Which bold rider has this stage circled in their tour bible? Wednesday July 18th, Stage 16, 197 km. The day after a the final rest day. A climbing day with two HC climbs followed by two Category 1 climbs and a serious descent toward the finish. The Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde: you better be a fearless climber and a good descender, but a better climber. This is not a stage for Sagan or Fränkie Schleck (sorry Frank). If Wiggo was going to have a bad day, this would be a special one to have it on. And this follows a rest day? Could the weather finally make a difference? Will the mad tacker return? Will climbers just try to survive this stage to perform on the fearsome Stage 17? More questions than answers in the Velominati Super-Bunker.
All VSP bettors better give an extra shake of the monkey bones before casting them down. Study them well. There is much at stake: Fizik R3s for the winner, 2 pair of DeFeet socks for first loser. The rules are the same as for the first single stage VSP. Points are awarded for correct place only. Delgado might have enjoyed this stage but don’t be like him.
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@Chris
I think it is illegal to lock your kids in a room these days, so only option is to lock ones self in a room
Good luck with the TT - I shall have to get out too, as I am sure the nervous exhaustion will prevent sleep otherwise
Enjoy the carnage
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Pinot
3. Nibali
4. Rolland
5. Van Den Broeck
Speaking of Climbing - I got my first Strava KOM last night. "I was flying!"
VSP PICKS:
1. TJ Vanvandervanden
2. Cuddles
3. Nibbles
4. Vroome
5. Mrs. Viggins
Or not...
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Nibali
3. Evans
4. Van den Brocke
5. Wiggins
Movistar needs to do something. Kudos to Sky for being so dominant, but some teams just haven't showed up in any way whatsoever. I'm also loving that French youth is being served. Pinot and Rolland are both incredible talents and are receiving the attention they deserved. Rolland's miscue after Evans punctured means he won't be let go again, but Pinot is fantastic. Also good to see FDJ draw some results...
VSP PICKS:
1. da Costa
2. Pinot
3. Nibali
4. Evans
5. Van Den Broeck
@Cyclops Do you have a steep driveway or something?
VSP PICKS:
1. wiggins
2. froome
3. nibali
4. cadel
5. tejay
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Evans
3. Wiggins
4. Froome
5. JVDB
@Cyclops
Congratulations, but don't make us add a new Rule about bragging about your Strava segments.
Should you elect to violate the V-Meter Principle and ride with a computer or HRM and log your rides on Strava, you will refrain from discussing your results. This is akin to discussing HRM zones and power data; should be feel absolutely compelled to do so, it better be in reference to the biggest, most hotly contested climb in your neighborhood and it better not be anything other than 1st place.
@marko
+1
When I was much younger, I saw Jaromir Jagr play in his first NHL season and thought "Man, this guy is going to be GOOD." Sagan looks the same way now, especially given his power in the mountains for somebody who is supposed to be just a sprinter.
Having said all of that, I have exactly no clue how this stage is going to end up, but could use some new shoes...
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Froome
3. Kessiakov
4. Wiggins
5. Sagan