Velominati Super Prestige
The Velominati Super Prestige is a season-long competition wherein readers will be submitting their predictions for the top five finishers of each qualifying race. In order to qualify, your picks via the VSP Picks form above the posts section of the VSP Event article pertaining to the race in question by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight on the day of the race start. These articles are clearly marked and are generally posted at least 72 hours in advance of each event. The current leader of the competition has the honor of posting on the site bearing the VSP Leader’s badge; winners of select races (the monuments and Grand Tours) similarly gain the honor of posting with a dedicated badge for the remainder of the year. Prizes may be given for key events; these prizes will be announced on the associated VSP Event. Points will be tallied as the season progresses and the winner will be announced after Paris-Tours. Prizes to be determined.
Scoring (One-Day Races)
Readers who wish to enter shall enter their predictions for the top five placings of each race by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on the day of the race. Regular Points Points will be scored in reverse order of finishing order: 7 points for first place, 5 points for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, and 2 for fifth. Readers will also earn 1 bonus point for every other rider named in the top five, regardless of the rider’s placing, but riders are not scored twice. Tie Breaking In the event of a tie, the first reader to submit their predictions will be named the winner.
Scoring (Grand Tours)
Readers who wish to enter shall enter their predictions for the top five placings on General Classification of each Grand Tour by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on the day of the first stage or prologue. Points Points will be scored as follows based on the final G.C of the race: 20 points for first place, 15 for second, 10 for third, 7 for fourth, and 5 for fifth; plus 3 points per rider in the top five regardless of the rider’s placing, but riders are not scored twice. Changing of the Picks* Contestants are allowed to make line up changes on one of the rest days of the Grand Tours but not both. These changes will come with a point penalty. You will be allotted one (1) rest day to make swaps in grand tours; you may pick either the first or second rest day. The penalties for swapping will be lower for the first rest day than the second. This will allow you to swap out a rider(s) who gets caught in some first week nervousness with a 5 point penalty for each swap. Or make some go for broke/doomed to fail break-away swap on the second rest day for a 10 point penalty for each swap. That’s it. You make one swap or five on either rest day for the corresponding 5 or 10 point penalty per swap. Additionally, if one of your riders crashes out, DNF’s, or DNS’s, you may swap them out on a rest day with corresponding penalties if you haven’t already used up your one rest day swap. Tie Breaking In the event of a tie, the first reader to submit their predictions will be named the winner. Minor Stages We will be posting VSP’s for minor stages as well. Scoring is similar to one-day racing, except no bonus points are in play for getting the rider in the wrong placing.
Scoring (Minor Stage Races)
Readers who wish to enter shall enter their predictions for the top five placings on General Classification of each Minor Stage Race (less than three weeks) by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on the day of the first stage or prologue. Regular Points Points will be scored in reverse order of finishing order: 10 points for first place, 8 for second, 7 for third, 5 for fourth, and 3 for fifth; plus two bonus points per rider in the top five regardless of the rider’s placing, but riders are not scored twice. Tie Breaking In the event of a tie, the first reader to submit their predictions will be named the winner.
