Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France 2013

millar-lemond
Robert Millar leads Greg LeMan on the road to l’Alpe d’Huez in 1984

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″/]

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1,667 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France 2013”

  1. VSP PICKS:

    1. Christopher Froome
    2. Alberto Contador
    3. Ritchie Porte
    4. Joaquim Rodriguez
    5. Alejandro Valverde

  2. @Deakus

    Tough one to call but I suspect/hope that BMC, Tinkoff, Katusha and Astana do a deal and work Sky over a bit…unpatriotic I know but at the end of the day it’s about exciting racing, not just cycling uphill sat down at 400W..

    I’d buy that for a dollar!

    Being 100th and traditional, piss those radio’s off and Power Watt Up meters and have some real, read the road/bunch racing!

    I like the concentration in the south east of the TdF stages.

  3. @sthilzy If Sky are working purely to metrics then you cannot win in the final stages.  The opposing teams need to disrupt them early on in the mountain stages….send someone threatening up the road and make the Sky domestiques chase, attack from the off, this has a chance of disrupting the Sky Train or sending their data analysts in to caniptions, the only other way is for the spaniards to dish out vicious attacks at key points on the climbs, but  the issue is that Froome is not as once paced at Twiglet so this may be less successful….

  4. @frank

    @Daccordi Rider

    If Porte goes top five, it will confirm what I already know: Sky is the new Postal/Discovery and I’d feel cleaner licking a junkie’s needle than one of Sky’s…ok my analogy is falling appart and I’m afraid to continue for fear of getting really weird.

    Hows about I try this tact: If they’re clean, then so are all the junkies down in Pioneer Square in Seattle…

    @starclimber Still don’t know who you mean? No stress, just can’t fucking map that shit. I’m too dense.

    While I don’t disagree that Sky does look a little too good to be true, Porte’s shown pretty solid GC credentials ever since coming on the scene in the 2010 Giro & is progressing as you’d expect for a maturing GC rider in his mid to late 20’s…

  5. @Deakus

    @sthilzy If Sky are working purely to metrics then you cannot win in the final stages. The opposing teams need to disrupt them early on in the mountain stages….send someone threatening up the road and make the Sky domestiques chase, attack from the off, this has a chance of disrupting the Sky Train or sending their data analysts in to caniptions, the only other way is for the spaniards to dish out vicious attacks at key points on the climbs, but the issue is that Froome is not as once paced at Twiglet so this may be less successful….

    Froome’s natural climbing ability & acceleration to counter attacks had me hoping we wouldn’t see the Skybots doing their imperial death march up the climbs this year but if the Dauphine is to be taken as the dress rehersal then that’s exactly what we’re in for.

  6. Chapeau Keepers, has the frame been tested for my Sprinters physique?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Chris Froome
    2. Alberto Contador
    3. Cadel Evans
    4. Dan Martin
    5. Pierre Rolland

  7. @frank

    @mouse

    @frank

    @Daccordi Rider

    If Porte goes top five, it will confirm what I already know: Sky is the new Postal/Discovery and I’d feel cleaner licking a junkie’s needle than one of Sky’s…ok my analogy is falling appart and I’m afraid to continue for fear of getting really weird.

    Hows about I try this tact: If they’re clean, then so are all the junkies down in Pioneer Square in Seattle…

    @starclimber Still don’t know who you mean? No stress, just can’t fucking map that shit. I’m too dense.

    That’s a bit rough @Frank.

    Everyone knows that only Americans and Europeans dope.

    I stand corrected.

    Honestly, though, what do I know. I’d love to believe. Honestly, nothing would make me happier. Its just that the last 15 years has taught me that the stench of rotten fish usually means someone took a dump on my plate.

    What’ya mean? someone like a penguin?

    Excellent mixed metaphor. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m just much more stupid and gullible and so am happy to believe that everything is just peachy again.

  8. The only thing I’m sure about is Saxo, Euskaltel, Katusha and Movistar ganging up for the Spanish Inquisition, but here goes…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Froome
    3. Pierre Rolland
    4. Van Garderen
    5. Valverde

  10. So many of the same picks so thought I’d try a little left of centre (or center for the North American Velominati) thinking..

