How much more fun would this weekend's cyclocross worlds be if Las Vegas were tapped into the acquired European taste that is cyclocross?

In the other big event this weekend, Pittsburgh is a touchdown favorite over Arizona.  The over/under is about 46.5.

(The official Etna Brew/DeSalvo prediciton is to avoid betting the point spread and to bet the under.)

Here's the odds you can get across the pond for the elite men's race at 'cross worlds:

Lars Boom    2.38 
Sven Nys    3.00 
Zdenek Stybar    8.00 
Bart Wellens    21.00 
Erwin Vervecken    23.00 
Francis Mourey    29.00 
Enrico Franzoi    41.00 
Sven Vanthourenhout 41.00   
Radomir Simunek    67.00   
Christian Heule    101.00 

Do these odds originate in Holland?  Boom is the best at peaking for specific events, even Sven Nys says this.  But Nys is smoother, more efficient, and more consistent.  In my book, he's the odds-on favorite.

But what if we could bet some sort of over/under?  If Vegas were involved, not only would Tony Soprano be in constant phone contact with Erwin Verveckin's soigneur, but we'd also have an over/under of about 2.5 on the number of times Niels Albert's knee contacts the ground during the race.  There would be odds on someone named Aernout, Vanthourenhout, or Vanthournhout leading the race through the finish line at the end of the first lap, something like 3-1.  And sadly, there would be odds on the lantern rouge of the race, with some unlucky North American surely the favorite for that distinction.

Should be good fun.  Remember to set your alarm if you're on the left side of the Atlantic, and that way you can get a nice square breakfast of Belgian waffles and strong coffee while watching cyclocross, long before your Stupor Bowl-watching friends even contemplate rolling out of bed.

Today, I was a hit with the fans.  Beginning with the first lap of the final Redding cyclocross race today at Shasta Dam, I was recieiving enthusiastic and loud shouts of "go Green Handlebar Tape Guy!"  It was great.  It's great to know the fine people of Redding, California appreciate the high fashion that is neon green.

Matt Dooley attacked late in the race and held off the horde of Owen's Health guys for the win.