Posting Badges
The following badges will be worn by current leaders of the competition and sub-competitions:
| Overall Super Prestige Leader: |  |
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| Milano Sanremo: |  |
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| VVomen’s Ronde van Vlaanderen: |  |
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| Men’s Ronde van Vlaanderen: |  |
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| Paris-Roubaix: |  |
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| Leige-Bastogne-Liege: |  |
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| Giro d’Italia Leader: |  |
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| Giro Rosa Leader: |  |
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| Tour de France Leader: |  |
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| Vuelta a Espana Leader: |  |
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| Giro di Lombardia: |  |
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| Overal Super Prestige Lanterne Rouge: |  |
2016 Velominati Super Prestige Schedule
Les Hommes
Start |
End |
Event |
Race Website |
| 18.03.2017 | 18.03.2017 | Milano-Sanremo | www.milanosanremo.it |
| 26.03.2017 | 26.03.2017 | Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields | www.gent-wevelgem.be |
| 02.04.2017 | 02.04.2017 | Ronde van Vlaanderen – Tour des Flandres | www.flandersclassics.be |
| 09.04.2017 | 09.04.2017 | Paris-Roubaix | www.letour.fr |
| 16.04.2017 | 16.04.2017 | Amstel Gold Race | www.amstelgoldrace.nl |
| 19.04.2017 | 19.04.2017 | La Flèche Wallonne | www.letour.fr |
| 23.04.2017 | 23.04.2017 | Liège-Bastogne-Liège | www.letour.fr |
| 05.05.2017 | 28.05.2017 | Giro d’Italia | www.giroditalia.it |
| 04.06.2017 | 11.06.2017 | Critérium du Dauphiné | www.letour.fr |
| 10.06.2017 | 18.06.2017 | Tour de Suisse | www.tds.ch |
| 01.07.2017 | 23.07.2017 | Tour de France | www.letour.fr |
| 29.07.2017 | 29.07.2017 | Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian | www.klasikoa.net |
| 19.08.2017 | 10.09.2017 | La Vuelta ciclista a España | lavuelta.com |
| 08.09.2017 | 08.09.2017 | Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec | www.gpcqm.ca |
| 10.09.2017 | 10.09.2017 | Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal | www.gpcqm.ca |
| 20.09.2017 | 20.09.2017 | Mens World Championship Time Trial | |
| 24.09.2017 | 24.09.2017 | Mens World Championship Road Race | |
| 07.10.2017 | 07.10.2017 | Il Lombardia | www.illombardia.it |
La Femmes
Start |
End |
Event |
Race Website |
| 26.03.2017 | 26.03.2017 | Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields | www.gent-wevelgem.be |
| 02.04.2017 | 02.04.2017 | Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres | www.flandersclassics.be |
| 16.04.2017 | 16.04.2017 | Amstel Gold Race | info@amstelgoldrace.nl |
| 19.04.2017 | 19.04.2017 | La Flèche Wallonne Féminine | www.letour.fr |
| 23.04.2017 | 23.04.2017 | Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes | www.letour.fr et www.pesantliege.be |
| 30.06.2017 | 09.07.2017 | Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile | |
| 20.07.2017 | 20.07.2017 | La Course by Le Tour de France | www.letour.fr |
| 29.07.2017 | 29.07.2017 | Prudential RideLondon Classique | www.ridelondon.co.uk/events/classique |
| 17.08.2017 | 20.08.2017 | Ladies Tour of Norway | www.ladiestour.no |
| 26.08.2017 | 26.08.2017 | GP de Plouay – Lorient Agglomération | www.grandprix-plouay.com |
| 29.08.2017 | 03.09.2017 | Boels Rental Ladies Tour | www.hollandladiestour.nl |
| 10.09.2017 | 10.09.2017 | Madrid Challenge by la Vuelta | lavuelta.com/Madridchallenge |
| 19.09.2017 | 19.09.2017 | Womens World Championship Time Trial | |
| 23.09.2017 | 23.09.2017 | Womens World Championship Road Race |
Standings
[vsp_gc year=”2017″/]
Past Results
[vsp_gc year=”2016″/]
[vsp_gc year=”2015″/]
[vsp_gc year=”2014″/]
[vsp_gc year=”2013″/]
[vsp_gc year=”2012″/]
[vsp_gc year=”2011″/]
2010 VSP G.C.
*The Changing of the Picks rules are designed to promote fair play and keep the competition fun and open throughout the three-week race. Abuse of these rules will be managed through the “Piti Principle”: if we we feel you are attempting to exploit loopholes or otherwise take advantage of the Changing of the Picks rules, we will penalize you by deducting points from your total score. Much like the UCI doping suspensions, the amount of points deducted will be based on how egregious the abuse was.
@Teocalli
I suspect his adrenaline levels were massive. I was going to say “sky high” but opted not to. Just goes to show that a stage and a Tour is not over until the finish line is crossed. His DS said he knew he was ok when he heard him scream. A shout out too – his sunnies stayed in place in his helmet vents – impressive!