    Can’t really see Evans doing much other than starting well and then fading fast.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Van Garderen T
    2. Froome C
    3. Rodriguez J
    4. Martin D
    5. Contador A

  11. Sorry to twist the thread, although it is Tour related –

    I’m pilgriming this year to France and am following the last 10 days of the race in person (look for a skinny Kiwi at the Dutch corner drunkenly falling in front of the gruppetto second time up D’Huez).

    I need to hire a decent bike when I get there to give the Alps a good sorting out. Can ANYONE advise on where I could get a bike in the Pay de la Loire region? Nantes, Tours etc? Would be hugely grateful.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Porte
    3. Evans
    4. Froome
    5. Quintana

  12. @frank

    @mouse

    @frank

    @Daccordi Rider

    If Porte goes top five, it will confirm what I already know: Sky is the new Postal/Discovery and I’d feel cleaner licking a junkie’s needle than one of Sky’s…ok my analogy is falling appart and I’m afraid to continue for fear of getting really weird.

    Hows about I try this tact: If they’re clean, then so are all the junkies down in Pioneer Square in Seattle…

    @starclimber Still don’t know who you mean? No stress, just can’t fucking map that shit. I’m too dense.

    That’s a bit rough @Frank.

    Everyone knows that only Americans and Europeans dope.

    I stand corrected.

    Honestly, though, what do I know. I’d love to believe. Honestly, nothing would make me happier. Its just that the last 15 years has taught me that the stench of rotten fish usually means someone took a dump on my plate.

    Jesus, this whole above conversation is just plain good for my soul!  Couldn’t agree more although I also couldn’t have said it more “elegantly”.

  14. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Richie Porte
    4. Teejay Van Garderen
    5. Cadel Evans

  15. @James Cadel Evans could well be finished with his at that stage, give him a shout….

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Chris Froome
    2. Alberto Contador
    3. Cadel Evans
    4. Dan Martin
    5. Pierre Rolland

  16. VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Froome
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Evans
    5. Van Garderan

  18. After a right royal eff up missing the Giro’s VSP it’s time to pick up the pieces.  As usual voting with my heart (mostly) not my brain which suggests that Murdoch’s men will rule again…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cuddles
    2. Dan Martin
    3. Froome Wagon
    4. Rolland
    5. Clenbutador

  20. I predict Porte will become team leader after a run of bad luck and crashes for Froome…..

    Should be entertaining in any event.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. porte
    2. contador
    3. van garderen
    4. hesjedal
    5. valverde

  21. Green: Cav, Kittel, Sagan

    White: Quintana, Pinot, Van Garderen

    Polka: Quintana, Rolland, Dan Martin

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Chris Froome
    2. Nairo Quintana
    3. Richie Porte
    4. Thibaut Pinot
    5. Joaquim Rodriguez

  22. VSP PICKS:

    1. C. Froome
    2. C. Evans
    3. J. Rodriguez
    4. A. Contador
    5. T. van Garderen

  23. @strathlubnaig

    @strathlubnaig

    @the Engine

    PPS – Was delighted that Rock & Road were represented in the race today

    Who was that ? Got to say, there were a serious amount of either DNF or OTL and some well known names in there too. The 6 minute gap to the first chasing group alone was huge. I guess the mean streets of No Mean City proved a tough challenge for all. Pity I was stuck out here keeping the Western Economy afloat.

    I just read 21 finishers out of 160 at the start, is that a record ??

    I read somewhere that they pulled the main bunch when they were in danger of being lapped.  Wasn’t a true DNF for most of those folks…

  24. Damn. Go away for a weekend and this gets sprung. it’s going to take me a week to work out weather anyone else has already chosen the same picks. Any sad coding types already knocked up a spreadsheet or the like to work that out?

