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.
@RobSandy
You may have just, unwittingly, provided me with an excellent excuse not being the quickest up the mountain that day. I thank you.
Turning back to the altogether more serious business of racing for a moment; is there anything more Anti-V than pulling out of a Grand Tour for anything other than severe injury or sickness?
Rohan Dennis has just pulled out of the Vuelta to focus on the ITT at the World Championships. Perhaps riders should only be paid win bonuses etc. after they’ve crossed the line on the final day.
@chris
I feel similar about Chris Froome riding the TOB and just rolling around at the back.
@RobSandy
I can’t quite picture a stick insect rolling around.
Unless, of course, its whilst trying to mate with a light bulb.
@RobSandy
Yeah, Froome and GT basically used the ToB as an end of season wind-down ride. Not to diminish their achievements this season, but a bit more effort might have been nice. I’m assuming they got starting money?
That was one tough finish today. Quintana’s hopes toasted.
@Teocalli
What a great stage. Happy for Woods, and glad that Yates held on to the overall lead. Regarding Quintana, I think this cartoon says it all:
@Rick
Great cartoon!
@Teocalli
@RoisDeLaPedale On twitter posts these great cartoons in real time during the race. The TdF has its own artist, @davidbuonomo, who does the same. I recommend for anyone inclined to tweet or follow. These guys really understand cycling and their cartoons are very entertaining.
Not for the squeamish: pics 21 and 22 here: http://www.steephill.tv/2018/vuelta-a-espana/photos/stage-17/ Poor Fabio. A bad Vuelta and then he has to finish the stage with his dignity barely intact. (Which is about the same as can be said for his bibs.)
Pinot for the Worlds?
@chris
@chris
Cipo’s career was based around doing the first week of the Tour wasn’t it? So there’s a long and possibly ignoble tradition, but that’s often the case with the Vuelta. Seem to recall Cav pulling out too, or am I confusing that with the Olympics.
As for The Second Transgression as it shall henceforth be enigmatically known, are we supposed to guess what it might be?
An inside-out pair of bibs perhaps?
Valverde cracks should be game over but the rest of the podium still up for grabs.
The gap closed on Rick but he holds on in fine form…….
So a second mug on the way to Rick
leaving overall standings….
Dang – GP de Plouay tomorrow! Open for picks 5 for a quorum……….http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gp-de-plouay-2018/start-list/
Ah shit, no it isn’t I missed that too! Sorry things happening my end to distract me somewhat.
Next event will be
Sunday, 16 September 2018 Madrid Challenge by la Vuelta
Then the Worlds.
@ChrisO
That’s weird, I had the same thought………..
@Teocalli
Errr, that’s today!
@RobSandy
Balls – my email explains.
Just to keep the balance – Pedro Delgado article
Folks Picks open for The Worlds. I think my brain is back in gear (see email explaining to those whose email I have).
I propose we do the following to give anyone a chance of catching Rick. More likely to allow Rick to steamroll us even further! Though if this last week is anything to go by I’ll completely scramble my spreadsheet and screw the whole thing up.
Picks open till (all times UK)
ITT women Midday Tues 25th
ITT Men Midday Weds 26th
Others Midnight Fri 28th
Meh?!
Women’s ITT
Annemiek van Vleuten
Katrin Garfoot
Anna van der Breggen
Ellen van Dijk
Amber Leone Neben
Men’s ITT
Rohan Dennis
Tom Dumoulin
Tony Martin
Michal Kwiatkowski
Victor Campenaerts
Women’s RR
Anna van der Breggen
Elisa Longo Borghini
Katarzyna Niewiadoma
Amanda Spratt
Annemiek van Vleuten
Men’s RR
Bauke Mollema
Julian Alaphilippe
Peter Sagan
Sonny Colbrelli
Michal Kwiatkowski
I’ll get all me picks in soon, but one footnote to La Vuelta and Yates. Every day, every interview, every podium – a proper cap. Bless him. On the final podium, Yates and Mas wearing proper caps, Lopez? Some abomination. Setting the standard – if only others would follow.
@Teocalli
Time trials‽ Whatever next‽
I was about to launch straight into my picks, but there are no published startlists yet, so I’m going to ruminate a few more days :)
Seemed like a good idea at the time……..
@Teocalli
Going to make us work for it, eh? I’ll use the weekend to figure out picks that won’t make any difference!
