Ok, ok, settle down now people. Take your seats please. You’re all a little bit on edge, like some cycling Gamblers Anonymous group that’s been let out for the weekend with a pocket full of bills and the name of the nearest bookie. But in your excitement, you managed to crash our server, delaying the fix you so desperately crave.
But wait no more. You’ve warmed up on the gateway races, now it’s time for the hard stuff, as grimy, rough and unadulterated as the roads of Flanders themselves.
You see, there’s this bloke I know who knows a bloke, hangs around the Velominati bike sheds, seems to know a bit about the racing game. Reckons he’s got a sure bet for the weekend. A cert. A dead-set shoo-in. Number 1 in Race 3 of the VSP at Flanders. Fella reckons you could put your left one on it. Absolutely Faboolous or something he’s called. He’s got form (and, judging by the way he shelled the nags on last week’s card, possibly a motor). But word is there could be a late plunge on the other fella, Boom Boom Boy, so maybe a bob each way might be the way to go. I’d watch out for those not-so-roughies though, the likes of Gilbert, Devolder, Ballan and Thor will be waiting to pick up any leftover chaff and could steal away the win, leaving you as frustrated as a one-legged man at an ass-kicking contest.
So what’s it gonna be then? Take the sure thing, or the other sure thing, or throw a dart at the board and hope it sticks? It’s time to study the form guide, search the dark recesses of your soul, throw out any logic, and pencil in your picks on the ticket provided at the bottom of the comments. Whether you’re canny, savvy or just plain tinny, the coveted Obey The Rules bumper sticker is waiting. Is your bumper worthy?
The only thing for certain is that bicycle racing will be the winner on the day.
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This can't be right. I'm banking on Chavanel making a break stick. But how does Pippo not show since he's basically bolted onto Gilbert's wheel in every race? And how do Chav and Gilbert outspring Sagan and Haussler? So much talk of Spartacus breaking everyone's soul"”and it is great sport to watch"”but I'm betting the other way. Would love to see Boonen win this, but I just don't see it.
VSP PICKS:
1. Chavanel
2. Gilbert
3. Sagan
4. Herr Heinrich
5. Spartacus
Okay Tyler let's go for the win this week!
VSP PICKS:
1. The Wenatchee Kid
2. Fabio "I can
DAMNIT. I hit enter by mistake (stupid lazy American fingers) and it submitted and locked them in, and now I only have two spots.
Am I fucked? Yes I am.
What the hell, I'll list the rest here, and maybe I can get a jersey for most stupid made up names.
1. The Wenatchee Kid
2. Fabio "I can't believe it's not butter" Cancellara.
3. The God of Thunder
4. Thanks Manx
5. Boom-shakalaka
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Hincapie
3. Boonen
4. Hushovd
5. Goss
The favourites are obvious. They are allgonna be marked out of the race. The break will go and will succeed. Ah, but which break!!!
VSP PICKS:
1. ballan
2. maarskant
3. hammond
4. roulston
5. stannard
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boonen
3. Gilbert
4. Flecha
5. Thor
Purloined from the comments at Inner Ring: an interview with Museeuw after he climbs De Muur on a city bike. Everyone but Frank, click on the closed captioning to get the english.
ok, i love spartacus, and think really he will win, but i love the underdog. Given the weather forecast, hoping for rain, that may not be spartacus' cup o tea...so, here goes a salvo boys!
VSP PICKS:
1. Flecha
2. Boonen
3. Gilbert
4. Cancellara
5. Ballan
Needed to pick a Top 10 for this race really, too many good riders that have not even had a mention. Hopefully the cream comes to the top & we get a great race. Garmin-Cervelo alone could provide 5 of the top ten on paper!
Radioshack will be pumped after Rosseler's win in 3 Days of dePanne. Sagan, Pippo,& on & on, hopefully it should be a good race!
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Boonen
3. Haussler
4. Flecha
5. Gilbert