1) Shades on….
2) Landing area….
3) Finished the stage…
WOW…
@Shandawg
Maybe he should have been wearing his sunnies for the descent.
As for Alaphillippe…I like this kid. A lot. Really happy to see him winning.
In fact, we’ve had Sagan x 3, G x 2 and Alaphillippe x 2 so far, so that’s a fair chunk of stage wins taken by my favourite cyclists.
Who’s going to win today?
Apparently Alaphilippe wanted to wait for Yates to get up and get going again so he could race him; he said he felt bad about going past someone while they were down.
But his DS told him to go full gas. I think he’d have won the stage whether Yates crashed or not, tbh.
Rule #27 overruled by #5, yet still compliant with #28
@KogaLover
Kinda puts the World Cup foul histrionics into perspective, doesn’t it?
@wiscot
We don’t expect anything less from awesome Belgian dudes like Phil.
@wiscot
Exactly! Since I want to respect the “no-memes” policy, I did not put this one up, but it was the one I was thinking about when I posted the pic above: https://twitter.com/remko_reinders/status/618506452496461824
also this one
https://youwineverythingwithkids.com/2016/11/20/cycling-lessons/
The Sagz crashed, In case he cannot continue, he’ll not be the first one wearing the green jersey and having to have to leave the Tour
2017: Marcel Kittel
2005: Tom Boonen
2003: Alessandro Petacchi
1999: Jann Kirsipuu
1980: Jan Raas
1972: Cyrille Guimard
Per our commentator Sagan will not attend green jersey ceremony and leave immediately after finishing stage for examination to hospital.
@Pali65
He was walking but looked like he was in real pain. The cheeky chappie persona was gone. Here’s hoping he’s just banged up and can continue. If he can’t, whomever “wins” (inherits) the green jersey should do a Merckx and symbolically give the green jersey to Sagan.
@wiscot
Oh, I know! See, I’m one of those artsy progressive types who thinks anyone can have any kind of leg hair they want (Rule #33 notwithstanding). That said, she is currently 8 months pregnant and still somehow Rule #33-compliant, the biomechanics of which baffle me.
@RobSandy
Alaphillippe is fast becoming one of my favourites. Add Degenkolb’s Roubaix win, and hoping Tommy Windmills takes the TT on Saturday, and that’ll be a nice set of five.
Just saw an interview with Sagan, he was in a bit better mood now. Peter said he is glad no camera was on the spot of his crash as he did a somersault not dissimilar to Gilbert’s, fell behind edge of the road hitting his back on some boulder in a ravine. Nothing broken but painful and one leg is limited in movement. When asked if he is thinking of giving up he grinned and with usual cheeky laugh answered: “Are you crazy? No way, just two days or so before the end.”
I’ll be on the road to Paris (hopefully) the next few days and not sure if I’ll be able to get access to a ‘puter on Sunday so it may be Monday before I get the results up unless I can do it from my phone.
On today’s GC Standings @wiscot has it with a total of 9 points from @RobSandy on 4.
@Teocalli
Seriously? I’m in the lead? If that lasts then hell will truly have frozen over!
Kudos today to Sagan for what sounded like a nasty fall. Kudos to Dan Martin. He keeps at it. The top 10 will take it easy tomorrow, but Friday could still see some changes. Bardet is a shite TT man so he might go for it. Thomas might want a wee bit more on Tommy Windmills (love that nickname, btw!) for the TT. If he has a bad one/puncture/bike change and Tommy D has a good one, who knows . . .
Hmm just seen this of a “fan” grabbing GT’s arm as he is going up to the finish to attempt to pull him off and Frame was grabbed by a Gendarme on the way down and pulled off his bike. It’s nuts!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-crashed-by-gendarme-after-tour-de-france-stage/
@Teocalli
They should be ashamed.
