

    Damnit.

    I’ll wait a bit, hope to see all five boxes, as I see the note to NOT add them here…

  22. Can’t tell they are coming from Australia can you

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Haussler
    2. Goss
    3. Bling
    4. Petacchi
    5. McEwen

  23. Cavendish cos i recon he’s sandbagging, Modolo finished 4th last year and he’s young and fast, Farrar needs no explanation, you’d be an idiot not to have someone from BMC after the way they were riding in Tirreno-Adriatico and Gilbert cos he’s the man….

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cavendish
    2. Sacha Modolo
    3. Farrar
    4. Ballan
    5. Gilbert

  24. So, I really have no idea. But I am ridiculously excited nonetheless.I was wondering this morning why I was so excited. I decided that it’s not just because the season is about to properly start. It’s also because the VSP is about to start. If there is one thing better than following a sport you love it is talking loads of bollocks about the sport you love. And the VSP provides the perfect vehicle for talking (via the interweb) an enormous amount of bollocks. So, best of luck to you all and to the riders, let the racing and the bollocks-talk begin in earnest, and a huge shout out to Frank and the other keepers for making this all possible.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Thunder God
    2. Gibbletbert
    3. Daniele Been Naughty
    4. Oscar Fryer
    5. H2

  25. An international TOP 5. I would have added Roger but he doesn’t ride anymore, allthough he still thinks he can win from these amateurs

    Go Phil, he wants to win all classics in his career

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Bennati
    3. Frere
    4. Haussler
    5. Farrar

  26. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert, because the weather will be bad and he’s good
    2. Hushovd, rainbow will represent
    3. Haussler, will just miss again
    4. Goss, on form
    5. Boonen, not quite there

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Hushovd
    3. Haussler
    4. Goss
    5. Boonen

  27. Gilbert will wheelsuck Fabian all the way then jump him like a stinky schoolboy

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Sparty
    3. Hors-leur
    4. Al B Davo
    5. Thor

  28. @brett

    Man, the nickname game is getting serious! I hope you can work out who some of these fuckers are, frank…

    There have been a couple that really had wondering, but I think I figured it out. As a side-note, if you nickname is so far off that I have no clue who you’re talking about, you’re kind of taking a chance.

    When the scoring comes out and you think I buggered it up, just let me know. Piti Principle applies, so don’t go being so vague you get to change it to the winning pick every time. G’Phant is watching you.

  29. @Ron

    Can’t wait for the race! I’m still in the Czech Republic and for some reason being in the same time zone, and this close to Italy, makes the race just a little bit more exciting. I’m scheduled to head back to the U.S. in a few weeks, just before Ronde and P-R. Hmm, should I delay my flights?

    I was in NL once over the weekend of de Ronde. I didn’t make the trip down and still regret it. You have time, you have a good rail system. Go watch the race, mate.

    @all
    For those of you who have truncated results (only the top two picks getting entered) please email us with any information you can provide that might help us track down what went wrong.

  30. Hmm… Thunder God in for White Line Fever

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Heinrich HouseOnFire
    2. Oscar Fryer
    3. CavenDish
    4. Gilbert
    5. I ain’t no HushPuppy

  31. frank:
    @Harminator
    Alright, you got me. First one I really can’t get. Al B Davo?

    He would have been referring to Allan Davis – a nice dark horse

  32. @all
    Here are some time conversions for those of you on the side of the planet that matters:

    Start Time:

    10am CET (Europe)
    5am EDT (USA)
    4am CDT (USA)
    3am MDT (USA)
    2am PDT (USA)

    Earliest Coverage (SteepHill.tv):
    2:15pm CET (Europe)
    9:15am PDT (USA)
    8:15am PDT (USA)
    7:15am PDT (USA)
    6:15am PDT (USA)

  33. I’m giving Faboo a wildcard, he can win it if he’s good, but I think that Freire seizes the day once again for two reasons: He’s in good shape and the Rabobank has all their riders rolling.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Freire
    2. Hushovd
    3. Boonen
    4. Ale-Jet
    5. Faboo

  34. Correction: had forgotten I kinda liked Davis in a sprint.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cantchapartacus
    2. God of Thunder Rainbows
    3. Giblets
    4. Double H
    5. Allan Davis

  35. I think the sprinters will have at it, and if that’s the case, Cav is going to win it again.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. CavenCAN, AGAIN, PLEASE, Dish
    2. Farrar
    3. God of Thunder
    4. Haussler
    5. Friere

  36. I have no idea how this will play out but can’t wait to see it. I have such tranquil sensations when I see the riders make the sharp left onto the descent of the Poggio.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Thor
    2. Boonen
    3. Gilbert
    4. Haussler
    5. Pfaffs About With Extra Sunnies

  37. Slight change, Haussler will probably be faster than Ale-Jet.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Freire
    2. Haussler
    3. Boonen
    4. Hushovd
    5. Faboo

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