Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France 2013
The early eighties saw the tide change in the European Peloton. Components were taking on a new, curvy shape as they left their boxy forms behind. The glint of toe clips in the sun would become a rarer sight as the move towards clipless pedals would take hold in 1985. English speakers were winning the big races classically won by continental Pros.
The 1984 Tour could be my favorite edition of the race. In 1983, the rookie Laurent Fignon had won in the absence of Le Patron, Bernard Hinault. The 1984 race saw the two go head-to-head, with Fignon becoming the one and only person in history to have laughed at Hinault and lived. He did more than live, he won. The new guard was here, and they were making their presence known.
This photo is from the stage to l’Alpe d’Huez. LeMond was riding in support of Fignon, and Robert Millar, in his second Tour, was leading the King of the Mountains competition, which he would eventually win. Millar wrote an account of this stage in Issue 13 of Rouleur, which everyone should make an effort to find a copy of. He describes the attacks that come fast and furious on the penultimate climb in such vivid detail, it makes my guns ache. But worse than that is his and LeMonds effort to hold on to Fignon and Hinault’s wheels in the ride through the valley to Le Bourg d’Oisans and the base of the final climb. It is the perfect description of the suffering of the Cyclist. LeMond, in service to his leader, is on the front one moment as he reels Hinault in after an attack, before being cast into the gutter and the back wheel a moment later when the next attack comes.
Just as 1984 was a watershed moment in the Pro peloton, 2013 is a watershed year for the VSP. This year we are offering five amazing prizes from five amazing partners.
Prizes
First prize is a Veloforma Strada iR road frame, painted in an exclusive Velominati color scheme with the newly-designed Velominati Super Prestige logo. Please note that this is a brand-spankin’ new frame for Veloforma. The geometry can be reviewed here.
Second prize is a pair of Café Roubaix carbon tubular wheels. The winner of this prize will be given the choice between the sub-1000g Haleakala wheels or a road version of my beloved Arenberg wheelset. As an additional incentive, anyone who enters their picks in the Tour VSP will get a $200 discount on any wheelset at Café Roubaix.
Third prize is a pair of Bont cycling shoes. The winner of this prize will be assisted in selecting the size, color, and model of shoe.
Fourth prize is a Flandrian Best kit from DeFeet consisting of a wool U-D-Shirt, Arm Skins, Kneekers, Slipstreams, and a pair of V-Socks.
Fifth prize is a wool jersey from our Keepers Tour tour partners, Pavé Cycling Classics.
Many thanks to each of our sponsors for providing such exciting prizes.
Rules
Enter your picks for the top five riders on G.C. by the time the countdown clock goes to zero; Grand Tour scoring rules apply. Check the mapping of your picks by the end of Stage 1 and use the dispute system should it be mapped incorrectly.
We will be enforcing Piti Principle rules much more closely. We will be accepting pick disputes through the start of Stage 2. After that, it will be at The Keepers’ discretion as to whether or not we allow the dispute. If your pick is ambiguous and we map them to the wrong rider, make sure you check your disputes before the deadline; we may reject the dispute after that time. For example, should both Tony and Dan Martin take the start and you enter “Martin” as your pick, we will pick one for you and you will have to live with it if you forget to dispute it before the deadline.
Good luck, and Merckxspeed.
Update: This is the same paint scheme that the winner will have, except the VSP Winner’s Badge will be replacing the V-Lion.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Veloforma/”/]
[vsp_results id=”24179″/]
I may have to wedge my motor in front of Franks gate, and demand ownership of that beauty.
Marc Madiot not digging todays stage…
What a Tour de farce start that was. Really hope clenbutador is all ok for my vsp picks :)
This will be the only time I update the standings for three weeks…
Provisional Race Results
1. KITTEL Marcel
2. KRISTOFF Alexander
3. VAN POPPEL Danny
4. MILLAR David
5. TRENTIN Matteo
Provisional VSP Standings
1. brett (3 points)
2. Curtis Smith (0 points)
3. RedRanger (0 points)
4. San Tonio (0 points)
5. R.J. (0 points)
6. Bianchi Denti (0 points)
7. DerHoggz (0 points)
8. Mikael Liddy (0 points)
9. Stuart Johnson (0 points)
10. scaler911 (0 points)
…
340. B Lin (0 points)
Awesome. I’m in 27th place, that’s the highest position I have ever been in!! I’d take that right now….
Actually I’m in joint 2nd place…even better! The frame is as good as mine…
@Tobin
I don’t think French conveys anger well. Can we see a German’s response (not Kittel though)?
@DerHoggz
I apologize in advance…
@brett Aussie team screws up the finish, Aussie keeper takes the honours in the first stage. The influence of the keepers is insidious and spreading.
@frank
I WILL have one (wether I win it or not). Yes I will……….
Short Merckx interview from The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/29/eddy-merckx-this-much-i-know
@frank
V-nice! Looks quite Cervélo-inspired – looking forward to the ride report once it’s built-up!
@ten B
If you look at the geometry, it is very close to the Cervlos that’s I’ve loved for so long, but without their club-cyclist head tube!
Actually the frame is based on the RCA, but with a shorter head tube, stronger and stiffer carbon (the Cervelo, I’ve learned, is basically an eggshell with a lovely paint job), and different head and seat tube angles to improve handling and comfort.
Based on the CCX I’m riding (and I’m leaving for a week to ride it in the gravel in the mountains), I have high expectations. Stand by once its built up.
I’m also getting some killer Café Roubaix race wheels for it. Can’t WAIT!
Reminder: Check the mapping of your picks by the time the Stage tomorrow starts; if your picks are not mapped correctly, dispute them! I will be at our discretion as to whether we allow any further disputes after Stage 2.
