Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: La Vuelta a España 2013

The Long Sock Brigade hits the Angliru.
The Long Sock Brigade hits the Angliru

Seriously. Is it almost September? This was not the agreement, this was supposed to be an endless summer. And all you A-Holes down there in the Antipodes are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, enjoying longer days and shorter nights. I don’t need to tell you where you can take that, but it’s dark and it smells. I have no patience for the changing of seasons when it means I’m going to be benching Number One and busting out the headlight.

I’m not going to lie to you; the Vuelta is my least-favorite race of the year. Part of it is the parcours-it’s hard enough to get excited about flat sprint stages in the Tour, but these stages in central Spain that go down a straight freeway for hours are just too much for my brain to find interesting. Hey look! There’s another shrub! Wasn’t he a President at one point? There will be some redeeming points of the race, I’m sure, and the shit-steep climbs they dot along the route are certain to be highlights of the season. But after you do the math, this is the grand tour with the weakest field, the worst route, and-most damning-the strongest signal that Summer is coming to an end on the half of the world that matters.

I can’t be bothered to sort out the route and what stages are going to matter, but I’ll tell you this: for the last few years, the winner of the Vuelta VSP has won the VSP GC. A few years back, @Marcus complained that he only lost the VSP because @Nate used the second Rest Day Swaps to his advantage to take the win, but after heavily increasing the penalties, he kept losing. Typical of a man who posts photos of his todger on a Cycling site. (@Nate, your win was clean according to the VCI.) Speaking of which, at worst the Vuelta will distract from Pat McQuaid and his bid for losing the UCI Presidency.

He has a strong lead in the 2013 Anti-V competition, however.

Check the start list, get your picks in, and don’t Delgado this baby; it could be your ticket to the shop apron. Bon chance.

[vsp_results id=”26944″/]

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484 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: La Vuelta a España 2013”

  1. That lead photo must be ‘shopped, Wiggins would never get out of the saddle.

  2. Here in the Antipodes it is still cold, 5c last night whilst I was doing my hill repeats, but yes the sun is with us a bit longer each days and that holds forth promise.

    I haven’t usually followed the Vuelta that closely but last years was probably the best tour of the year. Watching Bertie, J Rod and Valverde hammer each other was great racing. Looking forward to this years, it looks like an interesting parcours.

  3. No surprises here.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibbles
    2. J-rod
    3. Hey now
    4. Urangitan
    5. Malmerde

  5. VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibbles
    2. J Rod
    3. Valverde
    4. Slammy Sammy Sanchez
    5. Henao

  7. Here we go again!  Now I just need to figure out a way to view it from Oz …

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Rodriguez
    3. Valverde
    4. Henao
    5. Betancur

  10. VSP PICKS:

    1. Vincenzo Nibali
    2. Joaquim Rodriguez
    3. Alejandro Valverde
    4. Samuel Sanchez
    5. Sergio Henao

  11. Fuck me, that Geox kit is most horrible, especially the socks. And JJ Cobo, a doper, what has he done since winning the Vuelta? I implore you, ladies and gentleman of the jury, for his socks alone he should have been banned.

  13. VSP PICKS:

    1. vincenzo nibali
    2. joaquim rodriguez
    3. rigoberto uran
    4. daniel martin
    5. sergio henao

  15. @Daccordi Rider

    Here in the Antipodes it is still cold, 5c last night whilst I was doing my hill repeats, but yes the sun is with us a bit longer each days and that holds forth promise.

    I haven’t usually followed the Vuelta that closely but last years was probably the best tour of the year. Watching Bertie, J Rod and Valverde hammer each other was great racing. Looking forward to this years, it looks like an interesting parcours.

    Agree, colder and wetter, the further south of Adelaide, you go, days starting to get a bit longer here @frank so soon no need for the Ay-Up’s.

  16. VSP PICKS:

    1. NIBALI Vincenzo
    2. URAN Rigoberto
    3. KREUZIGER Roman
    4. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin
    5. SCARPONI Michele

  17. @Gianni

    Fuck me, that Geox kit is most horrible

    Better than the Androni Giocattoli kit though

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Purito
    3. Dan Martin
    4. Uran
    5. Betancur

  18. I would like to add that with my usual VSP divining powers, I may as well have typed Merckx, Coppi, Sharapova, Lendl and Beckham.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Dan Martin
    2. Nibali
    3. J-Rod
    4. Valverde
    5. Edwald Boassen Hagen

  19. I saw a magic marble on the side of the road – it spoke to me and muttered something… indecipherable.  I think it was drunk.  Anyway my picks.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. J-Rod
    3. Uran
    4. Valverde
    5. Dirty Sanchez

  20. Fuck it, need a hail mary to get anywhere near the overall so I’m shooting for a fairytale farewell for Euskatel.

    Can’t stand to consider Malmerde & I don’t reckon Nibbles will absolutely flay himself with a chance at a home ground world champs around the corner.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Dirty Sammy
    2. Purito
    3. His Nibs
    4. Don’t dream it’s over
    5. Dan Martin

  22. @Barracuda

    @Daccordi Rider

    Here in the Antipodes it is still cold, 5c last night whilst I was doing my hill repeats, but yes the sun is with us a bit longer each days and that holds forth promise.