    @frank and the Keepers, you’ve excelled yourselves with this one. Hors catégorie.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Joaquim Rodriguez
    3. Thomas De Gent
    4. TVG
    5. Porte

  26. If I have chosen wisely, I’m a genius. If not, I remain back of the pack fodder. So I’m good to go either way. Good Cadel, shine one more time for me.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cadel Evans
    2. Richie Porte
    3. Alberto Contador
    4. Joaquim Rodriguez
    5. Jacob Fulgsang

  27. My heart says Cuddles, but I think Teejay will top-5 while Froome and Sky survive some relentless attacking by the Spaniards.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Valverde
    4. Porte
    5. van Garderen

  28. Green – Peter Sagan

    White – Tejay Van G

    Dotty – Ryder Hesjedal

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Chris Foome
    2. Richie Porte
    3. Tejay Van Garderen
    4. Andrew Talansky
    5. Thomas Voeckler

  29. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Evans
    4. Rodriguez
    5. Uran

  30. @Fred

    @strathlubnaig

    @strathlubnaig

    @the Engine

    PPS – Was delighted that Rock & Road were represented in the race today

    Who was that ? Got to say, there were a serious amount of either DNF or OTL and some well known names in there too. The 6 minute gap to the first chasing group alone was huge. I guess the mean streets of No Mean City proved a tough challenge for all. Pity I was stuck out here keeping the Western Economy afloat.

    I just read 21 finishers out of 160 at the start, is that a record ??

    I read somewhere that they pulled the main bunch when they were in danger of being lapped. Wasn’t a true DNF for most of those folks…

    Most of the national events in Europe were similar in terms on non-finishers. The Belgian championships had 17 finishers, and 24 in the Dutch.

    Either because they’re on shortish circuits where people get lapped or just pull out because they have missed the break or dropped from the bunch.

  32. VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquim Rodriguez
    2. Alberto Contador
    3. Christopher Froome
    4. Richie Porte
    5. Tejay Van Garderen

  33. These are the ones

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Pinot
    5. Valverde

  36. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Evans
    4. Porte
    5. Van Garteren

  37. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Evans
    4. Porte
    5. Van Garderen

  38. yeah, Frank, sky is loaded

    which begs the question why one sky rider is apologetic for winning last year and will not even defend his/the jersey??

    VSP PICKS:

    1. froome
    2. cuntodor
    3. Tejay will dismay
    4. J-Rod
    5. Porte for sport

  40. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Teejay Vangarderen
    4. Quintana
    5. Thibaut Pinot

  41. well, here goes nothing. I wish JRod would be the ultimate beneficiary from the impending Spanish alliance, but something tells me Contador has been laying in wait, ready to show Froome how Le Tour is really won.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Froome
    3. Tejay
    4. Valverde
    5. Porte

  42. VSP picks. Ready to lay down some V!!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Evans
    3. Porte
    4. Hesjdal
    5. Contador

  43. VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Van Garderen
    4. Porte
    5. J Rodriguez

  44. VSP PICKS:

    1. Alberto Contador
    2. Tejay Van Garderen
    3. Christopher Froome
    4. Joaquim Rodriguez
    5. Ryder Hesjedal

  46. in case it doesn’t show up, my picks:

    contador

    evans

    sagan

    van garderen

    VSP PICKS:

    1. froome
    2. contador
    3. evans
    4. sagan
    5. van garderen

  47. @actor1 SHOULD READ:

    -1/froome, 2/contador,3/evans, 4/sagan, 5/van garderen

    VSP PICKS:

    1. froome
    2. contador
    3. evans
    4. sagan
    5. van garderen

  48. le centieme! just watched La Course En Tete to provide further inspiration. As The Prophet will not be rolling up to the starting line, these are my picks:

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Alberto Contador
    2. Christopher Froome
    3. Tejay van Garderen
    4. Joaquim Rodriguez
    5. Nairo Quintana

  49. VSP Picks:

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Hesjedal
    2. Rodriguez
    3. Valverde
    4. Froome
    5. Uran

  50. Lovely prizes, keepers – chapeau.  I think this could be a bit of a vintage tour, really.  I could have picked another five or six names at least that I wouldn’t be surprised to see pack out the top five.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Froome
    2. Contador
    3. Evans
    4. Quintana
    5. Porte

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