Women’s TT
Van der Breggen
Van Vleuten
Ellen van Dijk
Lucinda Brand
Trixi Worrack
Men’s TT
R. Dennis
T. Domoulin
B. Jungels
M. Bodnar
V. Campenaerts
Women’s Road
Van Vleuten
Moolman-Pasio
C.U. Ludwig
Amanda Spratt
Van der Breggen
Men’s Road
Alaphilippe
Roglic
Kwiatkowski
Miguel Lopez
A. Yates
OK, here goes with my picks …
Women’s TT:
1 Van Vleuten
2 Van Dijk
3 Brand
4 Van de Bergen
5 Worrack
Men’s TT:
1 Dumoulin
2 Dennis
3 Tony Martin
4 Kiryienka
5 Campenaerts
Women’s RR:
1 Van der Bruggen
2 Van Vleuten
3 Moolman-Paiso
4 Niewadoma
5 Borghini
Men’s RR:
1 Nibali
2 Alaphilippe
3 Roglic
4 Kwiatkowski
5 Sagan
I need to check all of these are riding but………
Womens ITT
Vos
van Vleuten
Spratt
Moolman-Pasio
D’Hoore
Mens ITT
Roglic
T Martin
Dumoulin
Campenaerts
R Dennis
Womens RR
Moolman-Pasio
Spratt
van Vleuten
van der Breggen
Blaak
Mens RR
Alaphilippe
Roglic
Mas
Lopez
Yates
@chuckp
# 4 should be Van der Bruggen. F*ing auto-correct!
Anna Van der Breggen. Both for the women’s TT and RR. FFS what’s wrong with me???
men’s elite RR:
1) Sagan
2) Alaphilippe
3) Bardet
4) Kwiatkowski
5) Roglic
men’s Elite TT:
1) Dennis
2) Dumoulin
3) T Martin
4) Roglic
5) Campanaerts
All my picks in one handy table.
@Teocalli
Let me know if you can’t read this. Looks fine to me!
Women’s ITT
Van Vleuten
Van Dijk
Van der Breggen
Neben
Brand
Men’s ITT
Dumoulin
Dennis
Kirienka
Schachmann
T Martin
Women’s RR
Van der Breggen
Van Vleuten
Borghini
Van Dijk
Bronzini
Men’s RR
Alaphilippe
Valverde
S Yates
Roglic
A Yates
@RobSandy
Got it.
Huh. Though my repost screwed up your nice table!
Women’s ITT
1. van Vleuten
2. Brand
3. van der Breggen
4. van Dijk
5. Spratt
Women’s RR
1. van der Breggen
2. Moolman
3. van Vleuten
4. Borghini
5. Spratt
Men’s ITT
1. Dumoulin
2. Dennis
3. Campenaerts
4. Tony Martin
5. Kwiatkowski
Men’s RR (pains me to not have Sags as #1)
1. Alaphilippe
2. Roglic
3. Sagan
4. Kwiatkowski
5. Bardet
The Worlds – ITT Women
van der Breggen
van Vleuten
Simmonds
Moolman-Pasio
van Dijk
The Worlds – ITT Men R Dennis T Martin Dumoulin Campenaerts Bodnar
The Worlds – RR Women Moolman-Pasio Spratt van Vleuten van der Breggen H Barnes
The Worlds – RR Men Alaphilippe Roglic Mas Bardet A Yates
Ah bollocks, pretty sure I’ve Delgadoed the Women’s ITT. I defer to the ruling of the commissaires, but in the hope they take pity on me:
Other picks TBD!
WORLD CHAMPS
Men’s ITT:
There’s still no official startlist for the Road Races…?!?
Ok, here goes nuttin’.
Mens TT
Dumoulin
Dennis
Castroviejo
Bodnar
Tony Martin
Men’s RR
Simon Yates
Julian Alaphillipe
Roman Bardet
Adam Yates
Tiesj Benoot
@mulebeatsdrums
I hope this site is not far out.
Chazbot, this is so frustrating. In London for the whole week and missing all of this great TV watching… Chose the wrong week for having a team offsite. Yesterday clean Dutch women ITT sweep apparently!
ITT men
Tom Dumoulin
Tony Martin
Dennis
Quiet Cough Ski
Jungels
@Teocalli
Sweet. I think AVV might win the RR too. She’s an animal.
@RobSandy
She definitely has it in her, but then so do AVDB and a couple others on the Dutch squad. I’m foreseeing a potential lack of cohesion and we’ll just see a repeat of the European Champs in Glasgow where they’d get one rider in the break, and the others leading the chase in the pack.
Definitely the strongest riders, but I’m not sure if that’ll definitely work in their favours…