    I haven’t usually followed the Vuelta that closely but last years was probably the best tour of the year. Watching Bertie, J Rod and Valverde hammer each other was great racing. Looking forward to this years, it looks like an interesting parcours.

    Agree, colder and wetter, the further south of Adelaide, you go, days starting to get a bit longer here @frank so soon no need for the Ay-Up’s.

    All in good time for our take on a Spring classic, the Dirty Dozen. Either of you keen for some Five & Dime action on election day?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Dirty Sammy
    2. Purito
    3. His Nibs
    4. Don't dream it's over
    5. Dan Martin

  23. hmmm, VSP code don’t like no apostrophes.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Dirty Sammy
    2. Purito
    3. His Nibs
    4. Don’t dream it’s over
    5. Dan Martin

  25. In other words, no idea – whatever he said…..

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Valverde
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Henao
    5. Uran

  26. (I’m liking some of the more challenging picks to map)

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Henao
    2. Nibbles
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Sammy Sanchez
    5. Uran Uran Uran Uran Uran Uran

  27. Vsp Picks – I dont mind the Vuelta to much, usually the best looking race but thia year with 11 or something summit finishes its going to be a leg breaker!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Rodriguez
    3. Uran
    4. Martin
    5. Valverde

  28. I’ve Delgadoed a couple of times this VSP and in my dreams could have been a contender.  Earliest picks I’ve submitted so far.  Or is @dancollins running away with this?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. HENAO Sergio Luis
    2. RODRIGUEZ Joaquim
    3. BETANCUR Carlos Alberto
    4. NIBALI Vincenzo
    5. MARTIN Daniel

  30. Will Uran toe the corporate line and work for Henao?  La Vuelta is certainly the “third” grand tour and with so many competing races lacks the identity of the Giro and Tour but it is still a grand tour so I’ll be watching as much as I can.

    Nibbles is the best in the race but I think he’ll hold something back for the Worlds.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquim Rodriguez
    2. Vincenzo Nibali
    3. Sergio Henao
    4. Dan Martin
    5. Sammy Sanchez

  31. Hope we get some coverage way down here in NZ…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Uran
    3. Rodrigues
    4. Dan Martin
    5. Valverde

  32. Not simple, is it?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Uran Uran
    2. Nibbles
    3. Carlos Alberto Bed and Cure
    4. Purrrrito
    5. Crowded House

  33. VSP PICKS:

    1. Uran Uran
    2. Carlos Alberto Bed and Cure
    3. Purrrrito
    4. Crowded House
    5. Purito

  34. VSP PICKS:

    1. Uran Uran
    2. Carlos Alberto Bed and Cure
    3. Purrrrito
    4. Crowded House
    5. Valverde

  36. Had to do some adjustments, forgot that Nibbles will only warm up for the WCC in Florence and probably isn’t even gonna finish. Those days are over.

  37. VSP PICKS:

    1. J Rod
    2. Henao
    3. Nibbles
    4. Valverde
    5. Dan ‘the smile’ Martin

  39. VSP PICKS:

    1. J Rodriguez
    2. V Nibali
    3. R Uran Uran
    4. C Betancur
    5. A Valverde

  40. I’ll join the swelling ranks of Velominati who think Nibbles will either bail out or take it ready ahea of the World Champs and throw in Benat Intxausti despite his hairy legs. That man is a stranger to Rule #33 but goes up hills like a scalded cat.

    Loving the Crowded House links with Henao – strong work.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Henao
    2. J-Rod
    3. Intxausti
    4. Dan Martin
    5. Betancur

  42. VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali, V
    2. Rodriguez, J
    3. Valverde, A
    4. Scarponi, M
    5. Kreuzinger, R

  43. VSP PICKS:

    1. valverde, a
    2. rodriguez, j
    3. nibali, v
    4. kreuzinger, r
    5. martin, d

  44. VSP PICKS:

    1. valverde, a
    2. rodriguez, j
    3. kreuziger, r
    4. henao, s
    5. martin, d

  47. What do I know anyway…just hope Valverde doesn’t have another mechanical disaster.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. A. Valverde
    2. J. Rodriguez
    3. S. Henao
    4. D. Martin
    5. B. Intxausti

  48. Ugh, I’ve had Daniel Navarro penciled in as a dark horse to win it, and he isn’t even riding.  What a load of crap.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. V Nibali
    2. A Valverde
    3. Sammy Sanchez
    4. I Basso
    5. D Martin

  49. I am not going to be swayed by the lacklustre prep article on La Vuelta.  To my mind last years race was the best Grand Tour of the 3 and Berties solo break on stage 17 will stay with me forever as a stunning cycling moment….shame the cameras missed it.

    For me Jrod is forever tactically flawed, he just seems to fall asleep at critical times or does not seem to recognise critical moves.  Valverde looked very strong in TdF so has to be my pick.  I think Nibbles will hold back for the Worlds.

    Torn between Crowded House (Hey Now) and Martini (Any time any place anywhere) The others are a gamble on who is fresh vs who is in form…in other words I have fucklies clue about who is in frame for points!

    Cultural reference below for those too young or not cool enough to remember!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Valverde
    2. Kreuziger
    3. JRod
    4. Nibbles
    5. Henao

  50. Hard to see Nibali cracking the top 5.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. J Rod
    2. Henao
    3. Sammy Sanchez
    4. Valverde
    5. Dan Martin

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