Velominati Super Prestige: Mens World Championship Road Race 2012

Camenzind barely had the energy to celebrate in ’98. Photo: Bettini Photo

I’m quite upset about it, actually, all this racing that’s been going on in perfectly good weather. Vlaanderen, dry. Roubaix, dry. We were nearly guaranteed shit weather with the Olympics in London, but even then, only the women got to get all Rule #9 on our asses – and only for one race. Damnit, I want Epic, and if we keep insisting on riders getting off the juice, all the Epic is going to have to come from other places like pouring rain and freezing cold.

Its a good thing, then, that Valkenburg was picked for the Worlds, because that almost guarantees bad weather. Last time it hosted the race the weather was complete crap. Its also just hilly enough that I think any of those sprinters who are pretending like they’re going to finish at the front are huffing too much DuMonde Tech. Boonen might be able to hang with the leaders into the finish, but I’d hardly call him a sprinter anymore, now that it dawned on him that people get hurt and seasons ruined in those big bunch gallops.

My money’s on good weather though, because the weather is forecast to be good here in Seattle and assuming it will be the same halfway around the world in Dutchland seems easier than looking up the local forecast.

You know the drill, picks close at 5am on Sunday in Pacific time, and if you can’t figure out what that means, just put your picks in before the countdown timer goes to zero. Also note that the spam filter is feeling a bit peckish these days and has a tendency to gobble up people’s VSP Picks; don’t be alarmed, your picks are getting into the system nevertheless and The Keepers are monitoring the queue for posts to approve everyone to disagree with.

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.

View Comments

  • @wiscot

    Really happy Phil Gil won. Still perplexed at my late switch taking out Valverde and putting in Rodriguez. Both Vos and Phil Gil won the WC the way it should be won - with class and panache. Chapeaux!

    I followed you on that swap.  I briefly saw the posts about the upset stomach and foolishly believed that to mean Valverde wasn't riding.  Great late attack from Gilbert to take it though - I'm happy to see the rainbow jersey on his shoulders for next year.  I just hope he doesn't rock the white bibs along with it, but I have a feeling that he will.

  • @Frank:  What say you about your Golden Boy Tom wearing shoe covers yesterday?  As the temps didn't classify as cold, is this a blatant Rule 23 violation (and why silver?!)?  It doesn't bother me a bit, but I guess to be fair, if Big George is to be chastised regularly, then Tornado Tom should as well.  Notice the gears these guys are turning while conversing in an absolutely Casually Deliberate fashion.

    THIS is how you fire the guns off in an attack!

     

  • Great race! I was so pumped I pulled out a WC Campagnolo jersey I have, which I picked up long before my Velominati days, and rode for a few hours with a pal. It shall now be returned to the bottom of my drawer until next year...

  • @VeloVita

    @wiscot

    Really happy Phil Gil won. Still perplexed at my late switch taking out Valverde and putting in Rodriguez. Both Vos and Phil Gil won the WC the way it should be won - with class and panache. Chapeaux!

    I followed you on that swap.  I briefly saw the posts about the upset stomach and foolishly believed that to mean Valverde wasn't riding.  Great late attack from Gilbert to take it though - I'm happy to see the rainbow jersey on his shoulders for next year.  I just hope he doesn't rock the white bibs along with it, but I have a feeling that he will.

    Glad I wasn't the only one who made a foolish swap based on crap info!

  • @Tartan1749

    @Frank:  What say you about your Golden Boy Tom wearing shoe covers yesterday?  As the temps didn't classify as cold, is this a blatant Rule #23 violation (and why silver?!)?  It doesn't bother me a bit, but I guess to be fair, if Big George is to be chastised regularly, then Tornado Tom should as well.  Notice the gears these guys are turning while conversing in an absolutely Casually Deliberate fashion.

    Rule #23 Violation" width="451" height="600" />

    THIS is how you fire the guns off in an attack!

     

    Maybe it was a shoe sponsorship thing. Tommeke's not one for the shoe covers as a rule, except in foul weather. Sunday's weather wasn't bad at all. Shades of Spartacus' covers all year? I think so. Phil Gil looked like he was wearing his special Belgian-themed DMT shoes. Whatever, Boonen's shoes were three strap with no ratchets or twist adjustments. Any idea who makes them?

  • @Tartan1749

    @Frank:  What say you about your Golden Boy Tom wearing shoe covers yesterday?  As the temps didn't classify as cold, is this a blatant Rule #23 violation (and why silver?!)?  It doesn't bother me a bit, but I guess to be fair, if Big George is to be chastised regularly, then Tornado Tom should as well.  Notice the gears these guys are turning while conversing in an absolutely Casually Deliberate fashion.

    Rule #23 Violation" width="451" height="600" />

    THIS is how you fire the guns off in an attack!

     

    Those are awful - his feet look like they're auditioning for a 1960s sci-fi film.  This turns my stomach as Tommeke has always looked so classy on the bike.

  • I like those DMTs Gilbert was wearing. I'd like to try those, and some Bonts, since with each ride of my Ergo2s I get closer to finally giving up on them & deciding numb feet/toes isn't worth it. Oh, I also got some new soccer cleats. They're Pumas and have the anatomical foot shape, much like Bonts. A bit of getting used to but after a few wearings they are awesome.

    What gruppo was Fast Phil using yesterday? Looks kind of like Dura Ace shifters but I'd thought he mainly used Campagnolo? Maybe that was before BMC...

    And why was Boonen the only one in the tricolor helmet?

     

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