Greipel tweeted today about Demare’s “unbelievable” climbing abilities: https://twitter.com/AndreGreipel/status/1022157726863052800
Maybe somebody should tell @GroupamaFDJ and @ArnaudDemare that there is GPS tracking in @LeTour. Chapeau to lose just 9min on a 17 km climb on @NairoQuinCo #notthefirsttime
@RobSandy
Agreed. Boo and hiss all you like, but hands off. As for the Gendarme, WTF? It’s not been a good week for the French police/security forces.
Sounds like Sagan’s crash was a doozy, but no cameras to record the horror a la Gilbert.
@wiscot
I’m no Froome fan, but that’s not cool! Arguably an honest (if totally idiotic) mistake from the gendarme – tackling anyone riding down a hill is a recipe for a lawsuit – but the prick going for Gee is just moronic.
The gendarmerie aren’t proving themselves to be all that capable, are they? So far they’ve caused two GC contenders to crash (one seriously) and asphyxiate the entire fucking peloton.
@Pali65
Tweet sadly removed, and I can’t find an archived version. Re GPS tracking, if memory serves, Démare posted his contentious Milano–San Remo on Strava!
Ouch! Glad you’re smiling! (I guess!)
In reply to ChrisO
http://d7ab823tjbf2qywyt3grgq63.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/ChrisO/2018.07.23.15.01.37/1//ChrisO-2018.07.23.15.01.37-1-IMG_4635.jpg
(must dump cache)
So…I’ve been thinking this for a couple of weeks now but not daring to say it…
Geraint Thomas is going to win the Tour de France.
@RobSandy
I think you’re right. Unless something awful befalls him tomorrow, it’s his win. Two stage wins and a very solid defence of yellow makes him a very deserving winner. I think he had the gods on his side this year: great form, a strong team and good luck – something that has often been against him.
I think Tommy Windmills might claw back 30-45 seconds but no more. Third place is still up for grabs I reckon.
Glad to see Sagan made it today. It sounded like he was in agony the whole way – and what a horrible day to be banged up. He’ll go through the motions tomorrow and then Sunday should see him rightfully claim the green jersey.
@wiscot
I thought it was possible in the first few days when he took a chunk of time on all the other favourites but I stayed cautious. G in Yellow, Alaphillippe in the polka dots and Sagan in Green – that’s a pretty good result for us that like our cyclists charismatic!
Can someone remind me: when did G take the bulk of his time off Dumoulin? Was it stage 1?
@RobSandy
It was stage 6, when I believe Dumoulin had a mechanical with 5k left to race.
@RobSandy
If that’s how the three jersey’s pan out, I’ll be happy, but I’m not sure I’d describe Thomas as “charismatic.” Enigmatic maybe. Frankly, I’m not sure he actually believes he’s in the position he’s in! He’s had so much bad luck and spent so long playing support rider. A top three of Thomas, Dumoulin and Roglic would be worthy.
Saw a clip of Sagan. Man, he was suffering. Such a performance will only make him more popular. Any other sport and you’d be on the DL for weeks.
@Rick
Spoke broke.
Just saw agonised Tommy D throwing off the (wrong) cap that his soigneur put it on his head. Tommy’s mad because Roglic benefited of the motard.
@KogaLover
Ah, that is correct. Unfortunately for Tom D, mechanicals and unintentional moto drafting are a part of the sport. Roglic can’t be blamed for drafting since he had no choice. Also, it is difficult to blame the moto because it is difficult to get out of the way.
Roglic got a benefit but everyone in the peloton knows that trick. Roglic was the one who attacked but Tom D had the same opportunity.
@Rick
Yes, the stage to Mur de Bretagne. Could Tom D have won the Tour without that mechanical? Very possible.
Too many motos. If the UCI were interested in stopping moto-drafting or moto related crashes they’d do something. But clearly, they are not.
@RobSandy
Without motos there would be limited or no TV coverage.
@Rick
It’s worth noting that when Roglič had gained a gap of about 10 seconds, they put a camera moto in front of the Dumoulin group as well. David Millar went nuts about it on the ITV commentary, from a safety more than a drafting standpoint, so he was very bemused when Dumoulin had a moan after the stage.