Im wondering whether the Penguins of Madagascar where in charge of stage one? Lets hope King Julien isnt in charge on stage two
Guess who’s the most up to date bus driver in the world!
Geez 20 minutes to back up the bus! 20 seconds if the Badger was there!
Orica bus driver sent home in disgrace:
Jeez, Frank! You are stockpiling the bikes these days. Will this be the new #1? And, am I allowed to ask what gruppo this will get, or do we wait and see?
The trouble with all the new bikes you have is going to be deciding which one to ride!
The said on Eurosport that the Orica driver was an Italian and owned up to it. My VMH reckoned that he should have showed up and offered his resignation, not forcing their hand to fire him. Seems like he’s staying.
Stage 1. It seems like with global weather, “natural” disasters, and sports, everything is getting more and more crazy. Yesterday certainly was crazy. The Stanley Cup last week was crazy, 2 goals in 17 seconds? Everything seems to be getting more and more strange these days…
@Ron
From what I read, the gantry is lowered after the caravan comes through, and officials had told the bus driver to pull under it, so it wasn’t their fault.
usually steephill.tv is a good source for streaming races but not this year…
@frank Where did the R3 break? did you consider getting it repaired?
@Ron, @RedRanger
All in due time.
What a rad finish – Little Makelants really dished it out! What a ride! Perfect display of defiance; while the big “experienced” riders in the group sit and look at eachother because that’s what experienced riders do and he walked off with the lead!
Aces. He’s also using every opportunity to kiss those girls.
Here are the results for today and the top ten for the Le Tour VSP, donuts all around:
@Sauterelle
If you didn’t already have the +1 badge, I’d give it to you for that. Keep it for another week!
@meursault
Eddy is also a bit of a closet LA fan too, sadly.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/eddy-merckx-winning-the-tour-de-france-without-doping-is-possible
@frank
Ill try to be patient. Not easy to do when it comes to bikes. Enjoy that gravel! and the cooler weather I assume you guys are having.
It hit 109 here yesterday. Ill have to wait till Wednesday the soonest to get some riding done.
@strathlubnaig He’s been out of the closet on that one for ages. They’re fast friends, in fact. Or were, anyway.
@frank
That will crush your Cervelo! Oooohhhh. That is a nice winner’s logo!
haha, I love that I’ve managed to move up a spot without scoring a point…
@frank
@Patrick
What I meant to say was…
Woah – that’s lush!
@Mikael Liddy
Now that we have sent brett packing to the gruppetto we all move up!
The other Scot Millar has some interesting things to say, and more to come apparently…..
Could have another Aussie bus stuck at the 2016 TdF!
Drapac sets sights on 2016 Tour de France
I would have posted this over in the Giro Rosa thread, but as it goes on to explain, that post would likely have received nearly 100 times less attention…
http://www.moniquehanley.com/2013/07/what-worth-womens-cycling.html?m=1
@Mikael Liddy
My Monday morning maths isn’t quite up to scratch, make that 1,000 times less attention.
@frank
That’s a freaking awesome looking frame. So last night we had our Downtown Criterium and there was a girl on a Veloforma that beat all the guys in her group in the bunch sprint. I went to talk to her because of the Veloforma and she was super nice and just gushed about the bike. Turns out she is a pro named Kat Carr so that’s why she beat up on the boys. I love when other guys get “chicked”.
Ah, didn’t realize this new frameset was a replacement for a damaged bike, Frank. My mistake. I thought suddenly you were stockpiling bikes and was wondering when you were going to find the time to ride them all.
As much as I love new bikes, it’s also nice to find that sweet spot where the ones you have are dialed in, Silent, and all up, running, and in good form. Can be fun to get new stuff, but can also be nice to just ride, ride, ride and not be building or tinkering. But then again, there is always something that needs a tweak or a lubing, kinda like life!
Stage 3 is absolutely beautiful – we’ll done Corsica – still 50 km to go
WTF is Pierre Rolland wearing? He looks worse than some of the clowns running alongside him on this climb.
Nice work orica greenedge!!
@eenies
Agreed. Way too much polka dot!
Prepare for a shitload of smug Australians…
@mouse
Smug Aussie reporting for duty sir. That was some move from Impey getting he & Gerro up the inside of the Cannondale boys.
@eenies
+1. Unbelievable. Worst violation of Rule #15 I have ever seen. What was he thinking? He even had dots on his helmet. Still, not a bad effort on the last climb.
And, as an Aussie, I’m feeling pretty damn smug.
@Mikael Liddy
+1 Hell of a ride at the end there, with plenty of others not able to really get their trains together, BMC for one.
Oh and yes… another Aussie here, suitable smug. Or at least, very happy for the team.
gah, suitablY
@geoffrey
Earlier this year on the Ridley used team bikes site they had an advert for a Helium that went something along the lines of “Ridley Helium, 40% off retail. Size XS. Polka dot colour scheme. Used once”
What the hell are Tony Martin and Geraint Thomas made of? I’d be in bed for the duration with the chicken soup and the prescription painkillers after that sort of battering. Aliens.
Oh and cycling in 110f out here at the weekend? Not such a great idea. The last descent felt like riding into a blast furnace.
Curiously @Paulo seemed completely fine with it….madness.
While Bakelandts victory salute was not the greatest, I’ll forgive him as a) it was his first PRO win b) he surely couldn’t see straight or breath.
But, then he went and totally redeemed himself with the post-race interview that I saw on Eurosport. He answered the questions well, told you what he was actually thinking (not an easy question to answer, mind you), gave you some great insider info on what went down and didn’t use a single fucking cliche. NFL and NBA fuckfaces, take note!
Way to go, Gerro! One of my favorites, as I’m the exact height and weight. Still an impressive sprint from Sagan only two days after crashing hard. I don’t see him getting shut out through July 21st.