@mulebeatsdrums
Thanks for the info. I think Tom D’s frustration was misplaced.
@Rick
Yeah, same. He was in a much better mood after the TT today.
Despite Sky’s continued dominance of the TdF, this has been a rather surprising race. Congrats to G Thomas, who I am glad is the winner if it has to be Sky.
Things that were predictable:
Porte crashing out.
Dan Martin attacking for no apparent reason. He has, however, been named the super combatant for this year’s edition of the TdF.
Sagan winning the Green Jersey. This was not without some drama, however. Kudos to Peter for enduring what must have been a massive sufferfest on Stage 19.
Team Movistar’s lack of results while working for three captains. This never works out but they did capture the team classification.
Fan’s negative reaction to Team Sky.
Surprises:
Lawson Craddock finishing. This year’s Lanterne Rouge was first in courage! This is why cycling is special.
G Thomas winning yellow. This was a surprise to all VSP contestants, who are unusually astute cycling fans.
Primoz Roglic, who looks like a potential TdF winner in the future.
Egan Burnal who looks like a potential multi year winner at the TdF.
Tom D’s prowess in the mountains. I expected him to do well but also expected him to get dropped at least once on the steep pitches. But for a broken spoke in the first week, he might have been the winner.
I am sure that I have missed a few on both sides.
Vive le Tour!
Got to Paris OK with one mechanical – more in Rides later. Got home in the early hours this morning, managed to get a decent position on by the Arc de Triumph so will load some photos later.
Congrats to @Wiscot who held on to his breakaway as the rest of us fell back in the heat. @Wiscot I will PM you re the spot prize.
TdF results – at least it shows that this year was anything but predictable – or that we are mostly collectively shite!
and Standing post Le Grand Boucle….@Rick still holding a length or two from @RobSandy
https://www.amazon.com/Lanterne-Rouge-Last-Tour-France/dp/1681771365/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532943733&sr=8-1&keywords=lantern+rouge
Well that was fun…
All get your pick in for this weekend.
Details here
Photos from Paris……..
@Teocalli
How the hell did THAT happen? I thought my picks were pretty generic.
I have to say I enjoyed this Tour – especially the second half. A lot of great rides and incidents. A few “well, what ifs?” GT is a deserving winner. No-one came close. I’m not moved by much these days but you could really see what this meant for GT on the podium. He started on the bike at the most basic level and has had an incredible career.If he can get through a Tour with the kind of luck he had this year (and that hjas been absent previously, he could win more.
Doumoulin will get a Tour win one of these days. Froome handled things with class I thought. That being said, next year will be interesting as Thomas and Froome will likely be on Sky’s Tour squad. Will the road be allowed to decide? Nice to see Chavanel getting the honor of being first on the Champs as a mark of respect. Kudos to Sagan for finishing – and Craddock too! Quintana is a stage winner, not a Tour winner.
@Teocalli
Wow! Awesome photos, thanks for sharing!
@Teocalli
I’m in Norway on holiday and about to head to the mountains, so I shall get my picks in early. Going to be tough to bridge to Rick at this stage but I’ll try!
1. Alaphillippe
2. GVA
3. Adam Yates
4. Bernal
5. Roglic
@RobSandy
The race isn’t over, anything can happen. Enjoy your holiday!
PS. I assume if there are mountains your trusty steed will be accompanying you.
San Sebastian:
1) Valverde
2) Roglic
3) Alaphilippe
4) D Martin
5) A Yates
@Cary
oops. Dan Martin isn’t on the start list, so:
1) Valverde
2) Roglic
3) Alaphilippe
4) A Yates
5) Gallopin
@Teocalli
Enjoyed your Great pics!
Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian
1. Julian Alaphilippe
2. Primoz Roglic
3. Greg Van Avermaet
4. Mikel Landa
5. Adam Yates
San Sebastian
Valverde
van Avermaet
Roglic
Wellens
Bernal
San Sebastian
-Landa
-Mollema
-A. Yates
-Valverde
-Roglic